Counting down the hours….

Thanks to M-Tribe friend Paul for sharing his expectations and his feelings at a few hours from the kick off of the European leg of Madonna’s “Confessions Tour” tonight in Cardiff.

“On the eve of Madonna’s show in Cardiff, my home town, the place where
I was born and grew up, I thought it was time to put pen to paper as it
were and share with you some thoughts and feelings.

I only discovered the Tribe web site a few short months ago… as they announced the news of Madonna coming here, to Cardiff, on her new Confessions Tour.

I first heard the rumour just a few days ago from a friend, who had a friend, who had a friend who did something with Guy Richie. Well, I’ve heard that one before I thought. But as the days went by for some unexplained reason I started to actually believe this was really going to happen.

How, I hadn’t a clue, but with London’s new Wembley Stadium still nowhere near completion and Madonna announcing her tour and to play both smaller arenas and big stadiums, it seemed to come one more step to reality.

Of course, no-one I told believed me.

Needless to say, they were proved wrong when the fax left New York city to the world’s media in April, that Madonna – yes, that Madonna! – was actually bringing one of her amazing shows to my home town.

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, which is part of the United Kingdom, often loses out to big name touring acts which only play
London, or places like Manchester or Birmingham. Obviously they are
bigger cities than Cardiff. But with the outlaying towns of South Wales, the Valleys and even areas of England, there are actually a lot of people that can get here very easily and quickly.

The only other times I have seen Madonna perform live on tour has been in 1987’s Who’s That Girl, 1990’s Blond Ambition and twice in 1993 when
she opened the Girlie Show in London. All of which were at the old stadium.

1987 feels a lifetime away now… and I can hardly remember much about the show except the huge staging and having an amazing experience, likewise the Blond Ambition show. With the Girlie Show I was much nearer the front than before and what made it extra, extra special was that I was at the opening night of the tour, No-one knew what the songs, the costumes, the ad-libs, the music or the staging was going
to be like.

The one thing that will always stand out from that show is the last song – Everybody – one of my all time favourite songs by Madonna. When she appeared at the top of the gigantic stage and started singing I couldn’t believe it.

I think, among the hype of Madonna’s career, there has hardly been any focus on Madonna the musician, Madonna the recording artist. Its all been about image, the shocks (or so-called shocks), the scandals, the lovers, the controversy.

What I like best about Madonna is her music. Her songs have always lifted me up, and made my world a happier place. There’s enough sadness and negativity in the world without having it blasted in our ears by other so-called musicians who have a chip of their shoulder.

It think the message from Madonna to anyone who listens is to go for what you want in life, don’t listen to the detractors, if at first you don’t succeed you get up again… over and over… as she once sang.

Now, on the eve of the greatest and biggest concert Cardiff has ever seen – and that includes other big names from Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, U2, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and many more, I still
cannot quite believe this is happening.

Tonight, for 3 hours, my world will be a perfect place. No wars, no death, no disease.. only dancing, singing and people getting on up and doing their thinging…

Thanks Madonna, for being there, and for the fans I’ve known and met over the years and will meet for the first time tomorrow… and to Madonnatribe for being the best web site in the world. Madonna should hire you guys! Let’s have a fantastic night, get into the groove and set the Millennium Stadium on fire!”