David Kawena’s London Memories
August 2007 marked a year for Madonna’s “Confessions Tour” first stop at London’s Wembley Arena, and MadonnaTribe longtime friend and contributor David Kawena was lucky enough to be there to see this amazing show for the second time.
He sent us these nice memories, 40 amazing unreleased pictures from the show, and a brand new, amazing artwork to celebrate this anniversary so special to him.
“Hello dear tribers, about a year ago, I published my memories (here on the tribe) of the amazing experience I had in Cardiff, Wales, where I finally got my chance to see the queen live for the first time. I was in heaven after all that happened to me, I don’t think I need to explain it here -again- what it is for a fan to see Madonna for the first time, and from the first row! It was Madge-ical! But, that was not the end…
The day after the show, and after the best night sleep I ever had, I rushed up to the train station in Cardiff to go back to London. No matter how fast I ran I missed the train I was going for – but as they say, there are coincidences in life – and as I got to station, waiting for the next train to come, I saw 2 guys sitting on the bench. One of them looked at me, smiled and asked “did you enjoy the show last night?” referring to the golden confessions tour balloon I was holding, and the confessions merchandise I was wearing and holing in my confessions tour begs (I was all Madonna!) – “Oh my god!” I answered, and from that moment I couldn’t stop talking about it! The guy introduced himself as Neil (aka andifeel from the tribe forums), and his friend Burak. We talked for a while, and then Neil asked me if I’m going to the show on the 1st, in Wembley Arena… I said, “No, I don’t have a ticket 🙁 I wish” – “I can get you a ticket” Neil said, and I was like “hhhhaaa” , we realised we were to go on the same train, and Neil said, “come sit with us”.
The ride back was the most fun I’ve ever had! I’ve never spoke so free and openly with total strangers, I guess that’s how it is with us Madonna fans, we’re all one big family. We talked about Madonna, (duh) the show, my drawings, the millions of copies Neil buys of every Madonna CD and a lot more! (to Burak if you’re reading this, I’m still not flexible enough to what you suggested! 😉
Before Neil and Burk got off the train, Neil took my Email address, and said he’ll see what he can do about finding me a ticket to the show – “You came all the way from Israel, who knows when you’ll be able to see her again in the near future?!” he said to me and I was so hyped up about the fact I may have a chance to see Madonna again, as it wasn’t even in my wildest dreams that I’ll get so lucky…
Late that day when I got to house of the woman who had me as a guest at her house, I opened up my mail to see a massage from Neil, directing me to ticket master, where he found the best seat ever, right in the front rows to side, where Madonna performs “Like A Virgin”, right to the side of the cat walk. When the day came along I met Neil and Burak again, and also wonderful Sharon (wannabe) and Tony (tonybecks) – Although I missed Madonna being there to uncover her hand print on the floor, but it didn’t stopped me from being so excited – I’m gonna see the show again! As time went by a lot of fans were outside the Arena, buying all of the merchandise – this is where I really got to see “THE FANS”, people were dressed up like Madonna, with outfits inspired by the confessions album… All of a sudden there was a little commotion to the side, we went to see what the big fuss is all about and I saw the greatest fan girls out there, dressed up as Madonna from different eras and they were fab!!!
Then they opened the gates and it was time for us to get inside the Arena – it was very small comparing to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, an stage was very close to the floor, so that was fantastic. Also I was about to see the show from a whole new point of view and that was so amazing! I was looking through the audience to see the fans and Neil pointed out for me to look in front cause no other then (the amazing) William Orbit was sitting a row in front of us! then the show began and what a spectacle of a show was that! During “Future Lovers” as Madonna spends most of her time in the front catwalk, with her back pointing at me, I took the time to view the stunning video backdrops of this song – this is by far one of the best videos ever produced for one of Madonna’s tours, along side with RIT’s Bedtime Story. During “Get Together” where Madonna lays own on the floor, she was right there in front of me, I could literally reach my hand and touch her! I yelled something at her, I think it was in Hebrew, don’t really remember, and she smiled at me! If you ever got to be lucky enough to have her smiling at you, you know what I was going through 😉
“Like a Virgin” and “Jump” were fantastic… I really LOVED “Live To Tell” and “Forbidden Love” a whole lot more this time around, as she was really close to us. “Sorry Interlude” was more impressive in Cardiff as there I was able to view all the video screens, but “Ray Of Light” this time was phenomenal! To all Madonna’s dancers, especially Cloud and Mihran (you know I love you guys) but even though you do all the dance in this number and Madonna ‘only’ plays the guitar, she was the most energetic thing on stage during this number! She was heaving fun with the song and rocked so hard, maybe because William Orbit was there 🙂
When the song ended I looked over to see if mister William was heaving fun, and was sweaty as hell( see the picture), apparently he jump of joy through the whole song!
“Erotica/You Thrill Me” was amazing! I LOVE this version of the song so much! This time around, thanks to my great standing place, I really got to see the whole dance routine, and I fell in love with Madonna and Jason’s dancing! They looked so awesome, so flowing… As a result of I had to draw something out of it 🙂
The last thing I remember was during “La Isla Bonita” where I had a funny moment with Monte Pittman, a for a second or 2 I was looking at him plying the guitar, and he saw me, and he pointed his tongue out, smiled and winked at me – that was very funny! From that moment I don’t really remember more specific details, aside from screaming “time goes by so slowly” to Madonna’s microphone that was pointed at us…
The show was over, and I had the most incredible experience together with the Cardiff show, and it was all thanks to Neil (Love ya man!), and god… I’m so happy I missed that first train to London…
On my way back to train station (again) after the show, some people sold some posters of the show, and I was out of money, so sweet Burak gave me money to buy one, thank you so much dude. I said good bye to Neil and Burak and got on my way to try and finding the right train back to Kent, where I was staying, I was so lost and dazed because of the show, that I got totally lost and couldn’t find my way around, and it was pretty late, and getting lost in London the first time I’m there at this time wasn’t really what I was looking for, and the few people around me didn’t seen to care for helping… Then I heard someone saying “Hi, what’s up?!” it was the power of Madonna I guess, as Tony (tonybecks) was right there, and he got me on the correct train right where I belong! So a big thank you mister Tony, I don’t know where I would end up finding myself if you weren’t there! 😉
So to finish this one up, I gotta say that for us – Madonna fans – there aren’t a lot chances for actually meeting Madonna herself, not to mentions becoming friends with her (even though some of us wish for that) but through our journey in life, being her fans, we get to meet such wonderful, interesting people, and discovering true friends, some even develop relationships – All these great people we might never got the chance to know without Madonna just being there. I guess that’s what Madonna is all about right?! – Making the people come together.
So, this is the end of the story… I’m attaching the drawing I did inspired by the “Erotica” performance! Also, at the Tribe-A-Pose galleries there are 40 images I took of the first show in Wembley – I’m really proud of them, especially the last one of Hung Up, with Madonna and the dancers on the side and the disco ball screen behind them. I think it’s the best picture I took! 🙂
Keep on Rocking!
A very special thank you to our friend David Kawena.
Click here for his complete 40-image gallery
from the August 1, 2007 “Confessions Tour” concert at the Wembley Arena.
