Madonna made her long-awaited debut in London on Saturday for her emotionally moving new Celebration world tour. The tour had been postponed due to a severe health scare she experienced during the summer. During the opening night at the O2 Arena, the 65-year-old singer delivered a performance that was both reflective and joyous. She paid tribute to legendary artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, and Sinead O'Connor, who played significant roles in her own rise to fame.
The performer of "Like a Virgin" also discussed her health issues, describing it as a tumultuous year for her.
"I never thought I would survive, and neither did my doctors. That's why I woke up to find all of my children gathered around me," she revealed.
Madonna had to cancel the initial part of her "Celebration" tour in North America due to a bacterial infection she fought against in June. She admitted to having no memory of five days during that period, unsure whether she was alive or dead. Madonna expressed her gratitude towards her children for consistently rescuing and supporting her in such situations.
"If you're longing to uncover my secret, my journey through adversity, and my resilience, I realized the utmost importance of being present for my children. Their well-being became my driving force," she expressed.
During a poignant moment, the screens of the arena showcased individuals affected by the AIDS epidemic while Madonna soulfully sang verses from her heartfelt ballad "In This Life," featured in her 1992 album "Erotica." Notably, her dear friend, the late artist Keith Haring, was showcased as the performance transitioned to her 1986 hit "Live to Tell."
Madonna performs during opening night of 'The Celebration Tour.'
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
During the "Celebration" event, there were also delightful moments, such as when Mercy James, Madonna's daughter, pleasantly surprised the audience by flawlessly playing the opening notes of "Bad Girl," another track from her album "Erotica."
Madonna's tour was delayed after she was hospitalized in July.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Dancers donned masks and costumes to encapsulate Madonna's most significant career moments, both the ones associated with her chart-topping hits and those that are not. It is important to highlight for Madonna's devoted fans that the tour was not exclusively focused on her popular songs. Lesser-known tracks, such as 1994's "Bedtime Stories," also received great admiration.
The performance showcased magnificent lighting and captivating video effects. Madonna frequently turned her back to the audience, delivering her performance directly to a camera that then projected a flawless representation of her back to the crowd.
In the end, "Celebration" evoked a surprisingly minimalist vibe, with the legendary performer pausing to reminisce about her incomparable professional and personal experiences, as well as the people who influenced her throughout her journey.