The MDNA Tour is nothing short of immaculate and has so many positives, but I do have some constructive feedback on certain elements.
Positives:
Tracklist: Madonna is known for finding the perfect balance between her newer works and iconic classics, and this CD delivers just that. The mix is exhilarating, smooth, and works really well from start to finish.
Visuals: From the opening moments, it's clear how much effort went into the visuals. The backdrops are nothing short of art, perfectly synced to the beats and sonic shifts. The CD manages to capture that atmosphere effectively, too.
Stage Design: The stage was incredibly clever. I honestly think I would pass out if I had tickets to the Golden Triangle! The huge screens, the intricate hydraulic lifts, especially during the first segment-wow, just wow. The motel set after Revolver was particularly interesting, giving the performance layers of depth.
Stage Presence: No surprises here-Madonna absolutely killed it! Especially in the song after Revolver, which felt truly unique. The dancers? They really killed it too, adding energy and intensity throughout.
Crowd Energy: Both the DVD and CD capture the crowd's energy so well. The MDNA chant before the show even starts is goosebump-inducing. Turn Up the Radio might've been the peak in terms of energy, but the finale with Celebration was equally electrifying.
Interludes: The intricate and detailed interludes were practically mini-stories in themselves, adding so much depth to the performance.
Vocals: While Girl Gone Wild and Vogue are 100% lip-synced, I appreciate the live vocals on tracks like Like A Prayer, Celebration, and Express Yourself. The CD does a great job of capturing Madonna's moments of exhaustion, which makes the whole performance feel even more authentic.
BTS Content: Who doesn't love a good behind-the-scenes feature? The DVD/Blu-ray includes "The Workshop," showing how one of the highest-grossing tours of all time came together.
Fashion: Madonna knows how to blend sexy and high-fashion flawlessly. Highlights include the Vogue performance, with each dancer sporting unique outfits, the full-black assassin look in Girl Gone Wild contrasted with priests, and that crystal arm piece in I'm Addicted. The shiny MDNA t-shirt in Celebration was a fun touch, with the dancers wearing headphones showcasing the party atmosphere.
Sonic Changes: I loved how tracks like Girl Gone Wild, Vogue, and Gimme All Your Luvin' were given more energetic, ramped-up versions. It really worked and made the show feel even more dynamic.
Audio Options: The optimization for stereo 5.1 is solid, and for the most part, it works very well.
Negatives:
Vocal Mix: The vocals on both the CD and DVD are often too sharp. The "S" sounds are particularly jarring when listening with earphones or headphones, and it can be uncomfortable. I get that it's probably optimized for home theater systems where sharp sounds bring rawness, but balancing it for all mediums would've been ideal.
Audio Mix: I was confused by the compression of certain details like drum beats, synths, and background elements. In tracks like Revolver, the audience noise is so loud that the vocals are pushed forward, but the beat gets lost in the mix. It does create an immersive experience, but it reduces the overall thrill since the beat doesn't contrast well. Songs like I'm Addicted felt sonically underwhelming during the chorus. Also, the bass lacks punch in some areas.
Camera Quality: The grainy quality works well in certain segments, like during Revolver, where it accentuates the lighting. But it doesn't feel consistently high-quality throughout the show.
Editing Choices: I get why some fans had issues with the editing. I had my problems with it too. Some choices didn't make sense, like the glass shattering overlay during Revolver or the awkward shots in certain moments. That said, the director did a solid job of capturing the audience's vibe during the songs, which is a plus.
Credits: While I personally enjoyed the Express Yourself/Born This Way mashup (and Madonna poking fun at her feud with Gaga), it was odd to see Gaga and the writers of Born This Way go uncredited. It felt a bit awkward, especially for those of us who read the booklet thoroughly.
Mixed View:
Album Cover: I like the concert screen effect used on Madonna's close-up, but with so many incredible shots from the show, I feel like they could've picked something even more visually striking. That said, the choice does add a bit of enigma to the cover, making you curious about what to expect inside.
