On August 24 2006, clothing retailer H&M released its Madonna inspired tracksuit. Madonna and select members of her crew from The Confessions Tour were also featured in the accompanying print ad campaign, photographed by Rankin.
The success of the campaign led to more comprehensive Madonna co-branding ventures with H&M, D&G, and to the eventual launch of her own fashion brands – Material Girl and Truth or Dare by Madonna.
On July 23 2006, Madonna experienced – as she put it – “some technical difficulties in [her] brain” during a performance of Let It Will Be at the second of two Miami shows for The Confessions Tour.
After coming in too early on a vocal cue, she quickly poked fun at herself with some improvised lyrics, only to experience further issues towards the end of the song. She then humourously referenced the glitches – and nearly suffered a G.W. Bush-inspired orgasm – during her post-song banter.
The show marked the final date on the North American leg of The Confessions Tour.
(Thanks to YouTube user Ryan Keefe for the video, and to our friends at Madonnalicious and their readers for the wonderful tour pics from Miami!)
On June 22 2006, Madonna played the second of a two-night run at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The shows were the only Canadian dates during The Confessions Tour, with Live Nation’s Arthur Fogel citing scheduling conflicts with Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, which they had been attempting to route into the itinerary as well.
The concerts also marked Madonna’s welcomed return to Montreal after a thirteen year absence. She previously played at Olympic Stadium during The Girlie Show Tour in 1993, which followed up her first concerts in La Belle Province during 1987’s Who’s That Girl Tour with two dates at The Forum.
(Live photos from July 22 2006 were shared by fans via Madonnalicious.com – many thanks!)
On May 21 2006, Madonna launched her Confessions Tour with the first of three sold-out shows at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.
On April 30 2006, Madonna made her festival debut at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California.
Madonna performed six songs in front of one of the largest crowds ever to witness an artist at the event. The set featured her latest hit single Hung Up, Get Together, I Love New York, Ray of Light, Let It Will Be and the vintage Everybody. The show served as a warm-up for the May 21 kick-off of her Confessions Tour in Los Angeles.
On January 31 2008, Forbes announced that Madonna was the richest woman in music.
Forbest.com predicted that Madonna earned $72 million between June 2006 and June 2007. Madonna made her millions with the concert grosses from the Confessions Tour, merchandising revenue, fragrance deals, album sales, her fashion line with H&M and a deal with NBC to broadcast her concert performance at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Barbra Streisand ranked No. 2 with $60 million in earnings thanks to her comeback tour of Europe and North America.
Celine Dion ranked No. 3 with $45 million in earnings thanks to her successful residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
On December 21 2006, the official sell sheet for Madonna’s Confessions Tour DVD/CD release was distributed to retailers. The street date for the release: January 30, 2007.
“The pop spectacle of the year—a politically charged combination of Cirque du Soleil, performance-art commentary and dance-party explosion that more or less sums up everything she has been striving to say and show this decade … it’s quite possibly the best production she’s ever concocted.” – Orange County Register
Today In Madonna History 