Today in Madonna History: August 31, 2006

Confessions Tour

On August 31 2006, Madonna played the fourth of four sold-out dates at the Palais Omnisports de Bercy-Paris during her Confessions Tour. The show played to nearly 68,000 fans at the venue during its tour run.

Madonna has become quite familiar with the Palais Omnisports over the years, having played a combined total of 19 sold-out concerts at the venue between 1990 and 2009 for roughly 320,000 fans.

The venue was also used to film two of her shows – 1990’s Blond Ambition Tour and 2004’s Re-Invention Tour. Ironically, both films were used as part of documentaries – Truth or Dare and I’m Going To Tell You A Secret respectively. Since both documentaries focused equally on behind-the-scenes and on-stage content, only select performances could be featured in each. The complete shows for both tours filmed at the venue remain unreleased, much to the bewilderment of fans.

Today in Madonna History: June 18, 2006

On June 18 2006, Madonna performed a third sold-out Confessions Tour concert at the United Center in Chicago. In total, Madonna performed four completely sold-out shows for 52,000 adoring fans in Chicago, generating $9.2 million in ticket sales.

Tom Young (BBC) had this to say about The Confessions Tour:

“[The show is] a big fat neon light of a pop-dance explosion. There’s a party going on, and unless you were there in the first place, you’re not invited. Whistles and whoops rarely cease and applause ripples throughout building into regular raptures for a consistently first-class performer. It’s almost enough to make those who weren’t there jealous. Almost.”

Today in Madonna History: May 21, 2006

On May 21 2006, Madonna launched her Confessions Tour with the first of three sold-out shows at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.

Today in Madonna History: September 30, 2006

On September 30 2006, Madonna appeared on the cover of Madame Figaro (France) magazine. Madonna was dressed in Jean-Paul Gautier, with photos by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. You’ll recognize that she wore the costume for Future Lovers, from The Confessions Tour, for this photo shoot.

Today in Madonna History: July 3, 2006

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On July 3 2006, Madonna performed her Confessions Tour at Madison Square Gardens.

It was the last of four SOLD OUT shows at the Gardens (June 28, 29 July 2 and 3). In total Madonna performed in front of 91,841 fans in New York, generating $16,507,855 in ticket sales.

Today in Madonna History: May 21, 2006

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On May 21 2006, Madonna opened The Confessions Tour at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Madonna performed the show for three SOLD OUT nights at the Forum in front of 40,044 fans.

Ben Werner of The Orange County Register reported that “No one – but no one – stages elaborate eye-candy productions like Madonna, whose highly impressive Confessions Tour opened Sunday night at a packed Forum so sweltering it seemed as though it were being prepped for the world’s largest Bikram yoga session.”

Today in Madonna History: February 10, 2008

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On February 10 2008, Madonna won her 7th Grammy Award. The Confessions Tour film, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, took home the award for Best Long Form Music Video.

It marked Madonna’s fourth Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video, and her second win in the category:

  • Blond Ambition World Tour Live – Won (1992)
  • The Girlie Show: Live Down Under – Nominated (1995)
  • I’m Going To Tell You A Secret – Nominated (2007)
  • The Confessions Tour – Won (2008)