On April 13th, 1990 Madonna was about to start her third concert tour in support of her fourth studio album “Like a Prayer” and her second soundtrack album, “I’m Breathless”. Who could have guessed this would become one of the most influential tours of all times, one after which any other tour of a pop star would be measured against?

Where was Madonna’s career in 1990?

Madonna’s entire career is one huge anomaly. Close to 40 years in her career debut we are still talking about her, she still makes headlines and even more importantly, she still makes great music with “Madame X” (2019) ending up on many “best of” lists for 2019 even if she was snubbed for a Grammy.

This is why trying to choose a peak for Madonna’s career is close to impossible but there is one era we can surely say is close to the top: the Blond Ambition Tour era. During this time, Madonna has shown that she isn’t just a very smart businesswoman, but also one of the top artists of her day – in retrospect, we can even say of all times.

While she started as a teen idol in the mid-1980s, by the early 1990s she transformed herself into a woman that adults could look up to, could talk about without sounding like they’re trying to keep up with the kids of the day, but also without alienating her teen fanbase. So when she went on tour in 1990, it was bound to be a success.

Why is this tour so iconic?

If you had to sketch Madonna so another person could guess who you’re drawing, it’s very likely that you’d use a cone bra, a blonde ponytail, and a hands-free microphone that thanks to this tour, it has become known as a “Madonna mike”. There was no use of the cvn300 model yet, but she made it work!

The tour had five segments: “Metropolis” (which was inspired by the German film of the same name), “Religious” (inspired by her Catholic upbringing), “Dick Tracy” (after the movie she starred in 1990), “Art Deco” (her tribute to the early years of Hollywood fashion), and an encore.

Looking at these segments, it’s not hard to see why the tour was such a critical success. Artists thrive when they present work inspired by their real-life emotions and experiences, by their interests, etc. We all know Madonna has a thing for questioning religious dogmas and she loves old Hollywood glamour so the tour imagery fit her like a glove.

By using elaborate sets and costume changes that told a story, Madonna basically combined the worlds of opera and rock’n’roll and created a spectacle that is still entertaining 30 years after its debut. Her progressive views on feminism, racism or queer rights were tabu back then and they’re still controversial today, which makes the tour age like fine wine.

This was a show that was accessible to many and it would make you leave the stadium not only entertained but also asking yourself questions: why is female sexuality such a tabu when Michael Jackson and Prince aren’t doing anything that different and they don’t get the same criticism?

The setlist also reads as a sort-of greatest hits for the Queen of Pop as she performed “Holiday”, “Like a Virgin”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Like a Prayer”, “Express Yourself” and “Vogue” among other classics. And we must give a shout out to the costumes of Jean-Paul Gaultier as they changed how a pop star could look like!

Fortunately, her artistry remains as seen by her next tours such as “The Girlie Show”, “Confessions Tour” and her most recent one, “Madame X Tour”. We just can’t wait to see what she has prepared for us next!

The first listen to this EP is indicative that Amira pours her heart out over all the 5 tracks. It really doesn’t matter if you can relate or not to the lyrics of ‘Broken Angel’. Just the way she conveys her emotions with powerful vocals is what shines the most. Besides the good interaction of guitar, drums, and keyboards, Amira’s Pop-Rock ballads tell different stories. Certainly, she has the ability to sustain long high notes while her deep feelings denote a reflection of different subjects. From love issues to past experiences, she takes you to a journey where hope or inspiration serves as a purpose.

Currently residing in Richmond, VA, she got involved in the music realm as an autodidact. From an early age, she fell in love with the guitar like most musicians. After her stint in a duo with Austin Riley and in the Rock/Blues cover band IMT, Amira has gained a lot of confidence in herself.  So far, the most memorable career moment of this talented singer was her performance of the national anthem at The Diamond baseball stadium. As one can imagine, due to restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, she has to reschedule her tour. Get more announcements below.

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Manchester-based talent, Alvin, recently released his 5-track EP, ‘Seven Oaks’. Besides its incredibly eclectic sound, this fresh material is full of feelings and emotions. You can even soothe your ears with his delicate touch and beautiful melodies. What’s more, such soulful vocals are indicative of the great passion he puts on everything he creates.

It is worth mentioning ‘Seven Oaks’ is a continuation from a similar styled EP, entitled, ‘Many Happy Returns’. Surprisingly, Alvin elaborates a fantasy world through his confessional/intimate lyrics, which are poured over hypnotic beats. Therefore, the whole EP may spark your imagination in mere seconds.

‘Seven Oaks’ also has a variety of songs about different subjects like love, dreams, adventures, melancholy, crucial decisions, and changes. Overall, it’s so chill and relaxing no one can complain. If you enjoy this kind of vibe as much as I do, then stay alert on his socials. There will be a new tape coming this summer, please stay tuned for more news!

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There’s no doubt, 420-friendly songs create a laidback atmosphere suitable for smoking weed. “Acapulco Gold” by La Sinclair is one of those songs that revolve around medical marijuana. The Los Angeles-based artist drops an original song whose lyrics extol the plant’s relaxing benefits. Definitely, her storytelling connects you to her childhood memories in Mexico’s largest beach resort city. Inspired by the proliferation of cannabis use during the 60s, this vintage-esque tune encompasses a blend of RnB and tropical Pop beats. If you’re a regular smoker, don’t make your quarantine days boring, check this out and transport yourself to another realm immediately.

“Acapulco Gold” follows her last two successful hits, “Won’t Let Go” and “OK OK OK”. Stream in full via Spotify.

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I know you need to kill your quarantine time now more than ever. For this reason, discovering new music is the solution. “Numb” by Jason Biyo will help you remember your favorite RnB tunes from the late 90s. He went from being part of his high school’s choir as a child to an all-time self-producing indie artist at present.

With over 30K streams on Spotify and multiple performances at live shows, Jason is getting ahead of the game and creating his own signature style. On June 5th, he will drop his debut album, ‘N.U.M.B.’, which will include this anthem. Overall, I feel identified with his lyrics as I also deplore hypocrisy. Fake supporters and people trying to put you down are toxic, but this song serves as the perfect antidote against them. Enjoy!

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