32 Minutes!

That was all the time Madonna spent on stage, performing for 3000 people at NYC's Roseland Ballroom last night.

For a promotional gig, it sure boasted some mighty impressive production values (Strobe lights! Crane cameras! Travelator action!) Check out these clips from the Hard Candy Promo Tour.

Opening number "Candy Shop"



The next single "Give It 2 Me"



Justin popped in for some sexy dry-humping...



Hot!

He Just Did It

While the missus is peddling Hard Candy, Guy Ritchie is making news with this ad he directed for Nike.



I would say that it's all been done before. Not for Nike, mind you, but you might remember this wild video by The Prodigy directed by Jonas Akerlund.



Not that I don't heart Guy Ritchie, who is choice Man Candy in his own right.



Happy Labour Day, Randomers!

Like Any Other Day

So I'm finally on my last day at work. The office is bare and I've got 3 bags of stuff to bring back with me.

Kinda surreal, looking around the rest of the office, with empty tables and cleared out shelves and cupboards. I don't know yet if I'll miss this place.

I know I'll miss the routine, but heck, I'll find a new one soon enough. It's all good and drama-free, as it should be.

In the meantime, check out my review of Hard Candy at OneTwoMusic.com.

Hard Candy Eye Candy

While I think about what I wanna say for my review of Hard Candy on OneTwoMusic, you might wanna check this out on 30 April at 10pm EST (if you're in the US, so that'll make 2 of you reading this) for the 'live' streaming of Madonna's promo gig at NYC's Roseland Ballroom.

For the rest of you, check back from 15 May onwards to watch the gig on demand.

The album is definitely a well-crafted piece of work and I'm sure the promo gig will continue in the Madonna tradition of first-rate entertainment. Early reports suggest that there will be a distinct retro vibe in the outfits and musical arrangements.

Here's another cover featuring a new promo pic of Mrs Ritchie.

Hot Mess, Hot Party

~ This has been floating about for a while, but is it just me or is the fact that Whitney Houston is doing it with Brandy's baby brother, Ray J - who also happens to be more (in)famous for that sex tape with Kim Kardashian - just kinda makes the argument that drugs are bad, mmkay? What a hot mess!

~ If you're gonna be in HK this weekend, check out the celebs at the invitation-only launch of Madonna's Hard Candy in Qube+ in Lan Kwai Fong.

It promises to be a hot party with the entire album being played, and there's nothing like HK party-goers who I know will dress according to the "Sticky & Sweet" theme. I love HK freaks.

Here's the party banner ad on Wydham Street.

And here's the invitation that the exclusive guest-list received.

And stay tuned 'cos I might have a spare copy of the Japanese edition of Hard Candy to give to a lucky Randomer. It's got a bonus track titled Ring My Bell, for all you fans who simply love Madonna, free stuff, or just wanna make a quick buck on ebay.

Surprise, Surprise

I'm still recovering from my weekend in HK.

First there was the surprise farewell party, organized by Eugene & Alexis, which I didn't see coming at all, which made it all the more pleasant. Those of you who came by, a huge thank you.

Then there was the 12-hour day of back-to-back catch-ups with friends on Saturday. I was so beat that I actually stayed in on a Saturday night. Sunday kicked off with lunch with Brandon's folks and friends, followed by the 'exploratory chat' about work, and finally, Sammy & Jonny's wedding reception and dinner. Sammy glowed and Jonny's speech made me cry (I'm so useless at weddings).

I also had the best time playing part-time manny to a friend's 9-year old (she called me a teenage girl) and 7-year old (he said I had boobs). Ah, kids.

I also got the chance to listen to an advance copy of Madonna's Hard Candy and I must say that the 1st single, 4 Minutes, is nothing like the rest of the album. Look out for future hits Miles Away (catchy hook!), Give It 2 Me (quirky euro-centric), Heartbeat (retro-flavoured), Candy Shop (sticky & sweet) & The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You (drama).

Apparently the leak has already made it to the internet, so happy hunting, Randomers. In the meantime, I'm digging this artwork for Hard Candy's deluxe edition.

I so have to hit the gym.

The Mylie Factor

The world's biggest teen sensation, 15-year old Mylie Cyrus - if you're over 28, you'll know her daddy Billy Ray - has been posting her 'home videos', made with her BFF Mandy. They call it the Mylie & Mandy Show (imaginative!) and the YouTube uploads have already gained a substantial following, which is spawning talk of their own reality series.

In their most recent posting, Mylie & Mandy make their own version of Madonna's 4 minutes.



Will Mylie's teen following play a part in giving Madonna her next #1 song?

Also, in related news, fansite drownedmadonna.com has confirmed (with the requisite 'subject to change' caveat) that Madonna will kick off her next world tour on the anniversary of 9/11 in London's Wembley Stadium.

You wanna go?

I Want Candy

And the countdown to Hard Candy continues with this teaser.



And the screencaps for the 4 Minutes video have also made it online (courtesy of Drowned Madonna). Here's a taste of sticky & sweet...











The video premieres in Asia on 7th April at 4:04pm (HK/SG), as of the time of this writing.

Countdown To Candy

Interesting.

I still think the cover looks super cheapo.