February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
But, in a controversial move — imagine, Madonna being surrounded by controversy! — the singer will ?reinvent? the Slane gig by scheduling her show to take place on a Sunday. Which, naturally, is causing an uproar among planners, politicians and pundits throughout the country.
The decision by Madonna — possibly the world?s most famous former Catholic since Martin Luther — not to hold the concert on Saturday is due to her strict adherence to the Kabbalah faith, a sect of Judaism, distinguished by its belief in certain mystical tenets. Followers, like Madonna, wear a distinctive red string bracelet on their left wrists to ward off evil. The singer is the religion?s highest-profile proponent, and she has attracted a host of celebrity followers, including Mick Jagger, Demi Moore, and Courtney Love.
Predictably, Madonna?s edict is causing all sorts of logistical — not to mention public relations problems — in Ireland. In the first place, Slane Castle owner Henry Mountcharles vowed 20 years ago that that the venue would never again host a Sunday concert, after Bob Dylan fans ran riot in the village following his Slane appearance in 1984. In the second place, residents of the tiny village have expressed concerns that it would be tough to navigate around even a well-ordered crowd on the way to Mass. Third, the clergy are not amused at the thought of having a bunch of scantily dressed dancers writhing around on a Sunday. And, of course, religious begrudgers snipe that while Madge is observing HER Sabbath, she?s urging almost everyone else to ignore theirs. (Hmmm . . . is it Mass that?s served in Croke Park on Sundays? ) And so on.
Nothing?s set in stone yet, and concert promoters MGD refuse to confirm or deny that Madonna will indeed headline Slane. But the firm has applied for a special Sunday license, and Madonna?s agent, Caresse Henry, is already on record defending the rumored $150 ticket price — an amount unheard-of for Slane.
?Madonna is one of the few artists who gives a performance worthy of every cent,? she sniffed. ?I am not expecting sticker shock.?