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In a surprise appearance in New York, Madonna performed songs from the new Confessions II, returned to Confessions on a Dance Floor and honored figures from LGBTQ+ history, from Marsha P. Johnson to Keith Haring.
Madonna made a surprise appearance in Times Square on the afternoon transforming one of New York City‘s busiest spots
into an outdoor Pride club for a few minutes.
The appearance was in collaboration with Grindr, on the occasion of the start of Pride Month, and served as a preview of her new album Confessions II. The pop-up show lasted about 15 minutes, with the audience gathering in Times Square after a countdown through the app.
The 67-year-old star appeared in a pink corset , silver boots and surrounded by dancers, singing old songs from Confessions on a Dance Floor and new songs from Confessions II. The set included Hung Up, Get Together and I Love New York, as well as I Feel So Free, Bring Your Love and Love Sensation from the upcoming album.
“Hi, gays!” she said to the crowd, and at one point, “C’mon, gays!” was also heard, in a performance that openly played with Madonna’s place in queer pop mythology. Images of iconic figures from LGBTQ+ history and culture appeared on screens around the stage, including Marsha P. Johnson, Keith Haring, and Robert Mapplethorpe.
The moment wasn’t just an album promo in downtown New York. Madonna returned to the dancefloor language nearly 20 years after Confessions on a Dance Floor, the 2005 album that won her a Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album and featured the hits Hung Up and Sorry. Confessions II finds her once again collaborating with producer Stuart Price, who was also involved with the original album.
The Pride timing was no coincidence. Madonna has built much of her journey through her relationship with the queer community, clubs, dance music, and the idea of the stage as a space for transformation. In Times Square, she didn’t just perform new songs; she recreated, on a small scale, the universe that made her “Mother” for different generations of queer audiences.
In one of the most iconic moments of the look, she recreated an image from the Confessions II campaign, holding a speaker between her legs. In the audience were, among others, her daughter Mercy and her partner Akeem Morris.
Before leaving, Madonna thanked New York and wished “Happy Pride.” The next step in the Confessions II rollout is at the Tribeca Festival, where she will present a film project based on the first songs from the new album at the Beacon Theatre.