Madonna put on one heck of a show to promote new album Hard Candy, indulging in a spot of dirty dancing with Justin Timberlake on stage at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.
Timberlake was special guest at the gig, which saw the Queen of Pop perform before a 2,000-strong audience, many of whom had queued on the street outside for two nights in order to get their hands on a coveted ticket.
The show kicked off with Madonna seated on a gold throne, dressed in black satin sweatpants and brandishing a cane. She performed six songs - four from Hard Candy - and was joined by Timberlake on the single 4 Minutes, which he co-wrote and produced.
Their routine included a risque moment when she pinned the 27-year-old Timberlake to the wall, to screams of appreciation from the crowd.
Unkinder critics pointed out that Madonna, who turns 50 in August, is old enough to be Timberlake’s mother, but the endless workouts and macrobiotic diet have certainly paid dividends.
She found time during the 38-minute show for a quick costume change, swapping her lace top for a sleeveless hoodie bearing the words “Hard Candy” and wearing trainers in place of her knee-length, dominatrix-style boots.
The other tracks from Hard Candy - Give It 2 Me, Candy Shop and Miles Away - were well received, but the crowd really went wild for Hung Up.
She dedicated it to the fans who had queued for tickets, telling them: “All you people I saw sleeping in the street last night, this song is for you.”
The show ended with Music, from her last album, Confessions on a Dance Floor.
Hard Candy is Madonna’s 11th studio album and sees her collaborating with the likes of Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes.
“Even though I have made what seems like 100 records, every time I put one out it’s like the first time and the best time,” she told the audience.
The album is set to top the UK charts this Sunday.
