Next week in London, September 25, which famous entertainer will begin a new 18-month world tour entitled The Girlie Show?

In the fall of 1993, the music world was bracing for a new tour from an artist at the absolute peak of her provocative powers. Following the recent release of her controversial *Erotica* album and the infamous *Sex* book, this pop superstar's every move was a major cultural event. The tour, which launched at London's Wembley Stadium on September 25th of that year, was The Girlie Show, the fifth concert tour by the one and only Madonna.

The show was a complex, theatrical spectacle that blended music with performance art. Its title was inspired by an Edward Hopper painting, and its aesthetic drew heavily from burlesque, cabaret, and circus sideshows, complete with elaborate costumes designed by Dolce & Gabbana. The concert was divided into distinct thematic acts, exploring sexuality and fantasy with everything from whip-wielding dominatrices during "Erotica" to a glamorous disco finale.

Despite facing protests and calls for cancellation in several conservative regions due to its explicit content, The Girlie Show was a massive critical and commercial success. It was her first tour to visit places like South America, Israel, and Turkey, and it was ultimately broadcast as a popular HBO special. The tour cemented Madonna's reputation not just as a singer, but as a groundbreaking and fearless live performer.