Visit-Montenegro.com : No Discount for the Queen of Pop

Budva – Upon her arrival to Budva, global pop-icon, Madonna would stay at luxurious presidential suit of elite “Splendid” hotel at Becici.

It seems that this might be the biggest expense during this year world tour, at least when it comes to the price of the accommodation which would be paid for by her producing agency “Live Nation” in more than 50 cities across Europe and North America.

As it is spelled out in the contract with Montenegrin partners – Tourist Organization of Budva, Municipality of Budva and Belgrade “Komuna”, costs of accommodation for the entire crew and star herself would be covered by “Live Nation”.

One night at “Splendid” would cost Madonna “insignificant” Euro 7,000, which is the same amount that had been paid by Spanish singer, Hulio Iglesias, as well as Mick Jagger, front men of last year’s performers at Jaz, “Rolling Stones.”

According to Vijesti’s sources, people at the “Live Nation” production company are unpleasantly surprised with the amount they will have to pay in order to facilitate accommodation for the Queen of Pop.

In an Email sent to Montenegrin organizers, these producers state that the price of similar apartments in world capitals is significantly higher. In their words, however, Madonna stays practically for free, as those hoteliers are aware that the mere fact that Madonna is staying at their hotel is a promotional asset.

In Vienna, for instance, where Madonna would perform ahead of Budva, accommodation in a luxurious apartment costs Euro 10,000. However, the management of the hotel set a symbolic sum of only Euro 173 for Madonna.

It is for this reason that people from “Live Nation” are surprised about the fact that Montenegrin organizers have failed to present them at least with an offer on the cut of costs of accommodation, which is, in their opinion, although not explicitly demanded, considered as expected for VIP guests of Madonna’s profile. So that the Queen of Pop will have to pay an official price of the presidential suit which is same for all other guests.

Representatives of “Splendid” say that Madonna plans on renting 100 rooms for her crew and that the price had not been set yet, nor had it been negotiated.

“It is beside point to assume that the star of her profile would even discuss the price of accommodation, so that we did not even discuss it. It is only speculation. For the time being, what we have received from Madonna’s managerial team are requests on the number of rooms and request to provide a room with mirrors, where Madonna can excursive her dancing choreographies”, Zarko Radulovic, co-owner of “Montenegro stars” hotels says.

Budva and Jaz-beach have been officially included to the list of cities where Madonna would perform during her “Sticky&Sweet” world tour. Pop-Queen stated in the contract with the Montenegrin organizers that she would not perform in any other country of former Yugoslavia.

European part of the world tour, Madonna starts in the British town of Cardiff, followed by other most important European metropolis: Nice, Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Rome, Frankfurt, London, Paris and Vienna. Two days after her Jaz-performance, Madonna would end the European part of her tour with concert in Athens on 27 September. At her North American tour, Madonna will perform in 25 tows. Four concert would take place in New York.

As has been announced earlier, total of 65,000 tickets would be sold at prices of Euro 200 for VIP lounge, Euro 70 for places beside the stage and Euro 35 for other tickets.

According to the announcements by the organizers, concert would last for two and a half hours, while the stage would be 100 meters long and 10 high.

Madonna Luisa Veronica Chickone was born on 16 August1958 in Michigan, USA. This year’s tour marks two jubilees – 25 years of her music career and her 50th birthday.

“Live Nation” has paid US$ 120 Million

“Hard candy” is the last album which Madonna would release for “Warner Music”, since she signed a contract with “Live National” producing company last year.

Despite the fact their cooperation has ended, “Warner Music” keeps the right to Madonna’s catalogue of songs and albums, which she recorded over past 25 years.

Madonna has signed the contract with “Live Nation” for the period of 10 years. A part of this agency called “Artist Nation” took over the responsibility for her career, including the release of new albums, tours and merchandise which is connected with Madonna’s name.

As a reminder, Madonna has been proclaimed the most successful singer in history, with the highest amount of money earner on a tour. During her last years tour – “Confessions” – which entailed 60 concerts, Madonna earned US$ 200 Million, which means she had earned 3 million dollars per each concert.

(10 July 2008)

By: V. LAJOVIĆ