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Saturday, 10 May 2008, 21:31 GMT 22:31 UK

Madonna makes her UK live return


Madonna on stage at Big Weekend

Madonna has played her first UK show of the year, closing the opening night of Radio 1's Big Weekend.

Dressed all in black, the Queen of Pop performed a 40 minute set at Mote Park in Maidstone, pleasing fans with number one single 4 Minutes.

She also played a number of songs from her recent studio album Hard Candy, including Candy Shop and Miles Away.

The show came as part of a trio of live performances to launch the album, the other two being in New York and Paris.

Later in the set, Madonna reworked Hung Up for electric guitar, ending the song with a wall of noise. The show ended with another single, Music.

However, the singer didn't play any of her well known hits from the 80s and 90s.

Speaking to Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley before her performance, Madonna explained why she wanted to play the songs she picked.

She said: "Obviously, I want to do new stuff because I'm very excited about it.

"I feel that's what people come to hear but I also want to do a few of my oldies but goodies.

"I chose Hung Up because that was the biggest hit from my last record and I chose Music because it's a crowd pleaser, it's anthemic and it brings people together.

The tent was full to capacity for the show. Extra monitors played the set to fans outside.

Backstage Day 2

As Madonna disappeared behind a stage prop made to look like a tube train at the end of the show, most fans left happy.

31 year old Gerard Sutton told Newsbeat: "It was great for Maidstone, she looked like she loved being here and everyone loved it."

In pictures: Madonna wows at Big Weekend

19 year old Georgina Finch from Hastings added: "She was good but she should have sung some older stuff and should have been on for longer. She was awesome though."

Radio 1's Big Weekend is the biggest free ticketed music festival in Europe and has previously been held in Dundee and Preston.

30,000 people are expected over the two days, and more than half a million people applied for tickets.

Read: The Kooks set to rock Maidstone

Backstage gossip from Big Weekend



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In pictures: Madonna wows at Big Weekend (Saturday, 10 May 2008, 22:14 GMT |  Entertainment )
Big Weekend begins in Maidstone (Saturday, 10 May 2008, 12:51 GMT |  Music )
Madonna hints at guest appearance (Friday, 9 May 2008, 12:25 GMT |  Music )
The Kooks set to rock Maidstone (Sunday, 11 May 2008, 11:43 GMT |  Music )


One Big Weekend


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