Madonna announces summer tour

MADONNA’S upcoming tour will begin Aug. 23 in Cardiff, Wales, and will total 50 to 60 shows, the Billboard.com Web site reported.

Billed as the Sticky and Sweet tour, Madonna’s trek in support of her chart-topping Warner Bros. release “Hard Candy” — which debuted Wednesday in the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 — will play stadiums in the United Kingdom and Europe through the end of September. Arenas and a “handful” of stadiums in 16 North American markets will follow in October and November, with the period from late November through December devoted to stadiums in Mexico and South America.

Madonna’s last three world tours grossed almost US$400 million combined. Her 2006 Confessions tour is, at US$194 million, the top-grossing tour by a female artist.

The upcoming tour is the first major manifestation of the multifaceted 10-year deal between Madonna and Live Nation, valued in published reports at US$120 million.

Arthur Fogel, chairman of global music for Live Nation, said ticket prices will be primarily in the US$55-350 range.

(SD-Agencies)