video transcript

(UPSOT) Madonna-mania hit Philadelphia on Tuesday (August 28), as the singer brought her hits, charm and political views to the city for the first U.S. stop on her MDNA World tour. The 20,000 strong crowd at the Wells Fargo Center was kept waiting for some 30 minutes until the singer finally appeared on stage. Opening with a prayer, Madonna then charged into one of her new songs "Girl Gone Wild". (UPSOT) Never one to shy away from expressing her political views, the material girl told fans to appreciate their freedom, before calling for the release of jailed Russian rockers "Pussy Riot", imprisoned for performing an anti-Putin song in a church. Fans going into the show said they don't mind the singer sharing her political views. (SOUNDBITE) Greg Packer, Madonna fan, saying (English): "She knows how to dance, she knows how to dress, she's very controversial, she keeps everybody on their toes." (SOUNDBITE) Darren Roskott, Madonna fan, saying (English): "Madonna is about, you know, expressing yourself. So, I think they should be let out of jail and Vladimir Putin, shame on you - ok, I think he needs to chill out and go to a few of these gigs." But there was also plenty of time to party, and Madonna used her 2 hour set to get through an extensive back catalogue of old and more recent hits. She will continue the North American leg with stops in Canada and New York City.