“CRAZY for you” summed up the mood Wednesday evening as thousands of Madonna fans showed up in their glittery best and diamanté-studded wigs to see their legendary idol perform for the first time in Hong Kong.

    At 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, the superstar was still not on stage at the concert venue at Asia-World Expo. She was more than one hour late for her appearance but no one seemed to mind as they waited eagerly to hear her belt out “Crazy for you,” one of the scores of chart-topping hits the superstar is known for.

    For the fans, the wait was more than bearable, given that many had flown into the city from hundreds of miles away.

    Action Piao, a musician who came from Shenzhen, told the South China Morning Post, “It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.”

    The 45-year-old added, “Madonna has inspired my love for music since 1985, but I have never ever seen her live shows before.”

    Piao was lucky enough to get a VIP ticket from another musician friend, as he was told that tickets had already sold out the second day after they were put on the market.

    “Finally a day has come that I will see her in person, I feel like I will soon achieve one of my biggest dreams,” said Piao. “You know, given Madonna’s rebellious performance style, chances are slim that she will get a greenlight to hold concerts on the Chinese mainland.”

    Also traveling all the way from the mainland was Nero Gong, a 20-year-old student living in northwestern Gansu Province. He showed up early to buy Madonna souvenirs before they sold out.

    Saleswoman Carmen Lee, who was wearing a Madonna wig, told the South China Morning Post she took the day off work so she could be at the venue early with her husband.

    “I feel my heart is beating so fast right now,” she said, her voice trembling. “She has been my idol since I was at high school because my dad is one of her fans, I bought the tickets from a friend even though the price is double that of the official price listed online,” she said.

    Unlike Piao and Ho, Dutch Jan Dijkstra is fortunate to have had the chance to see the superstar in person five times in Europe and America. “We are her biggest and oldest fans,” said 33-year-old Dijkstra, standing in front of the entrance, a glass of champagne in hand. “Michael Jackson is dead, and I’m afraid Madonna is the last legendary pop icon alive.”

    A number of local celebrities have expressed on social media their desire to catch a glimpse of the speculator shows by “the queen of pop.”

    Security is tight. More than 50 security guards have been deployed for the shows, with bag checks being conducted on an individual basis and glass bottles banned.

    A lavish personal make-up room, private gym and a dining hall were set up backstage for Madonna’s two concerts, according to reports. In her entourage are her troupe of dancers, a personal trainer and chef.

    The concerts took place Wednesday and Thursday nights, with ticket prices ranging from HK$688 (US$88) for the cheapest seats all the way up to HK$11,888 for what organizers call the “ultimate front-row VIP package.” This includes tickets to the ice-breaking party, a VIP pass, souvenir, wine and snacks.

    Madonna’s latest world tour, which began in Montreal in September, will continue in Macao, Manila and Singapore.

    It’ll then head to New Zealand and Australia, reaching Sydney on March 20.

    (South China Morning Post)

    1. Madonna in a show in Barcelona.

    2. A Madonna fan takes a selfie with a Madonna poster at the Hong Kong Asia World-Expo on Wednesday.

    3. Stars at the Madonna Rebel Heart Hong Kong tour.

    4. Two dressers do makeup for the Madonna waxen statue before the Hong Kong concert.

    5. Madonna puts on a show at the Taipei Arena last week. SD-Agencies