View source for The Virgin Tour

{{Short description|1985 concert tour by Madonna}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox concert
| image         = The virgin Tour Poster2.png
| image_caption = Promotional poster for the [[San Francisco]] concert
| image_size        = 220
| border        = yes
| artist        = [[Madonna]]
| location      = {{Flatlist}}
* North America
{{Endflatlist}}
| albums        = {{flatlist}}
*''[[Madonna (album)|Madonna]]''
*''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]''
{{Endflatlist}}
| start_date      = {{Start date|1985|04|10}}
| end_date        = {{End date|1985|06|11}}
| number_of_legs  = 1
| number_of_shows = 40 in North America
| gross           = US$5 million{{efn|US${{Formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5|r=2|1985}}}} million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars.{{Inflation-fn|US}}}}
| support_act     = [[Beastie Boys]]
| last_tour       = 
| this_tour       = '''The Virgin Tour'''<br>(1985)
| next_tour       = [[Who's That Girl World Tour]]<br>(1987)
}}

'''The Virgin Tour''' was the debut [[concert tour]] by American singer-songwriter [[Madonna]]. The tour supported her first two [[studio album]]s, ''[[Madonna (album)|Madonna]]'' (1983) and ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'' (1984). It started on April 10, 1985, at the [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle)|Paramount Theatre]] in [[Seattle]], United States, and ended on June 11 of the same year at the [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]]. Although initially planned for an international audience, the tour was restricted to the United States and Canada. [[Warner Bros. Records]] decided to send Madonna on tour after ''Like a Virgin'' became a success. After an official announcement on March 15, 1985, Madonna and her team began production plans. She wanted the tour to be a reflection of her own self and collaborated with designer [[Maripol]] for the costumes.

[[Beastie Boys]] were signed as the opening act, while [[record producer]] [[Patrick Leonard]] was the music director. The stage was triangular, with walkways and ramps around it, with lighting arrangements hanging about 30 feet above. Four giant screens lined three sides of the stage's outer perimeter. The setlist consisted of songs from her first two records, ''Madonna'' and ''Like a Virgin''. Madonna was backed by two male dancers as she moved energetically across the stage. The show ended with her in a wedding dress, performing "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" and "[[Material Girl]]".

The tour received a mixed reception from critics, but was a commercial success, with many newly-obsessed Madonna fans in attendance. As soon as it was announced, tickets were sold out nearly everywhere. [[Macy's]] New York department store created a "Madonna department", where shoppers could find not only official tour merchandise, but also clothing, jewelry, and accessories to replicate what was considered (at the time) to be the Madonna "style". The store was flooded with fans, who bought everything from chunky bracelets and bangles, scrunchies and headbands, to pearl necklaces and rings. The store also carried shoes, shirts, denim jackets, large sunglasses, and Madonna's "signature" accessories: rosary-style necklaces, crucifix earrings, fingerless gloves, and even a replica of her iconic belt, with the metal buckle carved to say "BOY" in all capital letters. On its end, the tour was reported to have grossed over $5&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5|r=2|1985}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}), with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Boxscore reporting a gross of $3.3&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3.3|r=2|1985}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).

The tour was recorded and released on [[VHS]], [[Betamax]] and [[LaserDisc]], as ''[[Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour]]'', which received a [[RIAA certification|gold]] certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). With the commencement of the ''Virgin Tour'', a wide-ranging audience—especially young women—thronged to attend, all nearly decked-out in Madonna-inspired outfits. This frenzy surrounding Madonna gave rise to a new term called ''[[Madonna wannabe]]''—a reference to her obsessive followers (during the mid-1980s) that would be officially recognized by the ''[[Webster's Dictionary]]'' in May 1991.

== Background ==
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Paramount Northwest 24.jpg
| width1 = 161
| alt1 = 
| caption1 = 
| image2 = Madison Square Garden (MSG) - Full (48124330357).jpg
| width2 = 190
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| footer = The Virgin Tour began at Seattle's [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle)|Paramount Theatre]] (left) and ended at New York City's [[Madison Square Garden]] (right).
}}
The Virgin Tour was officially announced on March 15, 1985, by Warner Bros. Records.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sippel|first=John|title=Madonna's First Major U.S. Tour To Begin April 10|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 6, 1985|volume=97|issn=0006-2510|issue=14|pages=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT97|access-date=July 2, 2010|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807081608/https://books.google.com/books?id=MCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT97|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the tour, Madonna's only live performances were limited to evening shows at [[Danceteria]], [[CBGB]] and [[Mudd Club]], and only the [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards]], where she performed her song "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]".<ref name="tara1"/> Following the success of the ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'' album, the record label wanted to milk-in the success of the album by sending Madonna on a worldwide tour. However, the tour was restricted within United States and Canada. It did not visit Europe, Asia or other continents.<ref name="tara1">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=21}}</ref> Early on there were plans to schedule dates in Australia and Japan due to Madonna's large fan bases in both countries; however, the final schedule did not reflect the idea. In the end several more U.S. dates were added and the tour was moved to larger concert venues due to overwhelmingly strong ticket sales.<ref name="morton"/> Madonna was quite nervous to perform in front of a huge audience, and singing with a live band for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenberg|first=Liz|title=Madonna A Hit|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nPUPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2039,1532526&dq=madonna+virgin+tour&hl=en|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Washington)|Daily Record]]|date=April 11, 1985}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> During a 2009 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', interviewer Austin Scaggs asked Madonna regarding her feelings and emotions during the tour, since it was the first time she was playing in arenas. Madonna replied saying

<blockquote>That whole tour was crazy, because I went from playing CBGB and the Mudd Club to playing sporting arenas. I played a small theater in Seattle, and the girls had flap skirts on and the tights cut off below their knees and lace gloves and rosaries and bows in their hair and big hoop earrings. I was like, "This is insane!" After Seattle, all of the shows were moved to arenas. I've never done a bus tour. Everyone says they are really fun[.]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Scaggs|first=Austin|date=October 29, 2009|title=Madonna Looks Back: The Rolling Stone Interview|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-looks-back-the-rolling-stone-interview-20091029|access-date=March 9, 2015|archive-date=February 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228095034/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-looks-back-the-rolling-stone-interview-20091029|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

== Development ==
After the tour was confirmed, Madonna and her troupe started working on it. Madonna wanted it to be "loud and brazen, and a reflection of my street-style and DGAF attitude".<ref name="tara1"/> She wanted a concert where people can enjoy themselves as much as she would enjoy performing. Commenting on the development, Madonna said "I normally hate performances where there is just a singer singing, and a lame-ass band playing in the background; or shows where there is a rocker screaming his lungs out and jumping on the crowd. That just plain sucks! That's why I wanted something different, something that would be memorable".<ref name="tara1"/> For the show, Madonna collaborated with her designer friend [[Maripol]] for the clothes and the fashion. Maripol operated a small fabric boutique called Maripolitan in [[Greenwich Village]], where the designs and the clothes for the tour were decided by her and Madonna.<ref name="voller2"/> Rehearsals for the show started in late February, with auditions and choosing the dancers going on in-between. Madonna specifically wanted male back-up dancers, citing that the "provocative moves that I do on stage works better with men beside me".<ref name="morton"/> To further promote the tour, Warner Bros. Entertainers Merchandise Management Corp. introduced  the Boy Toy collection, named after the belt buckle Madonna wore on the ''Like a Virgin'' album cover picture. It consisted of a rectangular buckle, with the words "Boy" and "Toy" emblazed on it in gold color.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rourke|first=Mary|title=A Mad, Mad World of 'Madonnas'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-31-vw-14783-story.html|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 31, 1985|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402202604/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-05-31/news/vw-14783_1_true-madonna|url-status=live}}</ref> For choosing a music director for the tour, Madonna's manager [[Freddy DeMann]] contacted [[record producer]] [[Patrick Leonard]], who had just returned from the [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons)|Victory Tour]] by [[The Jackson 5|The Jacksons]].<ref name="fred"/> At first Leonard said no, feeling exhausted from the tour, but after he spoke to Madonna on the phone, he found her charming, and agreed to sign for the tour.<ref name="fred">{{harvnb|Bronson|2003|p=637}}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=300px|align=right|quote=They were very bad boys—they said "fuck" all the time on the stage. The audience always booed them and they always told everyone to fuck off. I just loved them for that. I couldn't understand why everyone hated them— I thought they were so adorable.<ref name="beast"/>|source=—Madonna reminiscing her experience with [[Beastie Boys]] on the tour.}}

American hip hop/rap rock group [[Beastie Boys]] were signed as the opening act for the tour. In 1998, [[Adam Yauch|Adam "MCA" Yauch]] of the group recollected: "One day, [[Russell Simmons]], co-founder of [[Def Jam Recordings]], came in and said, 'Hey guess what—Madonna's manager called. Do you guys want to go on tour with her?'"<ref name="beast"/> DeMann had asked for another group called [[The Fat Boys]], but Simmons did not manage them and lied, saying "Oh, the Fat Boys have another gig that week. What about [[Run–D.M.C.]]?" But they were too expensive according to DeMann, and hence ultimately Beastie Boys were chosen.<ref name="beast"/> The same year, [[Ad-Rock|Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz]] from the band commented: "It's not like any of us knew Madonna that much, but we all used to hang out at [[Danceteria]] [club] so we knew about each other. I don't know why she thought it would be a good idea [to open for her tour], though. It was a terrible idea. But it was great for her in a way because we were so awful that by the time she came onstage, the audience had to be happy".<ref name="beast">{{cite journal|last=Light|first=Alan|title=The Story of Yo|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=September 9, 1998|volume=14|issue=9|pages=152|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-5EbyHNqgkwC&pg=PA152|access-date=July 2, 2010|issn=0886-3032|author-link=Alan Light|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929031214/https://books.google.com/books?id=-5EbyHNqgkwC&pg=PA152|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, [[Mike D|Michael "Mike D" Diamond]] admitted in conversation with [[Conan O'Brien]] that "it was a huge deal and totally absurd that we got asked to do that tour". However, Ad-Rock noted the pairing was not as crazy as it seemed. "We used to play at the same clubs in New York", the vocalist pointed out. "No one ever talks about that part of the story".<ref name="BBOBrien">{{cite web |author=Team Coco |author1-link=Conan O'Brien |title=The Beastie Boys Expose The Truth About Golden Records {{!}} Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSjdYkqY5WI |website=youtube.com |publisher=[[Conan O'Brien|Team Coco]] |language=en |format=video |date=August 13, 2024}}</ref>

The circular stage for the tour consisted of three ramps around the perimeter, which were connected with each other. A long line of stairs descended to the main stage from the central ramp; it was flanked by the band.<ref name="morton">{{harvnb|Morton|2002|p=67}}</ref> About {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} above the stage, the speakers were suspended from a circular beam. Four giant screens lined the outer perimeter of the stage, on three sides.<ref name="pitt"/>

== Concert synopsis ==
[[File:Beastieboys-sonar07.jpg|thumb|left|[[Beastie Boys]] (pictured in 2007) were the opening act for the tour.]]
The show opened with [[Beastie Boys]] performing six of their songs for 30 minutes.<ref name="pitt"/> They were accompanied by their DJ, [[Rick Rubin]], who [[scratching|scratched]] the music, with The Beastie Boys prancing around the stage, making lewd gestures towards the audience.<ref name="pitt"/> As they finished their performance, which included a reading of the 1977 poem by William Styron, "A Farewell to Arms", a reading the backdrops started displaying Madonna's images from her music videos.<ref name="pitt"/> The band—consisting of guitarists, bassists, a drummer and three synthesizer players—came into focus, and the music started.<ref name="pitt"/> Madonna's voice was heard, saying: "Don't be afraid... it's gonna be alright". Then, Madonna's silhouette appeared behind a white screen on top of the stairs as the first beats kicked in. The white screen lifted and she is finally seen, wearing a psychedelic denim jacket, a blue see-through crop-top and her characteristic green bra. She also had lacy leggings and crucifixes around her ear and her neck. She posed on the stairs before reaching the microphone to sing "[[Dress You Up]]".<ref name="clerk">{{harvnb|Clerk|2002|p=41}}</ref> After dancing to the last note of the music, Madonna and the two male back-up dancers went to the back of the stage, as the music of "[[Holiday (Madonna song)|Holiday]]" began.<ref name="clerk"/> Taking a moment to ask the audience how they are feeling, Madonna declared, "I was never elected homecoming queen, but I sure feel like one now", and started the performance of "[[Into the Groove]]", playing a [[tambourine]].<ref name="nytimes"/> A [[boombox]] was present on the stage during the performance, Madonna sitting and playing with it, and addressing it as her "box".<ref name="metz">{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=5}}</ref> She continued with "[[Everybody (Madonna song)|Everybody]]", while asking the audience to clap along with her.<ref name="metz"/> As she finished the vigorous performance of "Everybody", the lights were dimmed and the introduction music of "[[Angel (Madonna song)|Angel]]" started. [[Lighting control console#Moving light controllers|Rotating lights]] fell on the stage. Madonna appeared sitting on top of the stairs and gradually descended. During the intermediate bridge, she and her dancers moved energetically around the whole stage, as white balloons fell on them from above.<ref name="clerk"/> Madonna continued singing as the lights were dimmed again. She finished the performance and disappeared behind the [[Stage (theatre)#Proscenium stage|wings]] for a costume change.<ref name="clerk"/>
She appeared on the stage wearing a black, fringed micro-top and similar skirt, with her belly-button exposed, and a number of crucifixes in different sizes, hanging from different parts of her body.<ref name="clerk2">{{harvnb|Clerk|2002|p=49}}</ref>

As the guitar intro of "[[Gambler (song)|Gambler]]" started, Madonna stood on the side-stage and started dancing energetically, as flashlights fell on her. While singing the song, she sometimes opened her jacket and sometimes straddled a steel structure present on the side of the stage. The performance ended with Madonna jumping off the side stage, onto the main one.<ref name="clerk2"/> She then performed "[[Borderline (Madonna song)|Borderline]]", "[[Lucky Star (Madonna song)|Lucky Star]]" and "[[Crazy for You (Madonna song)|Crazy for You]]"—while touching the hands of the audience members.<ref name="morton"/> Madonna then returned to the microphone and started singing "Over and Over" from ''Like a Virgin''. It was followed by "[[Burning Up (Madonna song)|Burning Up]]" during which she caressed one of the guitarist, ultimately disappearing for another costume change.<ref name="voller1"/> As the music of the song "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" started, Madonna returned on the stage, wearing a wedding dress, holding a bouquet in her hand and a long white veil behind her. Accessorized by a white bow atop her head and lacy, [[evening glove|three-quarter length gloves]], she also had a crucifix on her waistband and another hanging from a long chain around her neck.<ref name="clerk"/> Madonna asked the audience "Will you marry me?" When the audience answered affirmatively, she threw the bouquet towards them and started singing the song.<ref name="kell">{{harvnb|Kellner|1995|p=272}}</ref> Madonna continued singing the song while rolling around the floor, and added a snippet of [[Michael Jackson]]'s [[Motown]]-style single, "[[Billie Jean]]". Balloons floated out towards the audience again as she pulled apart her veil and threw it towards the audience.<ref name="kell"/> She returned to the stage in the arms of one of the backup dancers, wearing a [[tube top|boob tube]] and a tight white skirt, carrying a bunch of notes in her left hand, and a number of garlands around her neck.<ref name="clerk"/> In a self-parodying performance of the song "[[Material Girl]]", at the end of the performance Madonna asked the audience "Do you really think I'm a material girl?&nbsp;... I'm not&nbsp;... Take it [Throwing fake money]&nbsp;... I don't need money&nbsp;... I need love".<ref name="metz"/> As she began to strip off more clothes and jewelry, she was apprehended and marched offstage by an extra posing as her father. In Detroit, her father Tony Ciccone himself did the honors. The show ended with Madonna returning onstage once more to take her fur coat and doing a [[curtsey]].<ref name="clerk"/>

== Critical reception ==
[[File:Madonna - Tampa Bay Times (1985).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna performing "[[Into the Groove]]" in one of the concerts of the tour.]]
The tour received generally mixed reviews from critics.<ref name="Claro">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/madonna00clar/page/70/mode/2up?q=reviews|title=Borderline|others=Madonna|publisher=[[Chelsea House Publishers]]|access-date=January 16, 2022|date=2000|page=71|first=Nicole|last=Claro|isbn=9780791023303 }}</ref> Jason Stratley from ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' said that "On stage, wiggling and writhing, a rock-video vision of messy, bleached- blond hair, bare skin, sequined paisley and dime store diamonds was the flash-and-trash rock queen Madonna. Behold the Madonna clones—she is turning into one fine legend".<ref>{{cite news|last=Stratley|first=Jason|title=Madonna: Virgin Tour: Review|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB299716DE99183&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=January 7, 2010|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=May 3, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100029/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB299716DE99183&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> Jeff Sewald from the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' felt that "the modus operandi [of the tour] was clear. Madonna was not only selling her music to throngs of teen-agers and adults alike, but she was selling herself and the entire package proved to be a joy for the 14,500 screaming fans. [...] Madonna's 'Virgin Tour' had torn the cover off Pittsburgh's sexuality".<ref name="pitt">{{cite news|last=Sewald|first=Jeff|title=Rock Star Madonna Drives Big, Young Crowd Into A Frenzy|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bvMoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5782,8538165&dq=madonna+virgin+tour&hl=en|access-date=January 7, 2010|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=May 29, 1985|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090858/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bvMoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5782,8538165&dq=madonna+virgin+tour&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Rachel Lee from ''[[The Sacramento Bee]]'' felt that "more than any pop star in recent memory, even [[Boy George]] and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], Madonna is an image. Her hour-long concert here Tuesday night, as professionally performed and well-choreographed as it was, did nothing to give her more dimension than the two already bestowed on her".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Rachel|title='Virgin Tour' No Coy Affair Madonna Flexes Her Flash|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB04456E1403112&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]]|date=April 25, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100108/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB04456E1403112&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> Arthur Daniels from ''[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]'' felt that "Madonna looked grim, but the fans were delighted when the blond rock star made her first major concert appearance to kick off her 'Virgin Tour'. [...] She looked blank and did not look up as she passed fans who gathered by the stage door before the show".<ref>{{cite news|last=Daniels|first=Arthur|title=Stone-Faced Madonna Kicks Off Her First Tour|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB737A7896C311C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]|date=April 12, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100127/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB737A7896C311C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref>

Robert Hilburn from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' commented: "Madonna represents a contemporary fantasy figure that revives the glamour, innocence and raw sexuality of many of Madonna's own teen heroes, including [[Marilyn Monroe]] and [[James Dean]]. Like the early Monroe, Madonna may portray a bimbo, but there she's clearly no pushover. Though the audience was on its feet throughout, it often seemed that Madonna was operating beneath her potential in this pop format. It's important to demonstrate that she can handle herself live, but the simplicity of pop concerts doesn't begin to tax her ambition or talent. In fact, she has so little to do other than express this aggressive, sexy attitude that the show seemed long at just over an hour".<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|title=Pop Review: Madonna Makes A Hot Topic|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/64431631.html?dids=64431631:64431631&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+22%2C+1985&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=POP+REVIEW+MADONNA+MAKES+A+HOT+TOPIC&pqatl=google|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 22, 1985|archive-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619092134/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/64431631.html?dids=64431631:64431631&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+22%2C+1985&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=POP+REVIEW+MADONNA+MAKES+A+HOT+TOPIC&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Heidi Sherman from ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' commented, "The Virgin Tour was Madonna's first, yet it put her in the same league as Prince and [[Bruce Springsteen]]. It proved that Madonna was beyond real. And if her stage presence indicated she was more showgirl than musician, at least she knew how to gussy up her act for the postfeminist MTV age. Boy Toy? Not exactly. She was a bonafide pop star in the process of becoming a cultural icon".<ref name="spin">{{cite journal|last=Sherman|first=Heidi|title=Madonna 'The Virgin Tour' 1985|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=July 9, 2001|volume=17|issue=7|pages=23|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ea8eQMnU_iIC&pg=PA81|access-date=July 2, 2010|issn=0886-3032}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| footer = Madonna closing the concert with performances of "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" (''left'') and "[[Material Girl]]" (''right'').
}}

Laura Fissinger from ''[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]'' felt that "'Virgin Tour' establishes Madonna more as a bimbo, rather than the strong, independent woman people think her to be".<ref>{{cite news|last=Fissinger|first=Laura|title=Madonna Milks Sexy, Savvy Image|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/90942817.html?dids=90942817:90942817&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+10%2C+1985&author=Laura+Fissinger%2C+Special+to+the+News+and+Sun-Sentinel&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MADONNA+MILKS+SEXY%2C+SAVVY+IMAGE&pqatl=google|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]|date=May 10, 1985|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622234732/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/90942817.html?dids=90942817:90942817&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+10%2C+1985&author=Laura+Fissinger%2C+Special+to+the+News+and+Sun-Sentinel&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MADONNA+MILKS+SEXY%2C+SAVVY+IMAGE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> David O'Reilly from ''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]'' said that with the concert "Madonna proved once more why she was called a 'talentless bimbo'; it was utter trash".<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=David|title=Madonna: Lucky Star Lives It Up|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI%7CDN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB297CB48D7F680&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date%3AD&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|date=May 30, 1985|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024222913/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI%7CDN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB297CB48D7F680&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> Richard Defendorf of ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' gave a positive review, saying "Madonna's 'Virgin Tour' was very enjoyable and she put her music video charms in her live performances".<ref>{{cite news|last=Defendorf|first=Richard|title=Madonna Puts Video Charms In To Live Act|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/91692460.html?dids=91692460:91692460&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+05%2C+1985&author=Richard+Defendorf+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=MADONNA+PUTS+VIDEO+CHARMS+INTO+LIVE+ACT&pqatl=google|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=May 5, 1985|archive-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619072347/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/91692460.html?dids=91692460:91692460&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+05%2C+1985&author=Richard+Defendorf+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=MADONNA+PUTS+VIDEO+CHARMS+INTO+LIVE+ACT&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Maya Hathoray from ''[[The Miami Herald]]'' said that "We know [Madonna is] sexy, exotically beautiful and her funk/pop songs make us want to dance, but on stage, she is extremely tame compared to her raw persona in her music videos. She is like daddy's little girl".<ref>{{cite news|last=Hathoray|first=Maya|title=Madonna On Stage: The Siren Is Tame|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3628A5526D5C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]]|date=May 12, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100155/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3628A5526D5C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> Mary Edgar Smith from ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'' observed that "It was obvious from the apparel of the young girls at last week's Virgin Tour concerts in Tampa and Orlando, Fla., that the 26-year-old singer [Madonna] had more to give to the music world than what others suggest. She will be a force to be reckoned with".<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Mary Allen|title=America's sweetheart sets the fashion trend of the 1980s|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7C18159D333DF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=May 14, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100204/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7C18159D333DF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Stephen Holden]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' commented, "While her pubescent lookalike fans cheer approvingly, the star's manipulation of such symbols as a wedding gown, a cross, furs and jewels becomes a lighthearted communal psychodrama. Madonna has brought traditional little girl's games of dress-up and playing with dolls (using oneself as model) into the television age by turning them into a public spectacle".<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|title=From Screen Farce To Holiday Songs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/08/arts/home-video-new-cassettes-from-screen-farce-to-holiday-songs-209705.html?scp=4&sq=Madonna%20virgin%20tour&st=Search|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 8, 1985|author-link=Stephen Holden|archive-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224113843/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/08/arts/home-video-new-cassettes-from-screen-farce-to-holiday-songs-209705.html?scp=4&sq=Madonna%20virgin%20tour&st=Search|url-status=live}}</ref> A review in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' by John Gleeson said that "Madonna's singing was like a soundtrack to a more visceral display of herself, her persona, her nonstop dancing and her surprisingly explicit sexual dare, which included a visual climax—so to speak—to every other song".<ref name="metz"/> Paul Grein from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' said that "Madonna's show was stylish, well-paced and consistently entertaining".<ref name="total1">{{Cite magazine| publication-date = May 18, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = May 18, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT1| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = September 25, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090858/https://books.google.com/books?id=HCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT1| url-status = live}}</ref> On their rankings of Madonna's tours, [[VH1]]'s Christopher Rosa and ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]''{{'}}s Gina Vivinetto both placed The Virgin Tour in the ninth position; for the former, "it's definitely energetic and full of '80s teen bombast" but lacks "the style and sophistication of her other tours", while the latter deemed it a "stripped down, sloppy romp".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vivinetto |first1=Gina |title=Madonna's 9 tours: Ranked |url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/09/09/madonnas-9-tours-ranked |work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501230902/http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/09/09/madonnas-9-tours-ranked |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |date=September 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="VH1">{{cite web |last1=Rosa |first1=Christopher |title=Ranking 30 years of Madonna's tours: Which one is the greatest? |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/35yroa/ranking-madonna-tours-2 |publisher=[[VH1]] |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306005249/http://www.vh1.com/news/55223/ranking-madonna-tours-2/ |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |url-status=live |date=September 4, 2015}}</ref>

== Commercial reception ==
As soon as the tour was announced, tickets were sold out almost everywhere.<ref name="lady"/>
In San Francisco, tour shirts were selling at a clocked rate of one every six seconds. All 17,672 tickets for Madonna's show at New York City's [[Radio City Music Hall]] were completely sold out in a record-breaking 34 minutes.<ref name="lady">{{cite news|last=Bego|first=Mark|title=Our Lady Of Rock Video|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tsxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3333,5757152&dq=madonna+virgin+tour&hl=en|access-date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=[[Lawrence Journal-World]]|date=June 25, 1985|author-link=Mark Bego|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110052945/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tsxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3333%2C5757152&dq=madonna+virgin+tour&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Both the shows at Chicago's [[UIC Pavilion]] were sold in a single day with a record-breaking 18,000 tickets being sold.<ref name="tick">{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=9}}</ref> In Philadelphia, a record-breaking 31,000 tickets were sold in under four hours.<ref name="tick"/> Along with ticket sales, merchandise associated with the tour also sold rapidly. T-shirts, posters and promo-magazines featuring Madonna's image were picked up by the fans, even though most them were overpriced compared to the market value.<ref name="grossing">{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=119}}</ref> After its end, the Virgin Tour was reported to have grossed over $5&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5|r=2|1985}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}), with ''Billboard'' Boxscore reporting a gross of $3.3&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3.3|r=2|1985}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref name="grossing"/>

== Recordings ==
{{Main|Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour}}
An official video recording of the concert in [[Detroit]] was released as ''Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour'', in [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]], in November 1985. "Angel", "Borderline" and "Burning Up" were part of the tour set list but were not included on the release. It was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipment of 50,000 copies and received a "Video Software Dealers Award" for the Most Popular Music Video in September 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=VSDA: Viva Las Vegas|date=September 20, 1986|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|issue=38|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The video received mixed reviews from critics. Annie Temple from ''Philadelphia Daily News'' said that the release was "not so flattering" and "was a sloppy job".<ref>{{cite news|last=Temple|first=Annie|title=Videos Are So Different|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI%7CDN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB29D7018604CA8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date%3AD&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=June 15, 1990|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024185032/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI%7CDN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB29D7018604CA8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref> Dennis Hunt from the ''Los Angeles Times'' said that "the video is sometimes distracting and blurry, wonder what went wrong during recording. The angles are awkward, especially when the audience members are shown touching Madonna's hand. Was it really necessary to show a fan coming unannounced on the stage?"<ref>{{cite news|last=Hunt|first=Dennis|title=Will 'Scrooge' Spielberg Steal Christmas?|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/64551804.html?dids=64551804%3A64551804&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+11%2C+1985&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=WILL+%60SCROOGE%27+SPIELBERG+STEAL+CHRISTMAS%3F&pqatl=google|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 11, 1985|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622042030/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/64551804.html?dids=64551804%3A64551804&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+11%2C+1985&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=WILL+%60SCROOGE%27+SPIELBERG+STEAL+CHRISTMAS%3F&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Terry Atkinson from the same paper said, "This follows the typical concert video format of putting you in the best seat in the hall and letting the aura of a superior performer encaptivate your senses".<ref>{{cite news|last=Atkinson|first=Terry|title=Home Tech: Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/766912822.html?dids=766912822:766912822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+10%2C+1985&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=HOME+TECH&pqatl=google|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 10, 1985|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102211657/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/766912822.html?dids=766912822:766912822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Dec+10,+1985&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=HOME+TECH&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> Joe Logan and Gail Shister from ''[[The Wichita Eagle]]'' said that "seeing Madonna live in an arena and seeing her up, close and personal in the tour cassette is totally different. The energy, the movements, the provocation—all captures you more".<ref>{{cite news|last=Logan|first=Joe|author2=Gail Shister|title=Reporter Chase 2nd to Leave|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WE&s_site=kansas&p_multi=WE&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADB2BCD532DB18&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=July 2, 2010|newspaper=[[The Wichita Eagle]]|date=December 12, 1985|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100220/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WE&s_site=kansas&p_multi=WE&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADB2BCD532DB18&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}</ref>

The release debuted at 14 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Music Videocassettes chart, on December 7, 1985, and reached a peak of 11, the next week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sCQEAAAAMBAJ|title=Top Music Videocassettes|date=December 14, 1985|access-date=July 2, 2010|magazine=Billboard|volume=97|issue=87|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609153847/https://books.google.com/books?id=sCQEAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> The video started a slow climb on the chart, and on the issue dated January 18, 1986, it reached the top of the chart, replacing ''[[The Revolution (band)#Video albums|Prince & The Revolution: Live]]'' by [[The Revolution (band)|The Revolution]].<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Top Music Videocassettes|date=January 18, 1986|access-date=July 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|issue=3|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT24}}</ref> On May 24, 1986, the video again climbed back in the top ten of the chart, at position two. It was present on the chart for a total of 65 weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Music Videocassettes|date=May 24, 1986|access-date=July 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|issue=34|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_yQEAAAAMBAJ|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090859/https://books.google.com/books?id=_yQEAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Live&nbsp;– The Virgin Tour'' was the top selling music videocassette for 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT50|title=Yearly Review: Top Music Video Hits|date=August 30, 1986|access-date=July 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|volume=98|issue=35}}</ref> The video was certified two-times [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipment of 200,000 copies and received a "Video Software Dealers Award" for the Most Popular Music Video, in September 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=VSDA: Viva Las Vegas|date=September 20, 1986|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|issue=38|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT76|access-date=July 23, 2010}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[File:MadonnaVirginTour.jpg|thumb|Madonna, at the center, seen with her band members from the tour. Her clothing style inspired women who emulated it.]]
When the tour first started, people—especially women—thronged to see it wearing clothes inspired by Madonna.<ref name="voller1">{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=21}}</ref> Debbi Voller, author of ''Madonna: The Style Book'', observed that "Hundreds of thousands of young girls came to the concert dressed like her, with bleached and tousled hair, see-through tops, bras, fingerless gloves and crucifixes. Magazines and TV shows ran lookalike competitions".<ref name="voller1"/> This frenzy regarding Madonna gave rise to a new term called [[Madonna wannabe]]—a word that was ultimately officially recognized by the [[Webster's Dictionary]] in May 1991.<ref name="voller1"/> Madonna was mystified as to why all the women would want to copy her look. She commented,
<blockquote>
"I never set out to be a role model. I am a strong woman, a successful woman, and I don't conform to a stereotype. For so long women have been told that there are certain ways they mustn't look if they want to get ahead in life. And there I was dressing in a forbidden way and yet obviously in charge of my life. It was then I realized why all of them were out there in their seats, dressing like me".<ref name="voller1"/>
</blockquote>
While the tour was going on, the American lingerie industry reported that their turnover was suddenly up by 40 percent and that Madonna's image was responsible for this underwear revival.<ref name="voller2">{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=22}}</ref> Sam Gower from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' commented, "In the sixties, women burned their bras, now they wear five at a time, and bare their belly buttons. Madonna has done for the corset and crucifix what punk did for the safety pin. [[Macy's]] New York department store was flooded with buyers, who bought the tour merchandise like the crucifix earrings and fingerless gloves".<ref name="voller2"/> The demand was so huge that Macy's had to refill the merchandise time again.<ref name="voller2"/> Madonna's subversive antics on the tour provoked fiery and antics among the press. ''Rolling Stone'' said: "Like [[Marilyn Monroe]], Madonna is bent on epitomizing and championing a vision of female sexuality, and like Monroe she is often dismissed as an artist for doing so".<ref name="voller2"/> In their 1994 essay ''On Fashion'', authors Shari Benstock and Suzanne Ferriss noted that "on one level, Madonna is a toy for boys, but on another level boys are toys for her, the Boy Toys are there for her toying around and the unchastity belt comes off at her whim and desire. Indeed, "[[Material Girl]]" shows the guys as Madonna's toys and her dance numbers with men during the Virgin Tour concerts shows them as her underlinings, accessories that she toys with and totally dominates".<ref>{{harvnb|Benstock|Ferriss|1994|p=168}}</ref>

In 2024, in conversation with [[Conan O'Brien]], surviving [[Beastie Boys]] member [[Mike D|Michael "Mike D" Diamond]] commented that "[Madonna] booked the tour and she was playing like theaters. And by the time the tour was actually happening, she was so beyond selling out a theater in terms of stature. Before the tour was finished, I think she was like on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine or something. She was on her way to being a cultural phenomenon [when the tour started], but then she really was one by the end of that tour".<ref name="BBOBrien"/> The singer wouldn't tour in theaters and small venues during her career until her [[Madame X Tour]] in 2019–2020.<ref name=DocReview>{{cite web |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title='Madame X' Review: A Madonna concert film that's heavy on message, light on euphoria |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/madame-x-review-madonna-1235083994/ |work=Variety |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130224/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/madame-x-review-madonna-1235083994/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |date=October 8, 2021}}</ref>

== Set list ==
Set list and samples per Madonna's official website and the notes and track listing of ''Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour''.<ref name="official">{{cite web|title=Madonna.com > Tours > The Virgin Tour|url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/date/id/27|access-date=July 2, 2010|publisher=Icon: Official Madonna website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319233639/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/1|archive-date=March 19, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour|others=[[Madonna]] |year=1985 |type=VHS, Laserdisc, DVD |publisher=[[Warner Music Vision]]|id=38105-3 }}</ref>

# "[[Dress You Up]]"
# "[[Holiday (Madonna song)|Holiday]]"
# "[[Into the Groove]]"
# "[[Everybody (Madonna song)|Everybody]]"
# "[[Angel (Madonna song)|Angel]]"
# "[[Gambler (song)|Gambler]]"
# "[[Borderline (Madonna song)|Borderline]]"
# "[[Lucky Star (Madonna song)|Lucky Star]]"
# "[[Crazy for You (Madonna song)|Crazy for You]]"
# "Over and Over"
# "[[Burning Up (Madonna song)|Burning Up]]"
# "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" {{small|(Contains an excerpt from "[[Billie Jean]]")}}
# "[[Material Girl]]"

== Tour dates ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of North American concerts<ref name="official" /><ref>Box score:
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = May 4, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = May 11, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1CQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = April 28, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160428100320/https://books.google.com/books?id=1CQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = May 11, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = May 11, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1CQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = April 28, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160428100320/https://books.google.com/books?id=1CQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = May 18, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = May 18, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT1| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = September 25, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090858/https://books.google.com/books?id=HCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT1| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = May 25, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = May 25, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DyUEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = September 25, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090859/https://books.google.com/books?id=DyUEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = June 1, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = June 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4yQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = September 25, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090859/https://books.google.com/books?id=4yQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = June 8, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = June 8, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8yQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = September 25, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925090859/https://books.google.com/books?id=8yQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = June 15, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = June 15, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = November 10, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053020/https://books.google.com/books?id=-SQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = June 22, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = June 22, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KiQEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = October 19, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161019013917/https://books.google.com/books?id=kiQEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}
*{{Cite magazine| publication-date = June 29, 1985| title = Billboard Boxscore| magazine = Billboard| date = June 29, 1985| publication-place = New York City| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-iMEAAAAMBAJ| issn = 0006-2510| access-date = September 29, 2009| archive-date = November 10, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211110053029/https://books.google.com/books?id=-iMEAAAAMBAJ| url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" style="width:9em;" | Date (1985)
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | City
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Country
! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Venue
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Opening act
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Attendance
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Revenue
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 10
| rowspan="3" | [[Seattle]]
| rowspan="26" | United States
| rowspan="3" | [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle)|Paramount Theatre]]
| rowspan="40" | [[Beastie Boys]]
| rowspan="3" | 8,934 / 8,934
| rowspan="5" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 12
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 13
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 15
| rowspan="2" | [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall]]
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 16
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 19
| rowspan="2" | [[San Diego]]
| rowspan="2" | [[San Diego State University|SDSU Open Air Theatre]]
| rowspan="2" | 8,696 / 8,696
| rowspan="2" | $124,773
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 20
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 21
| [[Costa Mesa, California|Costa Mesa]]
| [[Pacific Amphitheatre]]
| 18,765 / 18,765
| $297,473
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 23
| [[San Francisco]]
| [[Bill Graham Civic Auditorium|San Francisco Civic Auditorium]]
| 8,500 / 8,500
| $127,500
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 26
| rowspan="3" | [[Los Angeles]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Universal Amphitheatre]]
| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}
| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 27
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 28
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | April 30
| [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]]
| [[Desert Financial Arena|ASU Activity Center]]
| 10,013 / 10,013
| $133,427
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 3
| [[Dallas]]
| [[Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center|Dallas Convention Center]]
| 8,717 / 8,717
| $130,735
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 4
| [[Houston]]
| [[Fertitta Center|Hofheinz Pavilion]]
| 7,300 / 7,300
| $101,880
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 5
| [[Austin, Texas|Austin]]
| [[Frank Erwin Center]]
| 14,639 / 14,639
| $208,005
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 7
| [[New Orleans]]
| [[Lakefront Arena|UNO Lakefront Arena]]
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 9
| [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]
| [[Yuengling Center|USF Sun Dome]]
| 8,400 / 8,400
| $125,415
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 10
| [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
| [[Orange County Convention Center]]
| 10,596 / 10,596
| $154,275
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 11
| [[Pembroke Pines, Florida|Pembroke Pines]]
| [[Hollywood Sportatorium]]
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 14
| [[Atlanta]]
| [[Omni Coliseum]]
| 14,843 / 14,843
| $215,760
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 16
| [[Cleveland]]
| [[Public Auditorium]]
| {{N/A}}
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 17
| [[Cincinnati]]
| [[Cincinnati Gardens]]
| 9,941 / 9,941
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 18
| rowspan="2" | [[Chicago]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Credit Union 1 Arena|UIC Pavilion]]
| rowspan="2" | 18,000 / 18,000<ref name="tick" />
| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 20
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 21
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]
| [[St. Paul Civic Center]]
| 16,799 / 16,799
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 23
| [[Toronto]]
| Canada
| [[Maple Leaf Gardens]]
| 16,000 / 16,000
| $238,264
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 25
| rowspan="2" | [[Detroit]]
| rowspan="13" | United States
| rowspan="2" | [[Huntington Place|Cobo Hall]]
| rowspan="2" | 24,382 / 24,382
| rowspan="2" | $332,780
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 26
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 28
| [[Pittsburgh]]
| [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]]
| 15,600 / 15,600
| $219,210
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 29
| [[Philadelphia]]
| [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]]
| 15,543 / 15,543
| $207,547
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | May 30
| [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]]
| [[Hampton Coliseum]]
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 1
| [[Columbia, Maryland|Columbia]]
| [[Merriweather Post Pavilion]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 2
| [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]]
| [[DCU Center|Centrum in Worcester]]
| 11,981 / 11,981
| $177,515
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 3
| [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
| [[New Haven Coliseum]]
| 10,190 / 10,190
| $153,856
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 6
| rowspan="5" | [[New York City]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Radio City Music Hall]]
| rowspan="3" | 17,538 / 17,538
| rowspan="3" | $294,050
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 7
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 8
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 10
| rowspan="2" | [[Madison Square Garden]]
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | June 11
|-
! colspan="5" | Total
! 239,703 / 239,703 (100%)
! $3,272,084
|-
|}

==Personnel==
Adapted from ''The Virgin Tour'' program.<ref name=TVTBook>{{cite book|last1=Ritts |first1=Herb|last2=Meisel |first2=Steven |title=Madonna: The Virgin Tour|date=1985|publisher=Boy Toy, Inc., Sire Records Merchandise}}</ref>
*Madonna –  creator, vocals, tambourine
*[[Patrick Leonard]] –  keyboards
*Bill Meyers – keyboards
*[[Jonathan Moffett|Jonathan P. Moffet]] – drums
*Bill Lanphier – bass guitar, synth bass
*James Harrah – guitars
*[[Paul Pesco]] – guitars
*Michael Perea - dancer
*Lyndon B. Johnson - dancer
*Brad Jeffries – choreographer, staging
*[[Maripol]] - costume designer
*[[Ian Knight (stage designer)|Ian Knight]] – set designer
*[[Freddy DeMann]] – personal management
*Dave Kob – audio mixer
*Rick Coberly - monitor mixer

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation
 | last1 = Benstock
 | first1 = Shari
 | author-link = Shari Benstock
 | last2 = Ferriss
 | first2 = Suzanne
 | title = On Fashion, Pages 183–195
 | publisher = [[Rutgers University Press]]
 | year = 1994
 | isbn = 0-8135-2033-9
 | url = https://archive.org/details/onfashion00pect
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Bronson
 | first = Fred
 | title = The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits
 | publisher = Billboard books
 | year = 2003
 | isbn = 0-8230-7677-6
 | author-link = Fred Bronson
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Clerk
 | first = Carol
 | title = Madonnastyle
 | year = 2002
 | publisher = [[Music Sales Group|Omnibus Press]]
 | isbn = 0-7119-8874-9
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Kellner
 | first = Douglas
 | title = Media Culture: Cultural Studies, Identity, and Politics Between the Modern and the Postmodern
 | publisher = [[Routledge]]
 | year = 1995
 | author-link = Douglas Kellner
 | isbn = 0-415-10570-6
 }}
*{{citation
 | last1 = Metz
 | first1 = Allen
 | first2 = Carol
 | last2 = Benson
 | title = The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary
 | publisher = [[Music Sales Group]]
 | year = 1999
 | isbn = 0-8256-7194-9
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Morton
 | first = Andrew
 | title = Madonna
 | publisher = [[Macmillan Publishers]]
 | year = 2002
 | isbn = 0-312-98310-7
 | author-link = Andrew Morton (writer)
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Taraborrelli
 | first = Randy J.
 | author-link = J. Randy Taraborrelli
 | title = [[Madonna: An Intimate Biography]]
 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]]
 | year = 2002
 | isbn = 0-7432-2709-3
 }}
*{{citation
 | last = Voller
 | first = Debbi
 | title = Madonna: The Style Book
 | year = 1999
 | publisher = Omnibus Press
 | isbn = 0-7119-7511-6
 }}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140319233639/http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/1 Madonna.com > Tours > The Virgin Tour]

{{Madonna}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Virgin Tour, The}}
[[Category:1985 concert tours]]
[[Category:Madonna concert tours]]
[[Category:Beastie Boys concert tours]]
[[Category:Concert tours of the United States]]
[[Category:Concert tours of Canada]]