Madonna celebrates CONFESSIONS II with London launch party

In tandem with the British Summer Time release of her highly anticipated new album CONFESSIONS II, the Queen of Pop presented an official launch party, powered by Grindr, at the South London space, with DJ sets from Horse Meat Disco, Jodie Harsh, Price, and Honey Dijon.

Lucky ticket holders and famous faces – including Kate Moss, Ashley Roberts and Daisy Edgar-Jones – entered the venue via a pair of giant inflatable legs, spread apart in the shape of an “M”, straddling a speaker.

Returning to Warner Records last September, CONFESSIONS II is Madonna’s first studio album in seven years, succeeding 2019’s Madame X. It sees the 67-year-old pop star reuniting with Price in an attic studio in London. England-born producer Price originally produced her critically acclaimed 2005 dance album Confessions on a Dance Floor, mixing fan favourite track “Future Lovers” into “I Feel So Free” – the lead single off CONFESSIONS II – in last night's set.

Making her entrance at midnight, Madonna announced that “Mother is here”, before breaking into song and dance with Price. Together they played Sabrina Carpenter collab “Bring Your Love”, and follow-up single “Love Sensation”. Leon joined soon thereafter for “Danceteria”, one of the record’s liveliest highlights, with Madonna demanding attendees to put their phones down. Reciting one of the signature self-empowerment mantras in her song, “Everyone here is a work of art”, she shouted.

“Danceteria” is a tribute to the legendary 80s New York club that Madonna often frequented. It makes mention of the late DJ Mark Kamins, who discovered the singer and brought her to Sire Records, as well as her friend Martin Burgoyne, who died aged 23 of AIDS-related complications, and actress Debi Mazar – who she first met at Danceteria in 1981.

Mazar herself appears in a preview segment for the track on Madonna's star-studded Confessions II short film, now available to watch for free on YouTube after premiering in June at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

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Closing out until 2AM was Dijon, who controlled the dance floor by mixing some of Madonna's biggest hits including “Hung Up”, “Get Together”, and “Vogue”. The singer had enough energy before an early exit to enjoy a play of “Physical Attraction”, the first time since its release on her self-titled debut LP in 1983.

Leon is a featured collaborator on “The Test”, a duet that opens with the words “little star”, referencing Madonna’s dedication to her daughter on the 1998 Ray of Light song, also of the same name.

Just before arriving at the party, Madonna, Price and Leon sat backstage at Magazine London with Bob the Drag Queen, interviewing for iHeartRadio & TikTok. Speaking on CONFESSIONS II and working with her daughter, “I would never define this record as just another confession,” said Madonna.

“Writing a song with Lola and dealing with all our issues, and confronting things and being super honest and vulnerable with each other, those are important moments. I wouldn’t say they are just confessions.”

The event follows parties in Paris and Los Angeles, as well as a surprise Times Square performance for Pride Month. It comes 20 years after Madonna celebrated the release of Confessions on a Dance Floor with a performance at Camden, London, venue KOKO.

Last month, the singer returned to KOKO to meet with Graham Norton for an in-depth discussion about her incredible life and career. Airing on BBC One, it featured a special appearance by Kylie Minogue.

In the programme, Madonna teased that “something bigger is coming”, fuelling speculation at a possible Glastonbury 2027 slot. She is also rumoured to be making a surprise appearance in Trafalgar Square for Pride in London on Saturday.