According to her Web site some of the remixed tracks include "Baby One More Time," "Do Something," "Piece of Me," "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Womanizer." After the show, Britney Tweeted excitedly, "Just wrapped my first show in London. I love all the remixed tracks and new costumes!"

Although we're sure Spears' loyal fans loved the show, the same can't be said of some of her critics. The reviews are in, and some professional concertgoers described it as dull. The Sun said of Brit's performance, "Madonna is twice her age and does double the dancing."

Meanwhile, the Guardian made this point about the show: "It's not really about music, it's about gossip. ... Certainly there are moments when Spears could no more obviously be miming were she wearing white-face makeup and pretending to walk against the wind."

But the reviews weren't all bad. The Daily Mail said the performance was "relentlessly high octane and superbly choreographed," adding that the show is part of Britney's "remarkable comeback."

"[Y]ou don't come to see Spears for live, sweaty, musical grit and authenticity," the Daily Telegraph's reviewer wrote. "She is the queen of production line pop and reclaims that diamanté crown with the most perfectly plastic pop show ever staged." And we guess that's a good thing.

The only thing missing behind the scenes at Britney Spears' Circus tour is a clown car. And who knows, maybe they've got one of those hidden around here somewhere ...

Minutes after Britney and her entourage arrived (at precisely 6:32 p.m. local time, btw) in a fleet of black SUVs, I was escorted through a labyrinth of corridors beneath the New Orleans Arena, past stagehands pushing platforms, dancers limbering up, crates of wardrobe, stressed-out makeup techs and stern-looking security guards to the nerve center of the entire operation: Britney's dressing room.

Of course, no photos were allowed, and I wasn't even here to talk to Britney ... I was there with the night's opening act, the Pussycat Dolls.

The Dolls were a bit tired -- after all, they had just flown in from Eastern Europe last night, and they were still working the kinks out of the evening's routine -- but I managed to ask them about the challenges of performing on an “in the round” stage, which gives the audience a 360-degree view of the action.

"The problem is, someone in the audience always has a view of your heiney," lead Doll Nicole Scherzinger explained.

Good to know. And while we'll have more on our chat with PCD tomorrow, I have to jet ... we're being led up to the press box right now. Looks like the Circus is about to begin!

It's the opening night of her Circus tour, and though doors don't open for roughly three hours, throngs of Brit's disciples — all decked out in their DayGlo finest — are already lining up for the big event.

Some have been here since 10 a.m., in fact — groups of fans from nearby towns like Lafayette and places like Jackson, Mississippi, each clutching homemade signs, singing Britney tunes, having impromptu dance-offs and letting anyone within earshot know that "it's Britney, bitch."

Justin, a 16-year-old from right here in New Orleans, wears a customized Britney jersey (his name is embroidered on the back) and swears he's her biggest fan. He's seen her on all of her tours (and had tickets for her Onyx Hotel show before it got canceled — he's not mad at Britney for that, btw) and is beyond pumped for tonight.

"It's going to be magic. This is Britney coming back," he enthuses. "I am so excited."

(It should be noted that though he swears he knows all Britney's dance moves, he refrained from doing any before the show. "I need to be energized," he said. "After the show.")

Nearby, in a line pressed dangerously close to a teetering security barricade, dueling Brit/ Pussycat Dolls fans Martin and Lauren — they're the ones from Lafayette — showed off their purple "Team Britney" and "Team Dolls" T-shirts and tried very hard to match Justin's intensity.

"This is my first ever show — period," Martin said. "This is the best way to lose my virginity! I cannot wait."

And neither could the others (trust me, they told me). T-minus three hours until the Circus begins.

When in doubt, I can always click over to his blog and find pictures of Japanese-food-cooking robots, lamps that look like clouds, or sketches of the stage for his next tour and a personal thank-you from 'Ye for making 808s & Heartbreak the #1 album. Instant news!

" 'Love Lockdown' has sold 1.3 million so far on iTunes and 'Heartless' and 'See You in My Nightmares' sold over one hundred thousand each last week," West announced on Wednesday.

Even better, the never-shy rapper turned crooner predicted that "this is only the beginning," saying that his move into singing is "a new frontier for me and music. All the mixed opinions [We're looking at you, 50 Cent] will be over by next summer when I'm closing festivals and everyone is singing okaaay … okay. Okaaaaayee .. You'll never stop it now!!!! You'll never stop it now!!!! Or you worried bout the wrong things, the wrooong thiiings!!!!"

As for the sketch, Kanye just gave us a taste, with a banner at the bottom of the page that cryptically reads "ext stage for next tour! Tentatively titled ... Ye vs. th." And that's it. The stage setup, from what we can tell, looks like a glowing white disc surrounded by pyramid-like columns that bend in toward the middle. My guess at what the production is called? "Ye vs. the Volcano." Please, please let me be riiiighttt!!!!

By Whitney-Gayle Benta

Like my colleagues Rahman, Shaheem, Erica and Yasmine, I have many fond memories of Kanye West's early days as he transitioned from producer to musician. The story that sticks out the most was during his first tour.

In 2004, the same year Kanye released his debut album, The College Dropout, he was also asked to join Usher's the Truth Tour as the opening act.

I was a part of a small crew that was sent down to North Carolina to do an interview with Usher and cover his show. Since Ush was the big star of the evening, he automatically received all the attention from everyone. His set was so expensive and well choreographed, he even incorporated trampolines into the show.

Since this was Kanye's first tour, naturally his set was extremely modest. It consisted of Kanye, DJ A-Trak, loyal brother in hip-hop GLC and most importantly his signature College Dropout teddy bear mascot. Despite a small production budget, Kanye rocked his show and gave 100 percent to the crowd.

The best part of this experience was that I got a chance to witness firsthand how Kanye utilized his time on tour to study Usher, a certified pro. Instead of hanging out backstage or heading to the hotel after his set, Kanye made sure he took in all the details of the headliner's show, because he knew that one day he'd have his shot.

The Beastie Boys (along with Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Santogold, Ben Harper, Tenacious D, and Crosby & Nash) are about to bring their music and their message to some key battleground states leading up to the big election on November 4. The Get Out and Vote Tour kicks off on Monday and wraps just a day before the election. The Boys said, "This is the most important election of our lives," so they want young people to know that every vote matters.

Aside from the tour, Adam, Adam and Mike talked about Santogold (who had one of their fave albums of the year); their next album, which they're working on now; (Yauch says it's "overwhelming in a good way"); the 20th anniversary of the release of Paul's Boutique next year and how they plan to celebrate the anniversary; and more! Check back for more from our interview with the Beasties in the coming days.

So any Madonna fans out there who are strapped for cash, here's why you can — and should! — check out Of Montreal's latest gigs and still get a Madgetastic show for a fraction of the price. Here's a breakdown of which show is better at what:

COSTUME CHANGES!
Madonna: Lots of black. Lots of top hats. Lots of shorts. Also, there's whatever this is.

Of Montreal: Frontman Kevin Barnes dresses like a cardinal! Then, he's a minotaur! He's in a bikini bottom! He's wearing a giant fanny pack! He's covered in fake blood! He's smothered in whipped cream! He's dressed like Prince! Shall I continue?

Advantage: Of Montreal. Half the fun of a Madonna concert is seeing what she's decked out in, but her latest wardrobe is a far cry from the Gaultier-designed Blonde Ambition garb. Stick with Of Montreal's wild and outrageous "WTF ARE THEY WEARING?!?" appeal.

DO THEY LIKE BBQ SAUCE?
Madonna: Madge's tour is called "Sticky & Sweet," thanks to a lyric in the set-opener "Candy Shop."

Of Montreal: Their show is literally sticky and sweet, thanks to a set piece I can only describe as "The Fruit Orgy."

Advantage: Tie. What's more disturbing? The thought of a 50-year-old's "love" being described as"sticky and sweet" — or the image of three scantily clad indie-rock backup dancers eating bananas and citrus in an erotic fashion?

INSPIRED BY "EQUUS"!
Madge: Madonna's previous Confessions Tour had the singer decked out in equestrian-inspired garb.

Of Montreal: Barnes sang "St. Exquisite's Confessions" on horseback. Real horseback. As in, he had an actual live horse on stage. And he sang while sitting on it.

Advantage: Of Montreal. Sorry PETA, but including a live white pony in the proceedings was a breathtaking, unforgettable touch.

McCAIN ON THE BRAIN!
Madonna: One video montage cut between John McCain and Adolf Hitler (dropped from the show on Saturday night).

Of Montreal: One video montage cut between John McCain, Paris Hilton crying in a cop car and Lindsay Lohan crying in handcuffs.

Advantage: Of Montreal. Madge's over-the-top comparison makes the singer look calculated and out of touch, where Of Montreal's McCain references are a sly wink to the Republicans nasty political ads against Barack Obama.

SELL-OUTS?
Madonna: Madonna's latest corporate tie-in involved hair-care products. Remind me again how "4 Minutes" is supposed to make me want to buy shampoo?

Of Montreal: Kevin Barnes (in)famously re-wrote the lyrics to "Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games)" to shill for Outback Steakhouse.

Advantage: Of Montreal. One gets the impression that Kevin is spending all of his Outback moolah on the band's stage show and increasingly experimental albums. The fans win, even if they now sometimes daydream about Bloomin' Onions while the band performs.

GET INTO THE GROOVE!
Madonna: The 50-year-old Material "Girl" ain't doing so much dancing these days, but its OK: She has backup dancers up the wazoo. Bonus points, however, for Double-Dutch jump roping during "Into the Groove."

Of Montreal: Kevin opened the show with a charmingly awkward sidestep and pogoed during a few numbers later on in the night, but he left most of the choreo to the professionals (dressed as ninjas, tigers and, uh, gold Buddhas).

Advantage: Of Montreal. As technically proficient and wonderful as Madonna's dance team was, there was undeniable charm in the rotating cast of modern dancers on Of Montreal's stage.

MESSING WITH CLASSICS!
Madonna: Madge reinterpreted her old hits in dizzying, exciting new ways. But the gypsy-punk influence on "La Isla Bonita" left a bitter taste in my mouth, only because I already saw her do that arrangement with Gogol Bordello at Live Earth last year.

Of Montreal: The band reinterpreted "That Outback Commercial Song" back to its original, awesome form. They also covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which left a bitter taste in my mouth since Kevin had just faked a suicide onstage (by hanging himself) a couple songs earlier.

Advantage: Madonna. Kudos to her ability to make the 900th time she's sung "Like a Prayer" seem fresh and new. And nobody should ever try "Smells Like Teen Spirit," particularly if they're a band known for cutesy antics.

CURRENT ALBUMS!
Madonna: The skeletal singer is promoting Hard Candy, where the Mother of Reinvention transforms into a desperate, confused pop relic, willing to jump into the lab with any current hitmaker.

Of Montreal: The group is promoting Skeletal Lamping, a concept album where frontman Kevin Barnes transforms into a desperate, gender-confused pop relic from the '70s, willing to jump into bed with any paying john.

Advantage: Of Montreal. Skeletal Lamping is a near-flawless record. Musically, conceptually and lyrically, it takes Of Montreal to bold and exciting new places. Sorry Madge, but Hard Candy felt like the musical equivalent of watching your mom sing a Katy Perry song.

FOUR ACTS!
Madonna: The "Sticky and Sweet" show is split into four distinct sections: Art Deco, "Old School" New York, gypsy party and futuristic Japanese rave.

Of Montreal: The latest tour illustrates the life, death and resurrection of Barnes' stage persona Georgie Fruit. And at one point there was a Western saloon setup.

Advantage: Of Montreal. The always-changing set pieces were ingenious representations of Barnes' elaborate lyrics. Madonna may have the budget, but Of Montreal has the soul. Barnes' hanging (and re-emergence in a coffin) is a visual I won't soon shake.

SPECIAL GUESTS!
Madonna: Chris Rock, Kelly Ripa and Jerry Seinfeld were all spotted in the audience at Saturday's Madison Square Garden gig. Kanye West and Britney Spears were among the superstars who appeared in specially produced video packages during the show. Pharrell Williams rocked out on stage for a few songs, too.

Of Montreal: Hmm...John Norris was there? And MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden joined the band for that embarrassing Nirvana cover.

Advantage: Madonna. Jerry Seinfeld > John Norris. That is, until John becomes a zillionaire TV star thanks to his upcoming sitcom "I'm Not Kurt Loder!" (I've seen the pilot episode, folks, and it's a gut-busting, hilarious surefire hit.)

So there you have it. Yes, Madonna attracts the big A-listers (and is wise enough to let Kurt Cobain rest peacefully), but when it comes to bang for your buck, it's hard to beat Of Montreal's $23 ticket price.

Prince fans have something new to look forward to this month: His first official book!

"21 Nights", a photographic essay about the singer's European tour last summer, co-created with photographer Randee St. Nicholas, is a lavish collection of photos, poetry and music that offers a rare glimpse into the life of one of the world's biggest stars.

The singer performed two intimate benefit shows in New York on Friday night to help promote the book's release.

Fans can peruse more than 100 never-before-published images from his sold-out 21 concerts while listening to Indigo Nights/Live Sessions, the exclusive CD that is included with the book and features 15 live recordings along with one new song. The 77-minute CD attempts to invoke the spirit of his raw after-show sessions while providing a soundtrack for the reader. Fans can follow Prince on his journeys through London and Prague, sharing in escapades with his band of musicians, singers and dancers captured in full color and black and white. The book provides an intimate look at what life on the road is like for one of music's biggest stars — from the frenetic pace backstage to his solitary moments in hotel rooms.

Juxtaposed within these scenes readers will also find poetry written by Prince, pieces that touch on a multitude of inspirations: love, the nature of desire, our current political climate, the price of fame and more. The poetry provides a dreamlike narrative that borders on stream-of-consciousness and is, not surprisingly, similar in theme to the lyrics of many of his songs.

Check out our sneak peek at five images from "21 Nights" after the jump!

Check out Robyn's backstage videos over on MTV's You R Here, and keep coming back for more as the tour rolls on …

It seems like a case of déjà vu for Slipknot.

In July, the metal band's DJ Sid Wilson broke both his heels when jumping off the stage during the launch of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem fest. Today, Slipknot announced that they have been forced to cancel their slots at the Leeds and Reading festivals, as well as their remaining European dates, after drummer Joey Jordison broke his ankle. No word on whether this, too, was the result of an energetic stage performance.

According to a statement posted on the band's MySpace page, "doctors have advised Joey to stay off his leg for four to six weeks to prevent further injury or permanent and more serious damage."

This year's Leeds and Reading festivals, which take place this weekend, would have marked Slipknot's first appearance at the three-day event in six years. The masked Iowa metallers are touring in support of their upcoming album, All Hope Is Gone, which comes out August 25.

"Canceling shows is never an easy decision, and we apologize to all our fans, friends and family for not being there to throw down with you," the band said in the statement. "We will be back in Europe this November."

Slipknot are scheduled to play in Japan, New Zealand and Australia in October and all across Europe in November. Let's hope they lay off the gymnastics until after the tour.