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Madonna’s impromptu gig for Paris residents

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US pop star Madonna has given an impromptu acoustic performance out in the open in Paris, a tribute to the city in the wake of the terrorist attacks last month.

At Place de la Republique, which has become an unofficial hub for mourners of the November 13 attacks, Madonna sang a series of songs to a small crowd.

“It was inspiring, it was raw, it was real,” said Pete Hall, 45, a tourist from London who had just left Madonna’s concert at Bercy when he saw on social media she was at the square in central Paris.

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“She was paying her respects to Paris,” he said.

Madonna singing with son David and her guitarist. Photo: ABC

Madonna singing with son David and her guitarist. Photo: ABC

Wearing a down jacket with a fur hood over her head and accompanied by her son and her long-time guitarist Monte Pittman, Madonna sang her hits “Like a Prayer” and “Ghosttown”, as well as John Lennon’s “Imagine”, according to those who attended the concert.

“She wanted to pay tribute, she loves this city,” Pittman said.

“It is magical. I will never forget this.”

The Paris attacks, carried out by the Islamic State group and the deadliest ever in France, killed 130 people and left 350 others wounded.

Earlier, at the concert at Bercy, Madonna made an emotional appeal to the audience, shouting: “We will not bend down to fear!”

“I think of what happened almost four weeks ago now,” she said.

“The heart of Paris and the heart of France beats in the heart of each city.”

She continued: “We are one heart and our heart can beat as one … The power of love is greater than the love of power.

“I came here when I was 20 and it was here, in Paris, that I decided to make music. Thank you Paris for planting that seed in my heart!”

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