The Queen of Pop may be facing a rebellion not on the dance floor, but in the courtroom. Two concertgoers in New York City are suing Madonna after her highly anticipated “Celebration Tour” shows started significantly later than advertised. This legal challenge throws a spotlight on the increasingly common practice of late concert starts and raises questions about artist accountability to fans.
Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, the two concertgoers, filed their lawsuit claiming Madonna’s December 13th show at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center began nearly two hours after the 8:30pm advertised start time. The late start meant the concert ended well after midnight, causing transportation difficulties and impacting their work schedules the next day.
“We bought tickets to see a legend,” stated Fellows in a press release. “But instead of being entertained, we ended up frustrated and exhausted. Madonna’s disregard for our time and money is unacceptable.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for breach of contract and deceptive advertising. It alleges that the late start “deprived concertgoers of the full performance they paid for and substantially diminished the value of their tickets.”
This isn’t the first time Madonna has faced legal action over tardiness. In 2019, a Florida fan filed a similar lawsuit after her “Madame X” show started late. While the suit was later dismissed, it highlights a growing trend of concertgoers holding artists accountable for delays.
While some fans view late starts as inevitable inconveniences, others argue that artists have a responsibility to respect their audience’s time and deliver the experience they paid for. Madonna’s case sparks a wider discussion about artist behavior, fan expectations, and the value of live music experiences.
The outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, but it has already generated significant buzz and ignited debate. For now, one thing is clear: in the battle between “Material Girl” and the disgruntled fans, the courtroom has become the latest dance floor.
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