New York, January 21, 2024: Madonna, the iconic pop star often referred to as the queen of pop, has found herself entangled in a legal dispute with disgruntled fans who have filed a federal class action lawsuit alleging “False Advertising” and breach of contract due to delayed concert start times. This legal battle has been ignited following incidents where the singer began three December performances at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center later than initially announced.
Originally scheduled for July as part of Madonna’s Celebration Tour, the concerts were rescheduled to December due to the singer’s illness. The lawsuit, filed on January 17, 2024, in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, contends that Madonna’s actions not only constitute a breach of contract but also encompass charges of false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair and deceptive business practices, as reported by Billboard.
Madonna Sued Over Delayed Concert Starts by Fans Who ‘Had To Get Up Early To Go To Work’ https://t.co/7xqHNPOCd7
— billboard (@billboard) January 18, 2024
Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, two disappointed fans, are the plaintiffs in this legal action. They argue that they expected the December 13 event to commence as per the stated schedule and would not have purchased tickets had they been aware of the considerable delays. The complaint further asserts that both Madonna and the event organizers failed to communicate the delayed start times to ticket holders, leaving attendees inconvenienced late at night with limited public transportation options or facing elevated costs for ride-sharing services.
This lawsuit names Madonna, Live Nation, and the Barclays Center as defendants and alleges a range of violations, including breach of contract, violation of New York’s business practices and deceptive advertising laws, and negligent misrepresentation. Notably, representatives for Madonna and Live Nation have yet to provide any official response to inquiries regarding the case, leaving fans and observers eagerly awaiting the singer’s stance on the matter.
The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond Madonna’s individual circumstances, as The Guardian has noted. It raises questions about whether such legal measures could signify a departure from the traditionally accepted behavior of rock and pop artists. While musicians have often been associated with a degree of rebelliousness and disregard for punctuality, there is a growing sentiment within the industry that artists should show greater consideration for their audience’s time and financial investment.
Examples of artists facing criticism for late starts, such as Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Lauryn Hill, have been cited in this context. Madonna’s own defiant statement, asserting that “a Queen is never late,” has contributed to the ongoing debate, underlining her unapologetic stance on the matter.
Opinions on this issue are divided. Some argue that delays are inherent to the rock ‘n’ roll ethos, as highlighted by Emily Bootle in The Sun, and suggest that artists of Madonna’s stature, who have left an indelible mark on music history, should be afforded some degree of flexibility. Conversely, individuals like Sam Allison of Rough Trade emphasize the frustration experienced by fans when they receive minimal information about the reasons behind late starts.
This lawsuit, seeking class-action status for attendees of other Celebration Tour performances with late start times, brings into focus the question of whether artists should be held legally responsible for commencing their shows later than originally advertised. The inclusion of New York State’s Business Law 149 in the complaint underscores the plaintiffs’ particular concern regarding deceptive advertising.
In an era where fans increasingly value their time and resources, Madonna’s legal battle over late concert starts may potentially signal a broader shift in how artists are held accountable for their performances.
