(DailyChive.com) – Pop icon Madonna faces legal action from two disgruntled fans, Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, who attended her Celebration tour show at New York’s Barclays Center on December 13th. The duo filed a lawsuit in Brooklyn federal court, alleging that the show, which was advertised to start at 8:30 PM, did not commence until after 10:30 PM, thereby violating the terms of the contract and constituting “a wanton exercise in false advertising.”
The lawsuit claims that the late finish of the weeknight concert inconvenienced concertgoers by leaving them “stranded in the middle of the night” and resulted in limited transportation options and increased costs. Furthermore, Fellows and Hadden assert that the extended duration of the show affected their ability to fulfill family responsibilities the following day.
Madonna, Barclays Center, and tour promoter Live Nation are accused of engaging in “unconscionable, unfair, and deceptive trade practices” in the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks class-action status for other Celebration tour attendees who experienced similar delays, including the subsequent shows on December 14th and 16th.
Madonna has a history of facing lawsuits for tardiness, with past cases in Florida and New York, though they were ultimately dismissed. The current legal action highlights a recurring theme in the singer’s career.
The phenomenon of delayed performances is not exclusive to Madonna, as the live music industry has witnessed instances of diva-esque behavior from various artists. Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Lauryn Hill have all faced criticism for their late arrivals at concerts. The lawsuit against Madonna draws attention to a broader issue in the industry, prompting discussions about the need for artists to be more respectful of their fans’ time.
Sam Allison, head of events and partnerships at Rough Trade, acknowledges the trend of musicians starting performances late, expressing concern about its impact on fans. While there are no specific laws in the UK holding artists accountable for late starts, Allison suggests that it is time for artists to show more consideration for their audiences.
Kelly Wood, national organizer for live performance at the Musicians’ Union, offers a more balanced perspective, noting that while there may be a few notorious offenders, most musicians respect their contractual obligations and appreciate their audiences’ efforts to attend shows.
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