Update:
- Madonna, Live Nation and the Barclays Center asked a federal judge in New York to toss a class action lawsuit claiming the trio tricked fans into buying tickets for a show on Dec. 13, 2023, that started two hours late.
- The defendants argue “no reasonable concertgoer” would expect the headliner of a show to take the stage at the ticketed event time and that the fans behind the complaint never sought a refund before filing the lawsuit.
- Madonna, Live Nation and Barclays Center also argue the fans did not allege the show was subpar or worth less than what they paid and did not leave before the show was over.
- However, the fans claim the trio breached their contract with concertgoers with the late start time and by failing to notify them the singer historically shows up late to her shows.
Madonna fans class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiffs Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden sued Madonna, Live Nation and Barclays Center.
- Why: The defendants allegedly failed to notify ticket holders for a Dec. 13 Madonna concert that the performer historically shows up late to her shows, and Madonna fans had to wait more than two hours for the show to start.
- Where: The Madonna late performance took place at Barclays Center in New York City, and the Madonna class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.
(Jan. 24, 2024)
A pair of Madonna fans filed a class action lawsuit against the singer, Live Nation and event venue Barclays Center after the singer allegedly showed up more than two hours late for a Dec. 13 concert in New York.
Plaintiffs Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden claim in the Madonna late performance class action that the performer did not take the stage until after 10:30 p.m. on all three nights of her scheduled Barclays Center performances, two hours after the shows’ 8:30 p.m. start times.
Madonna class action says tickets displayed clear 8:30 p.m. start time
Fellows says in the Madonna fans class action that he paid $155.90 for a ticket to attend the Dec. 13, 2023, Madonna performance at the Barclays Center, and Hadden says he paid $292.50 for two tickets to the same show.
The terms and conditions printed on the tickets stated that the concert would start at 8:30 p.m., according to the Madonna class action lawsuit. Therefore, the plaintiffs said they arrived prior to 8:30 p.m because that was the time they expected the concert to begin.
However, Madonna allegedly took the stage sometime between 10:45 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., more than two hours after the scheduled start time.
The Madonna late performance time meant that concertgoers left the venue after 1:00 a.m., leaving them with few transportation options, the plaintiffs allege.
“In addition, many ticket holders who attended concerts on a weeknight had to get up early to go to work and/or take care of their family responsibilities the next day,” the Madonna class action lawsuit alleges.
Late performances are a known issue for Madonna, plaintiffs say
The plaintiffs say that Madonna has a history of starting her concerts late, yet Live Nation and Barclays Center failed to notify ticket holders that the concert would begin much later than the start time printed on the ticket.
“Defendants engaged in unconscionable, unfair and/or deceptive trade practices by offering to the public concerts that were promised to begin at 8:30 p.m., knowing that Madonna would most certainly not take the stage at the advertised start time,” the complaint says.
The Madonna class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
In 2022, a disgruntled Taylor Swift fan filed a class action lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster over their allegedly exorbitant fees.
What do you think about the Madonna late performance lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
Fellows and Hadden are represented by Richard A. Klass of the Law Office of Richard A. Klass and Marcus W. Corwin of Corwin Law.
The Madonna late performance class action lawsuit is Michael Fellows, et al. v. Madonna Louise Ciccone, et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-00357, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
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8 thoughts onMadonna class action defendants seek dismissal in case over late performance
My husband and I saw Madonna in Tampa and she was 2 hours late. It seemed it was a scheme to sell more T shirts and alcohol and food. I saw no musical instruments playing except a probably prop guitar Madonna had.. I felt like I was listening to a loud recording, and the base was so loud it reverberated in my ears. No encore, when it ended with lights suddenly came on, I loudly spontaneously said, ” is that it?? No thanks for coming to see me/ etc. Horrible.
I was piss that she didn’t show at time was stated.
I experienced the same thing. I went to see Madonna in Dallas, TX and she came on 2.5 hours late. The show was such a disappointment that we actually left 55 min early. Very poorly set up and executed. I was bummed out.
$150 to see Madonna? Lot of money to see a senior twerk. One can only assume the Fans were seniors as well and it was past their bedtime.
Most entertainers respectfully start their shows on time. For the few who feel no responsibility to perform their duties in a business they are being paid very well for, they have a moral, and probably a legal, obligation to their fans “the ticket holders” who pay dearly to be entertained by the performer for a mere few hours. When an entertainer fails to keep their end of the agreement “breach of contract” the customer is entitled to not only a refund, but “reasonable compensation” for their other losses surrounding the incident, whether it be a financial settlement or complimentary tickets to future shows, free meet & greet, etc. Furthermore, the company who puts on the concert should terminate their contract with negligent performers and join in on the lawsuit.
Agree with this lawsuit. Sick and tired of pompous entertainers. Either come close to the time that is posted or change the tickets. I remember when I was in college and we had to wait over 2 hrs to see Rod Stewart-no apology and not that long of a show. Last concert I ever went to as it pissed me off so much. I hope that those 2 win.
I was at the Jan 15, 2024 Madonna concert in Detroit and she was 2 hours late. The concert was supposed to start at 8:30 and didn’t start until 10:30pm. Besides being perturbed about sitting in our seats for 2 hours and paying the arena prices for drinks, I thought it was just rude. If we would have known the concert was 2 hrs late we would have supported local bars/restaurants. Her concert was 2 1/2hrs so we didn’t get out of the arena until 1:00am. Normally we go to a pub close by to support and chat with all the other concert goers and was not able to support them either. It’s just a big inconvenience and I think it’s awful that she doesn’t think of others and the other establishments that she is harming. Her name has really gone to her head.
I agree, it’s disrespectful, exactly why I don’t go to her concerts anymore. We’re not the peasants so don’t treat us like that, though she is liberal.