Pop icon Madonna has faced several hardships on her Madame X World Tour, cancelling shows and arriving late to others. Now, she is facing a class-action lawsuit in the state of New York for her tardiness at two Brooklyn gigs.
Andrew Panos and Antonio Velotta filed the suit against the pop singer, noting that she was three hours late to Brooklyn concerts on September 21 and October 1, according to documents filed by attorneys Richard Klass and Marcus Corwin in Kings County Supreme court, Billboard reports. Live Nation, the promoter of the tour, has been named as a co-defendant in the suit. Panos and Velotta are claiming that they were “lulled into purchasing expenseive tickets” with other New York fans and the shows started at 10:30 p.m., despite the 8:30 p.m. advised start time.
The pair are suing Madonna and Live Nation for false advertising, negligent misrepresentation, unfair and deceptive trade practices and unjust enrichment, among other charges. According to the complaint, Panos purchased two tickets for the September 21 concert for $800 total and Velotta purchased one ticket for the October 1 show for $321. Both men were denied a refund by Live Nation and unable to resell their tickets due to the late timing.
Those who were unable to stay for the show said this led to an “extreme loss in value.” The suit also notes that those who had to leave early – due to prior commitments the next morning – were left stranded at the venue because they missed rides or were unable to access the metro, which was closed after the concert ended at 1 a.m. Many, who were also forced to surrender their phones at the venue, were unable to arrange for rides once the concert was delayed.
Panos and Velotta are seeking actual and consequential damages, attorney fees, and “costs pursuant to the Contract or other New York law or Federal Law,” as well as pre and post-judgement interest.
Previously, Madonna was named in a class-action suit this past November by Nate Hollander, who sough $15,000 in damages after Live Nation would not refund his tickets after the gig started two hours late. He is suing for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation. Madonna addressed the suit at her Las Vegas show, telling the crowd: “There’s something that you all need to understand…And that is that a queen is never late.”
Madonna is slated to wrap-up the Madame X World Tour in March. Currently, she’s performing at the London Palladium through mid-February, followed by gigs at Le Grand Rex in Paris.