Madonna's Fiasco

London News: Madonna faces fine after turning up late and causing her show to over-run, leaving fans stranded at Wembley

by Richard Moriarty. Friday, 12 September 2008

MADONNA fans were furious today after the Diva was 40 minutes late on stage at Wembley -causing them to miss their last train home.The 50-year-old singer was scheduled on stage at 8.30pm last night for the London-leg of her Hard Candy tour.But she didn't start her first song until 9.10pm meaning her two-hour show ran past the 10.30pm curfew which is in place to ensure concert-goers can get back into central London and make rail connections.

And thousands more inside the venue walked out in disgust after speakers failed in areas of the stadium leaving them unable to hear the songs.

Fan Aidan McCann, 31, who paid £70 for his ticket, said: "I have been a Madonna fan for over 25 years and have gone to all her concerts but the one in London last night was an absolute disgrace.

"There was a lack of screens and you could not hear her. Her promoters over sold tickets for areas of the stadium where the view was really bad.

"I spoke to the customer services manager and he said they had more than 3,000 complaints within the first set and they only had five customer services people on.

"People moved into the aisles and then security were forcing people out of the stadium and into the concourse. Everyone was furious and shouting.

"After seeing Kylie Minogue recently, all I can say is that maybe it is time Madonna gave it up. Kylie charges half the price for a ticket, actually signs live, looks better and cares about the audience.

"Online chatrooms were also flooded with complaints. One fan called Joe wrote: "Very, very, very bad sound! I am a huge Madonna fan and felt like it was a huge letdown.So many people were leaving even halfway through the show.Near me there were a foo boo's and people losing interest. Not to mention, that the stewards at one point were telling people to make the best of a bad situation and dancing to sit down!

"After the gig, thousands of people rushed to Wembley Central Tube station and police were called calm angry fans, many of whom were forced to get expensive taxis home.The station was even closed at one point due to safety fears about overcrowding on the platform. A TfL spokesperson said: ''Last night's Madonna concert at Wembley Stadium was scheduled to finish at 10.30pm when a high level of Tube services were scheduled to ferry concert-goers home.

"Whilst the event finished approximately 40 minutes later when Tube services were less frequent the Tube did continue to run until 1am and was heavily used. In addition 11 different bus routes were also still serving the Wembley complex.

''A spokesman for Madonna denied she was late on stage.He said: "Stage times are only guidelines. I was at the gig and the sound was fine.

"When a George Michael gig over-ran at Wembley by 13 minutes last year, the singer was fined £130, 000.

(The London Paper, 12th of September)

Abaixo, os comentarios das pessoas no site do jornal. O primeiro eh meu. Nao pude deixar de me expressar nessa situacao ridicula!!!

Your comments
Guest_Mark says: This was my first time I went to see Madonna, and what a disgrace!!! The sound was terrible and I couldn't even understand what she was saying or singing. Not to mention the screens, which were so small I couldn't see a thing. Maybe she should spend a bit of her fortune in a better stage production getting bigger screens (i.e: Foo Fighters gig, also at the Wembley, with a 360 degrees screens on the top of the stage). The delay, was absolutely unrespectful. I did managed to get the last tube on may way home, but my housemates got at home at 4:00am!!!! They missed the tube and couldn't find any replacement bus. After walking around for 2h they finally got a cab to central London! Madonna, my darling, it's so beautiful to talk about world's problems, but what about respecting people??? Friday 12 September 2008 13:45

Guest_Ed says: I've been a huge Madonna fan for 25 years but next time I'll spend the money on my credit card bill. The sets were elaborate but the sound was atrocious and I couldn't help but feel she was simply going through the motions. Vast numbers of people left early and those of us who stuck it out were challenged by the transport home. I was one of the lucky ones who got on the tube (and even a seat!) but thousands were left stranded, unable to get home all because her Madgesty was late getting her girdled self on stage. Quite frankly she needs to put that guitar down and hang up her length nude tights! Friday 12 September 2008 13:21

Guest_mike says: maybe the sound was great from where madonna's spokesperson was standing..probably backstage.. he should see the thousands complaining on forums, on live nation and the ones at the stadium itself..it seems that it wasnt just small parts of the stadiums..it was at least the upper terrier....which probably means 30.000 people... not being able to hear music at a music concert is a crime! Friday 12 September 2008 12:59

Guest_Natasha says: Last nights concert was very odd... I went with my sister who is a hardcore Madge fan and once we were in our seats we realised it wasn't going to be great. The stage was a million miles away! Once she was on, the screens were far too small for us to even see her properly & the sound should have been much louder. The crowd was DEAD, it was very strange....almost like we were watching a musical that we couldnt quite hear/see...Having said all of this, Madonna inspired and shocked us all with putting up images and quotes from the koran & various other religions on screen as she sung like a prayer...that was the moment that made me smile. A very strange sequence in the show was when there was a orchastrated group of greek men?? Playing various instruments and singing leila lalala I felt like I was at a dodgy hotel bar on a package holiday. More about the crowd which by far was the most shocking factor, I didnt see one black person there! The majority were gay men (ofcourse) and english women aged between 37-56. Her dance moves looked amazing but then again i dont really know because I couldnt see her. Amazing woman, not so great performer anymore.. Friday 12 September 2008 13:56

Guest_Dion says: I paid 65 pounds for seats that couldn't see the screens let alone Madonna! The sound was atrocious- it was all a bit of an expensive joke really.

Marrie, te desejo toda sorte do mundo no show em Paris.

Mon cue pra Madonna!

Indignado...

xxx