Madonna hits out at show production staff for blasting air conditioning: “The show will not go on until you respect me”
Madonna hit out at production staff for keeping the air conditioning running at one of her recent shows.
The singer expressed her frustration over the mic during her ‘Celebration Tour’ concert at the Kaseya Center arena in Miami, Florida last Saturday (April 6).
“You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting for this whole fucking show,” she said. “I am working my ass off, I deserve it. Respect me. The show will not go on until you respect me.”
It is reported that the outburst occurred mid-set following various technical issues throughout the gig.
Elsewhere, a fan-shot video sees Madonna telling staff at the venue to “try shutting the doors” or the “curtains to the lounges”. “Oh, you forgot about that?” she added. “Gonna have to dock your pay.”
Oh God yes she's been known for not liking AC I remember how hot it was at the concert cuz she had the AC turned off where's the consideration for her fans
— Blondie (@Blondiee39) April 8, 2024
@MadonnaUltimate said in an update on X/Twitter that the artist was “upset” due to “technical issues happening at the show” as well as “the AC being super cold which [was] affecting her voice”.
In another clip, Madonna told the audience: “I also work very hard, cause I am a mother, and I am an artist. And I… am a Queen, yes. And so I get really mad when people don’t care about my health. This is my 71st show, and I will keep going.”
The star was forced to postpone the North American leg of her ‘Celebration Tour’ last year after being admitted to hospital with a serious bacterial infection.
The Queen Of Pop is said to have ended the Miami concert by telling the crowd and staff at the arena: “I just want to thank everyone who honoured my request to not have the AC on.”
Madonna was upset last night in Miami due to technical issues happening at the show and also the AC being super cold which is affecting her voice ahead of the 2 million people show in Rio. She is absolutely right. People should do their jobs, she does hers #MadonnaCelebrationTour
— Madonna Ultimate (@MadonnaUltimate) April 7, 2024
"I also work very hard, cause I am a mother, and I am artist. And I …am a Queen yes. I get really mad when people don't care about my health. This is my 71st show. And I will keep going." #MadonnaCelebrationTour https://t.co/lJJjhmg3qy
— Madonna Ultimate (@MadonnaUltimate) April 7, 2024
Oh God yes she's been known for not liking AC I remember how hot it was at the concert cuz she had the AC turned off where's the consideration for her fans
— Blondie (@Blondiee39) April 8, 2024
On Instagram, one attendee wrote: “It was hot in there!! […] I used my pizza box cover to fan myself. Another said: “I remember how hot it was at the concert cuz she had the AC turned off. Where’s the consideration for her fans[?]”
Madonna is notably opposed to the use of air conditioning at the venues she is performing at. During a stop on her ‘Madame X’ tour in 2019, fans began chanting at the singer to turn on the air-con (via Miami New Times).
“Fuck you! I’m cold,” she reportedly responded at that show. “Take your fucking clothes off.” Madonna hinted that the high temperature helped ease the pain that had caused her to cancel three dates less than a month prior.
Madonna returned to the Kaseya Center in Miami for two more shows on April 7 and 9. The latter included an emotional tribute to the 2016 Orlando shooting victims: “This shit is not supposed to happen. Don’t forget about it.”
The lawsuit accused her of not only breaching contracts with ticket buyers, but also of “false advertising, negligent representation, and unfair and deceptive trade practices”.
Madonna’s career-spanning ‘Celebration Tour’ is due to conclude with a huge free concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 4, marking her biggest show ever.
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Tom Skinner
NME