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Not Even For Free

[Blind Gossip] You have to give this girl a solid “B” for effort.

She’s a bit long in the tooth – and her records don’t sell like they once did – but she puts a lot of effort into self promotion and staying in the headlines. Yes, even it it means a little fakery here and there!

Despite her efforts, though, she is not having a lot of success on her concert tour. She keeps cancelling dates based on one malady or another.

Yes, she’s sick/injured.

Sick of playing to empty venues, that is!

And her ego is deeply wounded!

She just can’t fill up a venue any more, even with $40 seats. Even the usual resellers won’t buy tickets because they know they’re going to get stuck with that inventory. 

[Her team] bought huge blocks of tickets and tried giving giving them away for free so at least the venue would look full.

Did that work?

People took the tickets but then didn’t show up! It’s like [year redacted] all over again!

Back in that year, Singer did play to venues that were over half empty. It was embarrassing for her. Her people wound up standing outside the venue and giving the tickets away, and they still couldn’t fill the seats!

Singer was so upset looking out over the audience that she started telling people during the concert to move down from the “cheap” seats and fill up the empty spaces. This created a nightmare for security and pissed off the fans that had actually shelled out money for the “good” seats. She can’t repeat that disaster.

The one thing she won’t do? Put the tickets on Groupon.

If she tried to sell the tickets for a big discount on Groupon (like for $10) everybody would know that the tour was in trouble.

So, for now, it looks like her best bet may be to cancel dates at the last minute and then trying to consolidate two or three or four dates’ worth of buyers into one performance!

Similar: Half Empty Scramble

Singer:

[Optional] How much would you pay for a ticket to her show?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. violetandsnoopy says

    Could be:
    Janet Jackson. She cancelled her previous tour while she was married to that Saudi Arabian. Lack of sales. I saw a pic of her in a black Abaya surrounded by body guards she looked very sad. Her venue’s were arenas.
    Not necessarily Madonna. Her venues are smaller, she has diehard fans, & it is like a Broadway show/performance art all wrapped up in one.
    Only drawbacks to a Madonna concert is that it starts crazy late & no cell phones.
    Janet Jackson $50,but she has to sing jazz.

  2. Ruddiger says

    At first glance – Madonna – but it is not.
    Yes she has cancelled a few shows, but remaining tickets are all £400+ to her other shows.
    This is Gwen Stefani.
    She recently cancelled 6 or so shows & a quick check of ticket selling sites has thousands of $40 seats over every one of her remaining dates.
    This echos her 2016 tour that was also cut short due to no sales. ‘B’ as in “B-a-n-a-n-a-s” – from a song of hers
    Pity… I actually like her a lot.

  4. maisyangevine says

    You are all wrong. Madonna did suffer a major injury on stage this year, and fell pretty damn hard, so I think her cancellations due to injury are probably justified. Also, I saw Madonna just a few years ago for her Rebel Heart tour and it was * was of the best concerts I have been to in my life.

    This story is most definitely about MAriah Carey. Shame she never took care of her spectacular voice.

  6. ChattyCat says

    I used to love Madonna’s work (NOT her, personally, after reading her brother’s book) but she lost me at Ray of Light. She seemed to have lost her groove (Frozen was the only good track).

  7. UncleEntity says

    NOT Madonna.

    #1 the US leg of her tour has been over for a while.

    #2 the reason for any empty seats are the ticket prices and odd setlist. It has nothing whatsoever to do with her being “old”.

    I wanted to see her in Chicago, but the lowest prices were in the $300-400 range. I kept checking for lower prices and it never happened. Madonna still has enough fans that if she lowered prices to $40 she could still sell out stadiums.
    I think this is “B” A N A N A S

    • idontbelievethis says

      I agree with you… also, they said that you couldn’t take your cellphone nor your smart watch… and her hours for concert starts at 11pm and she usually late… most of her fans have kids so all this contributed according to the news outlet. Not a madonna fan, but she still does have a lot of fans and I agree, if they were $40 even I will go see her and buy some for my friends…

    • aaanasa says

      Madonna.

      Based on one malady… MADonna, MAdame X tour. There was a ticket fiasco for her 2012 tour. Live Nation have already come out to speak about rumours of poor sales for this tour. She’s recently canceled dates at very short notice.

  8. Britty Woman says

    Beyoncé’s crew were giving out tickets in venue car parks in the UK last time she did a concert here. Do t think she’s touring at the moment though so it’s probably Madonna.

    • Lemonade says

      Beyoncé hasn’t toured since 2018, and her next album studio album will be out in 2-3 years. She also sells out like crazy.

  10. Deeva E says

    Madonna. I was a fan but lost respect when she consistently showed up to perform up to 2 hours late. Last time I saw her in concert was 2012. That sucks when the concert is on a weeknight and you don’t get home until 1am. Plus her new music is mediocre. If she respected her fans and did a greatest hits tour, I would consider buying a ticket.

    Don’t think this blind is about Janet Jackson. Saw her in Vegas this summer. She didn’t make fans wait too long and have a stellar performance.

  11. Jayzzzzzz says

    Madonna
    I have never gone to a concert of hers. She’s not a great singer, although many of her shows were very dramatic. If I were going to spend that much money on a ticket, I’d rather go to a Broadway show.

  12. WorkHardBeNice says

    Madonna has got to face reality.
    The younguns ain’t checkin for Memaw but I bet there are plenty of seniors who still like to get down.
    She’d make PLENTY of money on the Shady Pines circuit.

  13. seattlemonkey says

    Lemme grab my Sony Walkman and put on my leg warmers, extra long fake pearl necklaces, black lipstick and hair scrunchie and give this some serious thought.

  14. charlene2345 says

    My first thought was Madonna, but I actually think this is Gwen Stefani. Gwen’s canceled four dates in a row because of “an unknown illness.”

  15. KrazyCatLady says

    I have tickets to see Miranda Lambert tomorrow night so I didn’t respond bc I didn’t want to be jinxed. I’m now going w Madonna.
    I would pay up to $100 if she played everything from The Immaculate Collection and some of the other older hits. And she was actually singing. I used to dance around the basement in the early 90s to Papa Don’t Preach singing the lyrics I didn’t understand as my parents prayed I wouldn’t realize what I was saying. Or grow up to be like Madonna.

    • KrazyCatLady says

      Update 2/23
      The boyfriend got sick yesterday afternoon and I COULD NOT GIVE MY TICKETS AWAY. I felt bad. I tried listing them but there’s a limit how low you can list on StubHub. I do live a little over an hour from the venue but it’s SoCal and I put it on FB. Finally my friends husbands boss and his wife took them. That must suck as an artist.

  16. sweetnm80 says

    Madonna…I don’t think it’s Janet as she just announced her tour and hasn’t cancelled dates since her Unbreakable tour.

  17. vanessaperes91 says

    Madonna
    I respect her a lot, she paved the way for all the popstars after her, she was groundbreaking and inspired many important discussions (about feminism, sexuality) but unfortunately no one can stay in the top forever.
    In the last years she’s just trying to copy whatever the younger stars are doing and it’s not working, her music sounds fake and artificial. Plus, she’s not 40 anymore, her body can’t take the same routines.

  22. Hamsterdam says

    Madonna

    She’s cancelled 11 shows on her Madame X tour so far, with “unspecified injuries, maybe knee or ligament problems” given as a reason. Guess a MRI can’t detect a severly bruised ego?

    Wouldn’t pay a dime to see her. Not interested in someone in her 60’s prancing about showing her knickers.

  24. mamacita says

    I hope this is Madonna. She needs to be put in her place the way she treats her fans. I probably wouldn’t show up to her free concert the way she thinks it’s ok to show up 3 hours late to the venue and basically hold people hostage.

    • Deeva E says

      Exactly. I’m over performers who don’t respect their fans. Last Madonna concert, I didn’t get home Until 1 am because she was so late.

    • xphile101 says

      I work in a large venue that hosts concerts in a big city and a few years ago we had Madonna — she came out HOURS late. One guy in my section started complaining about how late she was and how much money he had paid… I wanted to say “Do you think I’m having fun? I should be leaving this place right now, not waiting for the show to start.”

      Will never work another Madonna concert ever again.

  26. Alexis_Rose says

    Honestly, you’d have to pay me (a lot) to watch Madonna. She’s disgusting and I’ve truly never liked her. I’ve never once bought any music she’s put out. I never understood her appeal. Sure, a few of her songs are catchy, I’ll give her that, but overall she’s a revolting human being.

  31. darkrose says

    Madonna.

    Saw her years ago, no desire to see her now. Don’t care for her music at all anymore.

  32. mastik8 says

    Madonna is the obvious choice but I’m wondering if she isn’t too obvious and we’re overlooking someone.

  35. MinnieMe says

    Swifty
    Nothing. I paid $5 for Beatles tickets to Shea Stadium in 1965 and that was good. $40 or more, not so good.

  36. MollySpeyside says

    Sounds like Madonna. So sad. She should quit the iniectables, wear jeans and sneakers and make herself scarce. Then the world would miss and love her again.

  46. Carigirl says

    Hmmm…

    This could be Ciara or Gwen Stefani

    I would pay $20 for either one. Not a huge fan, but it would be cool to say I got to see them in concert.

  48. ILUVCA4evr says

    Oh, this is totally Madonna
    She’s basically, too old to keep playing the ‘sultry girl’. Honestly, she’s just embarrassing.

    How much would I pay? Zero. I lost interest in her YEARS ago.

  49. smlopez5250 says

    Ooh poor madge and her bombed out Madame X album and tour. The biggest ego in the music biz has finally burst into flames mid-tour.

  75. Babycham says

    Sounds like Madonna.
    The best thing for her to do is instead of having a list of venues to perform, she should put all her energy into a one off filmed show, then a dvd could be available for everyone to enjoy.
    I would have liked to have been to one of her concerts, when she was at her peak. I want to remember her as the successful entertainer that she was.

  79. Agent Orangey says

    Madonna. You’d have to pay me to go to her concert. Even then, I would probably just take the money and run.

  87. phoenixsun says

    Madonna her day has come and gone. She should have gone into retirement
    Years ago. Hang it up Marge

  94. jgray766 says

    Gwen Stefani

    And not even free bc I don’t want to see a 50 yr old sing hollaback girl. She is pretty but sounds horrible live.

  98. RebellionTruth says

    Gwen Stefani and her Las Vegas residency.

    And no, not even with huge discounts lol Her old singlesare good but that’s it. I don’t think she’s intereting as an artist/singer

  102. Zafona says

    Totally Madonna. I was on her concert a few years ago although I’m not a fan but the thickets were cheap so I went… and the audience was around 50% empty already then. The performance was bad too I left after half an hour. She doesn’t really sing just dances awkwardly and tries to shock people doing weird stuff. I wouldn’t go for another show even for free.

  106. zappy2050 says

    Janet Jackson or Mariah Carey.

    Play to smaller venues. Not as prestigious -but if you are “long in the tooth” (not my words) – things might have expired.

    Want to be “on tour?” Then do it at smaller venues.

    • zappy2050 says

      Yes, Madonna makes sense. In that case, I don’t think smaller venues will help. Madonna needs to retire.

  113. silence1534 says

    Madonna

    I would pay $40, but I can understand why others wouldn’t. She’s no longer pushing the boundaries like she was in the 80’s and 90’s, she’s older and trying to be youthful when needs to accept aging more gracefully.

  115. Cheezieb says

    Gwen Stefani and her many Vegas show cancels. When she was in MN for the superbowl a few years back they had to downsize the venue and tickets were first discounted then offered for free for casino patrons.
    I think b for effort is a clue – hollaback girl b for bananas. What would I pay? Ummm I was offered free tickets and still didn’t go. LOL

  117. jeepster says

    lana del rey? she cancelled her UK and EU tour this morning as apparently she lost her singing voice and was told by doctors to rest for 4 weeks… her albums have been pretty successful, especially NFR, but having had seen her live before she doesn’t exactly fully sell out arenas?

    am one of the ones who got cancelled on this morning and paid £65 +booking fees. i think that price is fare, would to be honest pay up to a £100. would love to get a free tickets just outside the arena though

  118. beachchick218 says

    Madonna. I wouldn’t pay one red cent. Her music is nasty and she is nasty.

    It might serve her better to retire or do one or two concerts a year.

    It’s funny she wouldn’t let her kids listen to her music, but she wasn’t to principled to get rich on the backs of everyone else’s kids listening to her filth.

    Empty venues? Karma.

  121. meeshpotatoes says

    Madonna.
    Shes lost her touch.
    I would not pay anything to see her. I never thought she was that talented.

    • High Steppa says

      I went to Celine’s Vegas residency early last year and it was a packed house. So I think she’s still good.

  124. aaasheag says

    Madonna

    Probably I’d pay £50 these days.

    Thing is, no one’s music is selling like it did. The last thing the music industry is about is selling the music.

    • violetandsnoopy says

      I actually saw Madam X and it was a good show because she plays at smaller venues but it starts at a crazy hour and No cell phones with cameras out.
      Her live songs are soooo much better.
      I suspect that she will record live plus tape her show and salt it away, ha ha!

  131. tigtig18 says

    Miranda Lambert – she just released an album, cancelled dates and is on tour with really low attendance

  133. Delightful says

    It’s Madonna and it breaks my heart. I saw her twice- once in 2001 or so on the Music tour, and it was awesome. Saw her again in 2011 or so on the MDMA tour and it was not good. She doesn’t need to keep doing this, she should retire from the road and just make music for her own fun and enjoy her life.

    • bertwheeler says

      This is probably the only way she makes good money. Her albums don’t sell, and her songs aren’t played on radio (except her earliest hits on oldies stations, and she has to split those royalties with others).

  141. menageafoie says

    I’m gonna say Madonna, though I’m thinking of Gwen Stefani too. It could fit either one,

    I wouldn’t pay to see either and you’d have to pay me A LOT to sit through one of their ‘shows’.

  142. aaaAtika says

    Madge’s Madame X tour!
    She’s a hasbeen and I would not pay for her effort to pretend she ain’t passed 60 yet!!!!

  147. sunshine702 says

    This is Madonna’s Madame X tour.

    She has more money than she can spend in her lifetime. Retire. $0.

  150. montebell says

    Madonna couldn’t entice me with free tickets. Maybe free tickets plus a new iPad then I may go.

  153. HotTeacher88 says

    Janet Jackson. OMG, just get over it and don’t worry about empty seats!!! Perform to whoever came to see you, and be grateful!!!

    • violetandsnoopy says

      Gwen Stefani has to do a festival like Bonnaroo or Coachella and then I would pay for a day pass.

  157. dizzygirl says

    Madonna? Rather stay home & watch HBO. Actually, i don’t want to see any of them. I grew up.

    • Ruddiger says

      It would seem so at first – but bits do not add up.
      Madge has cancelled gigs due to illness, but tickets to the remaining dates are still $400 plus (with full houses). Her last tour also made millions.
      This blind is Gwen Stefani – a quick search of ticket sites shows hundreds of tickets for $40 on all days… Even the front pit is still available at most shows for $100….