Madonna Angers Australian Fans With 2-Hour Concert Delay

The pop star had been due to start at 9 p.m. local time but did not take the stage at the Brisbane Entertainment Center until 11:22 p.m.

Hundreds of angry fans had left the venue by then and demanded refunds at the ticket office after a public announcement that the “Rebel Heart” show would not start before 10:30 p.m.

During the concert, she thanked the crowd that was near the venue’s 13,500 capacity for their patience, but joked they had arrived too early.

“We started late – that hardly ever happens,” she said. “You were here too early. You should have taken your time doing your hair and makeup. Then I wouldn’t have been late.”

The last train left the entertainment center in the outer suburb of Boondall at 12: 15 a.m. – around an hour before the concert eventually ended. Long lines of concertgoers waited for taxis.

The venue and Madonna’s publicist did not immediately respond to requests for comment

Madonna plays a second Brisbane concert on Thursday night before ending the tour in Sydney.