Jeff Fusco / Getty Images Madonna showed up two and a half hours late for her Philadelphia concert, only the latest headline-making goof for the Material Girl. By Courtney Garcia, NBC News contributor What's up with Madonna's concert behavior? She's flashed body parts, performed with a swastika superimposed on her face, pointed a gun at herself on stage, and now she's irritated fans by making them wait two and a half hours past the scheduled starting time of her Philadelphia concert. According to CBS Philly , the premiere stop on her first U.S. tour in four years was scheduled for an 8 p.m.start Tuesday night. Eight o'clock came and went. So did eight-thirty. So did nine o'clock. Fans waited, and waited, and waited, and the singer finally came out on stage around 10:30 p.m. That was too late to stick around for some fans. I dont know who you think you are Madonna, but you stink, Debbie Bleznak told CBS on her way out of the show. We left. You can pay my babysitt...

Already thirty-four dates into the globetrotting MDNA Tour, Madonna embraced the opportunity to address her first American audience at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday (Aug. 28). Madonna Starts a Riot in Philly CHECK OUT NEW PHOTOS HERE "In my country we have freedom of speech. We have freedom of expression," she began in a mid-show breather, referencing her world tour, which began May 31 in Tel Aviv, Israel. She made a string of relevant references, from jailed homosexuals in St. Petersburg to a show of support for the recently imprisoned Russian punk protestors Pussy Riot. "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted." Being a socially conscious 53-year old performer capable of championing the MDNA Tour's theatrics, Madonna is setting a pretty good example. The first American performance of her ninth world tour was a show of strength for the pop star, as she and her ensemble tore through nearly two-dozen cuts from her ever-dee...

PHILADELPHIA A ritual, a blood bath, slacklining , a partial striptease, drummers in midair, traditional Basque harmonies, a psychedelic train ride theyre all part of Madonnas MDNA tour, which started its North American itinerary with an arena concert here at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. It comes to Yankee Stadium next Thursday and Sept. 8. Madonna has described the show in a statement as the journey of a soul from darkness to light, and perhaps it is. Near the beginning, after tolling church bells and chanting, a gun-toting Madonna is besieged by assailants from all directions and dispatches them in self-defense as giant spatters of blood fill the video screen. In that opening segment she sings about jealousy, divorce and, in Revolver with images of guns and ammunition about sex as a weapon. Yet the bad-gal nastiness soon gives way to more generous impulses, trading violent shock value for flamboyant showmanship. By the end shes sharing a big dance party. And the conc...

Already thirty-four dates into the globetrotting MDNA Tour, Madonna embraced the opportunity to address her first American audience at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday (Aug. 28). Madonna Starts a Riot in Philly CHECK OUT NEW PHOTOS HERE "In my country we have freedom of speech. We have freedom of expression," she began in a mid-show breather, referencing her world tour, which began May 31 in Tel Aviv, Israel. She made a string of relevant references, from jailed homosexuals in St. Petersburg to a show of support for the recently imprisoned Russian punk protestors Pussy Riot. "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted." Being a socially conscious 53-year old performer capable of championing the MDNA Tour's theatrics, Madonna is setting a pretty good example. The first American performance of her ninth world tour was a show of strength for the pop star, as she and her ensemble tore through nearly two-dozen cuts from her ever-dee...

PHILADELPHIA A ritual, a blood bath, slacklining , a partial striptease, drummers in midair, traditional Basque harmonies, a psychedelic train ride theyre all part of Madonnas MDNA tour, which started its North American itinerary with an arena concert here at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. It comes to Yankee Stadium next Thursday and Sept. 8. Madonna has described the show in a statement as the journey of a soul from darkness to light, and perhaps it is. Near the beginning, after tolling church bells and chanting, a gun-toting Madonna is besieged by assailants from all directions and dispatches them in self-defense as giant spatters of blood fill the video screen. In that opening segment she sings about jealousy, divorce and, in Revolver with images of guns and ammunition about sex as a weapon. Yet the bad-gal nastiness soon gives way to more generous impulses, trading violent shock value for flamboyant showmanship. By the end shes sharing a big dance party. And the conc...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) As she kicked off the U.S. leg of her "MDNA Tour" in Philadelphia , Madonna said she was happy to party in the USA after touring Europe for three months. The pop icon told the crowd Tuesday night they should "never forget how lucky you are to live where you live and to have the freedom that you have." She made the comments after talking about punk-rock group Pussy Riot's recent arrest in Moscow for the female band's lyrical content about Russian President Vladimir Putin . Madonna said it was no coincidence that she opened her U.S. tour "where the Declaration of Independence was signed." Then the 53-year-old yelled: "We are in the land of democracy." She also told the crowd: "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted."

Already thirty-four dates into the globetrotting MDNA Tour, Madonna embraced the opportunity to address her first American audience at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday (Aug. 28). Madonna Starts a Riot in Philly CHECK OUT NEW PHOTOS HERE "In my country we have freedom of speech. We have freedom of expression," she began in a mid-show breather, referencing her world tour, which began May 31 in Tel Aviv, Israel. She made a string of relevant references, from jailed homosexuals in St. Petersburg to a show of support for the recently imprisoned Russian punk protestors Pussy Riot. "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted." Being a socially conscious 53-year old performer capable of championing the MDNA Tour's theatrics, Madonna is setting a pretty good example. The first American performance of her ninth world tour was a show of strength for the pop star, as she and her ensemble tore through nearly two-dozen cuts from her ever-dee...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) As she kicked off the U.S. leg of her "MDNA Tour" in Philadelphia , Madonna said she was happy to party in the USA after touring Europe for three months. The pop icon told the crowd Tuesday night they should "never forget how lucky you are to live where you live and to have the freedom that you have." She made the comments after talking about punk-rock group Pussy Riot's recent arrest in Moscow for the female band's lyrical content about Russian President Vladimir Putin . Madonna said it was no coincidence that she opened her U.S. tour "where the Declaration of Independence was signed." Then the 53-year-old yelled: "We are in the land of democracy." She also told the crowd: "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted."

WENN Madonna shares MDNA tour 'manifesto,' explains gun use Aug. 28, 2012, 3:38 PM EST David Greenwald Billboard Madonna is defending her MDNA tour in a new "manifesto." The pop star's latest dates have turned heads across the world with their gun and swastika iconography as well as her statements in support of jailed Russian punk band Pussy Riot and the LBGT community, among others. "My show is a journey," she begins in the free verse-style note, released to Billboard.com, which explains the use of fake guns "as metaphors." "When you watch a film there are usually good guys and bad guys to help illustrate this point," she writes. "Sometimes I play both." Bing: Madonna breaks 'gay propaganda' law in Russia Read Madonna's full letter below: "My show Is a journey The journey of a soul from darkness to light It is part cinematic musical theatre. Part spectacle and sometimes intimate Performance art. "Bu...

Aug 28, 2012 03:57 PM ET by Sadie Gennis Madonna Swastikas, fake guns and flashing, oh my! Madonna 's MDNA tour has gotten the singer tons of press not to mention a few enemies, including a Russian civil rights group, an entire arena of French fans and Elton John . In an open letter, written in a free-verse style and released to Billboard.com , Madonna explained the more controversial components of her tour, which garnered such harsh criticism. "My show/Is a journey/The journey from darkness to light," Madonna begins before defending her use of fake guns. VIDEO: Madonna forgives Elton John during concert performance Or does she? "It's true there is a lot of violence in the beginning of the show and sometimes the use of fake guns but they are used as metaphors," she writes. "I do not condone violence or the use of guns. Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging. "...

Madonna performs in concert at the Stade de France near Paris on July 14, 2012. UPI/David Silpa License photo Published: Aug. 28, 2012 at 1:21 AM LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna says she canceled planned tour dates in Australia early next year because she needs to spend time with her four children. The concerts would have been her first in Australia in 20 years, E! News said. "So, I just want to say to all of my Australian fans that I am really and truly sorry to have disappointed you, and that's something that I don't feel very good about," Madonna said in an audio message posted on her Web site Monday. "I know the last time I was on tour, I missed Australia as well, and I can promise you in my heart of hearts that it was my intention to come again, but like the last time, my children are my first priority. I have two scales that I have to weigh in front of me -- my job as a singer and entertainer, and my job as a mother," she explaine...

Madonna hasn't been to Australia in almost 20 years, and the "Girl Gone Wild" star again skipped the country when scheduling her "MDNA" tour, which kicked off in Israel on May 31. On Sunday, Madge issued an audio message to fans in Australia, apologizing for once again leaving their country off her tour schedule. "I just want to say to all of my Australian fans that I am really and truly sorry to have disappointed you," she said. "I know the last time I was on tour, I missed Australia as well, and I can promise you in my heart of hearts that it was my intention to come again, but like the last time, my children are my first priority." Although it was announced in February that Madonna would be performing in Australia, Live Nation confirmed in July that the "MDNA" tour would wrap in South America in December after traveling through Asia, Europe and North America. Madonna was last in Australia for the "Girlie Show World Tour,...

Madonna earns her record-extending 43rd No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart, as "Turn Up the Radio" lifts 2-1. (The ranking will refresh on Billboard.com Thursday, Aug. 30.) "Radio" is Madonna's third Dance/Club Play Songs No. 1 from "MDNA," which bowed atop the Billboard 200 the week of April 14. "Give Me All Your Luvin'," featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., led the week of March 31, while "Girl Gone Wild" reached No. 1 just three weeks later. "Radio" is headed for radio, too: Interscope Records begins seeking airplay for the song at mainstream top 40 stations on Sept. 25. With her 43rd leading title on Dance/Club Play Songs, Madonna pulls further away from runner-up Janet Jackson , who has 19. Beyonce and Rihanna follow with 18 No. 1s each, trailed by Kristine W (16) and Mariah Carey (15). Looking forward, with one more No. 1 on Dance/Club Play Songs, the Material Girl would claim even more histor...

Madonna is sorry for letting her Aussie fans down by cancelling her proposed Aussie tour to head home to her kids. Madonna has apologised to her Australian fans for choosing motherhood over her music. Even though no official dates for the Australian leg of her MDNA tour were ever announced the Material Girl has recorded a personal message for her fans to say sorry for bypassing the land down under, yet again. "I know the last time I was on tour I missed Australia as well. I can promise you in my heart of hearts it was my intention to come again, but like the last time my children are my first priority," the single mother of four said. "My daughter's going to be leaving home soon, she's 16-years-old and it was a really hard decision for me to make," she said referring to her eldest daughter Lourdes Leon. "I have two scales I have to weigh in front me of me, my job as a singer and entertainer and my job as a mother. Because my children are older I can...

London, August 27 ( ANI ): Madonna, who has recently made headlines for her dressing too provocatively during her gigs, has been judged too old to influence young people to drink vodka, according to an advertising watchdog. A recent ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority ( ASA ) concluded that since the singer's fan-base was primarily those who enjoyed her tunes in the 1980s, they were old enough to drink alcohol. The decision came in response to a complaint that a Smirnoff advert featuring Madonna dancing on stage would encourage youngsters not yet 18 to drink. The 1980s pop icon's raunchy performances, minimal costumes and propensity to shock with acts such as showing her nipple, have caused much debate bur she was still judged 'too old' to appeal to younger generations. "We considered that the ad had been designed with Madonna's older fanbase in mind and that the shots of the concert, the dancers and the Madonna soundtrack used would not have particu...

Madonna performs in Russia earlier this month. Picture: AP Source: AP Madonna performs in Russia earlier this month. Picture: AP Source: AP MADONNA has finally revealed why she scrapped the Australian leg of her world tour - twice - to stay at home with the kids. In a recorded audio-only message on her official website, the popstar apologised for letting Australian fans down but said her children needed her more. "I have two scales I have to weigh in front of me, my job as a singer and entertainer and my job as a mother," she said. "At the end of the year I really feel I would be an irresponsible parent if I did not stop the tour and be home with them. "My daughter's going to be leaving home soon - she's almost 16 years old. I feel really bad because I do not take your love and support for me for granted." Madonna flagged her intentions to tour here back in January following intense lobbying from fans after she skipped Australia on her Sticky and S...

Madonna has announced that she's ready to bury the hatchet with Elton John -- but she's done it in a passive-aggressive way. The pop titans'decade-long feudreached new heights -- or depths -- in a recent interview on Australian TV, when John said of the Material Girl's new album and world tour, "She's such a nightmare. Her career is over, I can tell you that. Her tour is a disaster and it couldn't happen to a bigger c---." For good measure, John added, "And she looks like a f---ing fairground stripper." But the spirit of forgiveness apparently took over Madonna at a concert Tuesday night in Nice, France. Sort of. "I'd like to dedicate this next song to a Mr. Elton John," she told the crowd. "I know he's a big fan of it, and I know he's a big fan of mine. And you know what? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere." Elton John: Madonna Looks Like a 'Fairground Stripper' The catch: The song she launched int...

Aug 24, 2012 06:44 PM ET by Kate Stanhope Madonna, Elton John Is Madonna really trying to be the bigger person? Or is she just rubbing it in? At a recent concert in France, Madge dedicated one of her songs to Elton John . You know, that one guy who compared her to a "fairground stripper" and said her career was over? "I know he's a big fan of it," Madonna says of the song. "And I know he's a big fan of mine. And you know? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere." Elton John: Madonna is a "fairground stripper" whose career is over Aw, Madonna sounds so sincere! But wait. The song she dedicates to John, 65, is "Masterpiece," the song that beat Elton John's "Hello Hello" at this year's Golden Globe awards. (In case you also forgot that part of the feud , John's longtime partner, David Furnish , blasted her win over John at the ceremony, writing on his Facebook page, "Madonna. Best song???? F--k off!!! Madon...

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans The Diva War Wages On!: Madonna and Elton John , round two! After dubbing Madonna a "fairground stripper," Elton John is now on the receiving end of some shade (wrapped in an apology) from the fair's most successful dancer for hire. Madonna addressed Elton's recent criticisms at a concert in Nice, France before singing her Golden Globe-winning song "Masterpiece" this week, saying she's forgive him . But Madonna fans might think her apology isn't exactly an olive branch. "I know he's a big fan of [' Masterpiece']. And I know he's a big fan of mine. And you know? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere," she told the crowd, about the song that beat out Elton's "Hello Hello" for Best Original Song at this year's Globes in January. Check out the shade from Nice, HERE ! PLAY IT NOW: Madonna & Britney Spears Twitter Lovefest Speaking Of Divas: Looks like Kim Kardash...

WENN Madonna removes swastika from video image of French politician Aug. 23, 2012, 6:26 PM EST RollingStone Madonna has removed the swastika superimposed over an image of right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen from a video played during shows on her European tour, the New York Times reports. The video that contained the image -- as well as other political and religious figures including Pope Benedict XVI, Sarah Palin and Chinese President Hu Jintao -- accompanied Madonna on the song "Nobody Knows Me." When she performed the track Tuesday in Nice, France, the video depicted Le Pen's face with a question mark over it instead. Bing: Madonna breaks 'gay propaganda' law in Russia "It's proof that our arguments won out," Gal Nofri, the leader of a Nice-based conservative group that supports Le Pen's National Front Party, told Agence France-Presse. "It's excellent news." The National Front party has spoken out several times about t...

Madonna and Elton John have quite a history of cattiness between them, which came to a head recently when John sat down for an interview and proceeded to call Madonna a c**t who dresses like a fairground stripper. Apparently hes irritated with the way shes been treating his BFF, Lady Gaga (who is also godmother to his son), and thinks her career is over. She is such a nightmare, he said . Her career is over, I can tell you that. Her tour has been a disaster and it couldnt happen to a bigger c**t. John has also publicly bashed Madge for lip-synching during her shows, saying she should be shot for making her fans pay $134 a ticket for it. But when she won a Golden Globe over him for her song Masterpiece, he was really sent into a tizzy, as was his husband David Furnish. Furnish tweeted about the win after the awards show with some scathing words. Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in its na...

Aug 23, 2012 6:56am Email Smaller Font Text Larger Text | Print Based on what she reportedly said onstage at her concert in Nice, France on Tuesday night, it looks like Madonna doesnt hold a grudge against Elton John for those critical things he said about her on Australian TV not long ago . According to the Twitter feed of the local paper, Nice Matin, Madonna performed her song Masterpiece at the show and dedicated it to Elton, saying hes a big fan of hers. Then she added, I forgive him. The choice of Masterpiece as the dedication song, though, may have been a backhanded tribute. You may recall that its the song that won her a Golden Globe earlier this year, beating out a song of Eltons in the process. Prior to the show, Elton declared that she didnt have a chance of winning; afterwards, his partner David Furnish publicly trashed Madonna and complained about the win. At that same concert in Nice, Madonna seemed to bow to political pressure by changing one of the video clips...

After sparking a rows twice this summer in Paris, pop icon Madonna struck a conciliatory note in the South of France on Tuesday night at her MDNA Tour concert in Nice. Gone was the litigious swastika pasted on a French politician's likeness, but for once, the singer was accused of cowering in the face of controversy. In July, the 54 year-old pop star sparred with France's far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, 44. No stranger to controversy herself, the telegenic Le Pen - who placed third in France's presidential election this year after succeeding her firebrand father Jean-Marie as party chief - pressed charges after Madonna's July 14 stadium show in Paris projected an image of the politician with a swastika emblazoned on her forehead. Less than two weeks after that debacle, Madonna was heartily booed in central Paris by a crowd largely comprised of her own fan club members. That second, more intimate show at the legendary Olympia Theater, which was hastily ann...

Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Freud Madonna ended her summer tour de France with a peace offering to right-wing politician Marine Le Pen at a concert in Nice on Tuesday night. Around 11:30 p.m., Madonna screened a video accompanying her song "Nobody Knows Me" that included an image of Le Pen. But this time, instead of superimposing a swastika on Le Pen's face, the pop queen added a question mark. Madonna angered the conservative Front National party earlier this summer when she showed that video with the swastika imageryduring concerts in Tel Aviv and Paris."I know that I made a certain Marine Le Pen very angry with me. And its not my intention to make enemies," Madonna stated last month. As of last Thursday night, FN members on the Cote dAzur covered up Madonnas concert posters with those of Le Pen. The pop singers MDNA tour has been no holiday in the country. Disappointing ticket sales and even more disappointed fans, bad reviews and a run-in with the FN h...

Madonna performs on stage at the Charles Ehrmann stadium on August 21, 2012 in Nice southeastern France, as part of her MDNA world tour. Picture: AFP Source: AFP Pianist Elton John. Source: PerthNow MADONNA has made the first step in repairing her fractured friendship with Elton John. During a performance in Nice last night, Madonna dedicated the song Masterpiece to the pianist who called her a ''fairground stripper''. Madonna fan @nice_matin reported the 53-year-old saying of Elton John ''he's a big fan and I forgive him.'' The move may have been strategic - Masterpiece from Madonna's film W.E , beat Elton John's Hello Hello from Gnomeo and Juliet at this year's Golden Globe. Madonna (centre) performs on stage with dancers at the Charles Ehrmann stadium on August 21, 2012 in Nice southeastern France, as part of her MDNA world tour. Picture: AFP Source: AFP Elton's husband David Furnish vented on Facebook ''Madonna...

Madonna performs live at The NIA in Birmingham on July 19, 2012. UPI/Paul Treadway License photo Published: Aug. 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM NICE, France, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- France's far-right National Front party warned of "consequences" if Madonna links the party's leader to Nazism in a video montage at a Nice concert Tuesday. "Madonna does not understand French politics and she does not understand the concept of democracy," Nice FN chief Lydia Schenardi told the France 24 news channel. "The FN is a legitimate party and it is an unacceptable slur to link its leader to the Nazis. If she shows this video again tonight, we will certainly lodge another complaint for defamation." The FN is not a recognized political party by the European Parliament, where Schenardi sits as a non-inscrit, or non-attached member. During an MDNA Tour concert in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 31, Madonna briefly showed party leader Marine Le Pen in a video backdrop with a swastika on her ...

MOSCOW (AP) Some Russian activists have sued Madonna for millions of dollars, claiming they were offended by her support for gay rights during a recent concert in St. Petersburg. Anti-gay sentiment is strong in Russia , particularly in St. Petersburg, where a law passed in February makes it illegal to promote homosexuality to minors. The author of that law has pointed to the presence of children as young as 12 at Madonna's concert on Aug. 9. Russian news agencies quote Alexander Pochuyev , a lawyer representing the nine activists, as saying the suit was filed Friday against Madonna, the organizer of her concert, and the hall where it was held, asking for damages totaling 333 million rubles, or nearly $10.5 million. During her concert, the American singer called for solidarity with gays and lesbians.

FOLLOWING the absurd Pussy Riot guilty verdict at their trial in Russia (they were sentenced to two years in prison for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" when all they were really guilty of is Vladimir Putin hatred), emboldened hardliners have decided to sue Madonna for more than $10 million. The suit contends that residents of St. Petersburg suffered "moral damage" during Madonna's recent concert there. So says Reuters and Ria Novosti, Russia's state news agency. The story was also reported by London's Daily Mail and huffingtonpost.com. The issue, says lawyer Alexander Pochuyev , is that attendees of Madonna's concert and those who saw videos of the concert have suffered "psychological stress and emotional shock" due to the Material Middle-Aged Woman's "promotion of homosexuality." (Yes, in Madonna's corporate structure, homosexuality once pushed a coffee cart but now has a corner office. And we all know who...

Walter Bieri / AP Madonna performs Aug. 18 during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland. By Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters LOS ANGELES Madonna, who had already voiced her support for the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, on Saturday joined a chorus of celebrities in slamming a jail sentence handed down in Moscow to three women from the group over a protest against President Vladimir Putin. "I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40-second performance extolling their political opinions," Madonna said in a statement. The three women, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, were convicted in a Russian court of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for performing a "punk prayer" in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral in which they called on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin. The two-year sentence handed down against the three women on Friday has generated outrage outside of Ru...