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Madonna Tells Concert Fans to Put Down Phones and Be Present

The pop star's comments came during a recent live performance where she criticized technology for disrupting the concert experience.

Madonna singing "La Vie en rose" during her concert in Antwerp as part of the Rebel Heart Tour.
Madonna singing "La Vie en rose" during her conce…      Madonna Concert Stage    Christian Weger / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published June 6, 2026 at 1:33 PM PDT

Madonna has publicly called out concertgoers for using their phones during her shows, telling fans directly to put their devices away and engage with the performance in front of them.

The remarks were reported by both IMDb and Variety. According to Variety, Madonna told the crowd, "Put your f–king phones down and connect."

The statement reflects a frustration that has grown among performers over the past several years as smartphones have become a fixture at live events. Audiences increasingly record shows rather than watch them, a behavior that artists and critics say diminishes the shared experience of live music.

Madonna is one of the highest-profile artists to address the issue directly from the stage. Her comments were pointed and unambiguous, directed at the crowd in real time during the concert rather than in an interview or social media post.

The debate over phone use at concerts has prompted some venues and artists to adopt phone-free policies using lockable pouches, though enforcement varies widely. Madonna did not announce a formal policy change, but her remarks added her voice to a discussion that shows little sign of quieting as smartphone use at live events continues.

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Ever since the eighties, Les Arts Florissants hav…      Madonna Concert Stage    deSingel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)