Madonna says “put your fucking phones down and connect” after live return
Madonna has a stern message for modern audiences, who appear more interested in filming a show on their phone than engaging with the present moment.
The icon has been active in the limelight in the lead-up to her forthcoming album, Confessions on a Dancefloor II.
Following a surprise appearance in New York’s Times Square on June 4th, Madonna and fans appeared at Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side for the premiere of Confessions II – The Film.
The screening was followed by a Q&A moderated by Anderson Cooper, who stepped in to replace Jimmy Fallon at the last minute due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict.
During the chat, the pair touched upon the evolution of the kinds of audiences the long-time pop star has performed for; the ‘Vogue’ singer mused that modern audiences have a new “persistent need” to document everything.
Madonna took no time in separating herself from that mentality, sharing, as per Variety, “I came to this earth to be a doer, not a watcher.”
Madonna then reportedly discussed her surprise appearance at Coachella in April, during which the 67-year-old joined Sabrina Carpenter for their live debut of the then-unreleased duet, ‘Bring Your Love’.
Despite enjoying the experience, she suggested that the “deep tribal experience” of dancing together was somewhat ruined as she looked out on a sea of phones instead of faces.
When asked for parting words, the global superstar had a curt, clear response, stating, “Put your fucking phones down and connect.”
Upon the announcement of her new album, Madonna shared a statement that highlighted the importance of raving, sharing, “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility.”
Confessions II is set for release on July 3rd, 2026.
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