Madonna fans heading to her second Brisbane concert should download a new game app or take a book, because the Material Girl is expected to be late on stage again.
Promoter Live Nation has pre-warned ticket holders that the queen of pop is not guaranteed to make it on stage at 9pm.
They have even offered refunds for Thursday's gig following Wednesday's debacle when the Like A Prayer singer arrived on stage almost two-and-a-half hours after the scheduled start.
The delay is believed to have cost Madonna tens of thousands of dollars because of the wages blow-out for event staff, police, ushers, security, parking attendants and caterers, plus refunds to almost 100 patrons.
Live Nation, promoters of the Rebel Heart tour, warned Brisbane fans it could happen all over again on Thursday night.
The US pop star did not appear on stage at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre until 11.22pm on Wednesday and no reason has been given for Madonna's tardiness.
"Madonna's Rebel Heart performance will proceed this evening in Brisbane. Following a late start last night, fans should note, the timing for tonight's performance may also be delayed," the statement from Live Nation read.
Madonna tried to make light of her arrival, telling the near 10,000 crowd, "you were here too early. You should have taken your time doing your hair and makeup, then I wouldn't have been late."
The concert finished after the final train service (12.17am) and fans have been warned to take this into account when organising their homeward journey on Thursday night.
"We encourage concertgoers to keep this in consideration when making arrangements to get home safely," it said.
A music industry insider says the wages blow-out and all additional expenses are passed on to the promoter, but who foots the bill depends on the deal struck up between Live Nation and Madonna's management.
"Any delays like that are additional costs but they are not borne by the venue. They're all costs picked up by the promoter or the band management," the insider, who doesn't wish to be named, told AAP.
