The Huffington Post

Madonna Wows Fans With Epic Surprise Show In New York's Times Square

Madonna on stage in New York on Thursday Following her “surprise” appearance during Sabrina Carpenter ’s Coachella set earlier this year, Madonna pulled out all the stops for the first headlining live set of her Confessions II era . On Thursday, the Queen of Pop threw together an impromptu performance in New York’s iconic Times Square. Madonna has long been an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating Pride month during her six-song set, which was put together in collaboration with the queer dating app Grindr, with whom she has been promoting her upcoming album for the last month. The Like A Prayer singer kicked things off with Confessions II opener I Feel So Free, before launching into her Sabrina collab Bring Your Love and the newly-released song Love Sensation. From there, she paid homage to her original Confessions On A Dance Floor album by performing cuts Get Together and, fittingly, I Love New York, before ending on a blast of the chart-topping Hung Up. Madonna was her usual outrageous self during her performance in Times Square on Thursday Over the course of her performance, Madonna paid homage to the queer freedom-fighters who paved the way for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Naturally, there were also some Madonna-esque chaotic antics, as she swung her leg over a safety barrier, straddled a speaker and messed with producer Stuart Price’s mixing desk mid-performance, after he joined her on stage, in addition to a flash-mob of dancers. The Grammy winner’s performance got the seal of approval from fans watching in person, as well as those live-streaming the whole set online… MADONNA IS IN TIMES SQUARE ? pic.twitter.com/fOts7YnptN — Nick | ❤️❤️ (@EnjoyMissJanet) June 4, 2026 NYC GATHERS FOR MADONNA: In honor of Pride Month, legendary pop star @Madonna is about to perform a public show in Times Square. The event is being put on by dating app @Grindr . #Madonna pic.twitter.com/ldFfRAGYOp — Kyle Stevens (@thekylestevens) June 4, 2026 her coming out in a veil and in the same pose as she did on the album... oh she’s taking it https://t.co/5MFjpcuHdQ — jen (@mdnasfilm) June 5, 2026 Madonna paying homage to the LGBTQ+ protestors that fought and paved the way for queer kids today- this is what real solidarity looks like.? pic.twitter.com/2MruYmC3SY — blue (@mdnaburns) June 4, 2026 One thing about Madonna, is that she will always honor her Queer friends and mentors who are no longer with us. She will always be the biggest gay icon this planet ever had. pic.twitter.com/EWC1NSIkhY — Fearcyz (@FearcyzD) June 4, 2026 MADONNA PERFORMING “I FEEL SO FREE” IN TIMES SQUARE. THAT’S HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/XMlNsonAkx — MIRIANA on the dance floor? (@mysinsmysavior) June 4, 2026 How can someone be this cool at 68 years old pic.twitter.com/eQcnpbHj47 — Mert (@littlekinq) June 4, 2026 obrigada madonna por fazer tanto por nós lésbicas também pic.twitter.com/8rezM8pOi4 — mafê ? (@madonnasjuicy) June 4, 2026 MADONNAAAAA ? https://t.co/g3CFCUb9tx — PAPELPOP (@papelpop) June 4, 2026 Madonna riding in on a dancer in Times Square today. The Naked Cowboy made zero dollars this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/HmYwfiBIuX — Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) June 5, 2026 “Get Together” tiene 20 años y Madonna la cantó hoy en Nueva York como si el tiempo no existiera. Yo la escuché y lloré como si tampoco existiera. Hay canciones que no envejecen porque hablan de algo que siempre será verdad. Esta es una de esas. ?✨? If it’s bitter at the… pic.twitter.com/EhWUCO2QjA — Gabriel Aparicio (@gh_aparicio) June 4, 2026 MADONNA PERFORMING GET TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS!!!! pic.twitter.com/3Mc0ySEJ8p — Emre. (@EmreAkn) June 4, 2026 Madonna dangles her leg over the stage barrier at Times Square pop up concert with Grindr. pic.twitter.com/myFpU5EsKj — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 5, 2026 First checking, is it strong enough, and yes there she goes. Got me scared ' Ooh vriendin'. #Madonna #confessionsII #timessquare pic.twitter.com/TlSLK0G59g — Crzy4Madnna (@cr_nna) June 4, 2026 O desespero que deu vendo isso. PQP. Eu dei um grito aqui em casa. Essa mulher é doida. #madonna pic.twitter.com/daDqgztL8y — Letícia ciccone ???♀️ (@CicconeLeticia) June 4, 2026 THE QUEEN OF MUSIC INDUSTRY. pic.twitter.com/aMcmM9bsCQ — MIRIANA on the dance floor? (@mysinsmysavior) June 4, 2026 MADONNA PERFORMING HUNG UP IN TIMES SQUARE I’M SHAKING pic.twitter.com/rsW0QqNFb3 — madonna (@mdnaspears_) June 4, 2026 The Confessions 2 era is back on track after some minor missteps. That Times Square performance was sooo good. Nobody can expect Madonna to perform like she did 20 years ago, but she did well and had so much charisma. I wish I were there!!! pic.twitter.com/aZuwofyyqg — Mister D’s Pop Hub (@PopHubUSA) June 4, 2026 What Madonna did today in New York was make history. she’s still creating music and paving the way for your future pop divas to keep doing the same without being criticized for their age. That’s why Madonna will always be the blueprint. Support Mother and stream her new songs ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NhyyUzIkVj — crazydita (@TheQueenOfPopm) June 5, 2026 madonna ? queer art worth protecting https://t.co/sXuoC91Zla — Grindr (@Grindr) June 4, 2026 Biggest moment of my career. My heart is so full, had a good cry. I love New York! Happy Pride! pic.twitter.com/WYqCe5MOlp — Social Bee (@NYSocialBee) June 5, 2026 A historic moment in Times Square. At 67 years old, Madonna proved once again why she’s still the Queen of Pop, drawing massive crowds to the heart of New York City for a Pride Month celebration presented with Grindr. Fans packed Times Square for a night of music, pride, and… pic.twitter.com/mPEEV8gL3c — New York Mickey (@MickmickNYC) June 4, 2026 The location of Madonna’s performance was also significant, as the story goes that Times Square was dropped off by a cab driver when she first arrived in New York in her early 20s to make it as a dancer, supposedly with just $35 in her pocket. Confessions II is due for release in just over a month , on Friday 3 July. In an official press release, Madonna said that a lyric from an upcoming song One Step Away summed up her ethos for the album, stating: “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. “The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold: A ritualistic space where movement replaces language.” READ MORE: Madonna And BTS Among Headliners At The World Cup's First Ever Halftime Show Madonna Makes Radio 1's Playlist For First Time In Almost 20 Years After Ageism Row Madonna Steals The Show On This Year's Met Gala Red Carpet With Dramatic Look