Lady Gaga has kept her schedule packed consistently all year. Along with this, Gaga embarked on her tour, The Mayhem Ball, which started on July 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Each act within the show connects to create a full-blown musical production. Some critics, due to the production, have wondered if a concert could be nominated for a Tony Award for best musical. The show portrayed “Mayhem” through acts which integrated art, music and theater.
The show opens with a haunting poem:
“This is the Manifesto of Mayhem/The Mistress stands before me, eyes wide, and full of wrath/Her cane held in her right hand, on her left foot, a cast….And her and I, will find a way to live as dueling twins/But I will know, if in the end, Mistress of Mayhem, wins.”
This poem lays out the foundation and storyline for the theatrical show.
Act I kicks off the show with Gaga in a black and red color scheme throughout her costume changes, as well as donning a black wig. Each show she wears a different colored sash which adds a surprise element to the show. At the Aug. 26 show, at Madison Square Garden, she wore a turquoise sash that represented the Statue of Liberty. By starting the show as “The Mistress of Mayhem,” she showcased a dark side within her.
One of the most impactful performances in this act is “Scheiße.” Gaga revisits the song during which she injured her hip on tour in 2013, which caused a long road of mental and physical pain for several years. Her performance of the song is powerful as it shows her recovery and how she is thriving again as a performer.
Gaga transforms into the “light” side of herself during Act II, sporting an all-white costume and wig change. This act is the beginning of the battle with “The Mistress of Mayhem.”
While performing “Perfect Celebrity” Gaga had a giant sandpit on stage that housed her and her dancers, buried underneath the sand was a skeleton prop which Gaga choked and threw around. At the end of “Disease,” Gaga battles with “The Mistress” as she unveils herself from beneath the sandpit. Which represents the battle between herself and her inner struggles.
Gaga begins recognizing “The Mistress” throughout Act III, while tapping into the mayhem within herself more. She still sports the blonde wig from Act II, but switches the light color palette for a darker color story.
The interlude after “Just Dance” featured several dancers dressed as Mayhem interacting with the crowd around the arena.
Gaga’s character evolves in Act IV with her accepting mayhem into her life. She starts to learn how to live with and navigate the duality inside her. She stuns in a dark gray wig with black and silver costume changes.
During “Shallow,” Gaga and “Mayhem” went on a boat ride on the catwalk of the stage. This version of “Shallow” was haunting, utilizing visuals and atmosphere to create a chilling effect.
Gaga and “Mayhem” into one during the finale. Changing her wig one last time into a black and white ombré style, as well as her outfit that merged these two entities into one.
After “Bad Romance,” the encore followed which broke from the storyline. However, Gaga wore no makeup or costumes, just singing “How Bad Do U Want Me,” which signified that after everything is said and done people still love Lady Gaga no matter what.
Little Monsters within Madison Square Garden shared their opinions on the concert and the responses were sweet and sentimental.
“My favorite part was the end when Lady Gaga came out with no makeup to “How Bad Do U Want Me” because it was the best thing I’ve ever seen in a concert,” a fan, who asked to be identified as Nicky, said. “She’s a legend, icon and a queen.”
“The Mayhem Ball” is an experience and opportunity that many little monsters have been waiting for. Lady Gaga is the definition of an artist; the creativity and art that goes into every single thing she does is why both she and her Mayhem are adored.
“I have been with her for 20 years and this is the first time I’ve seen her live,” another longtime fan, who asked to be identified as Kate, said. “It made me remember what it felt like to be accepted for the first time. She’s a goddess and I’m so glad I spent all this money on my ticket.”
