'The category is Dance or Die!' So, you absolutely better dance
Lady Gaga delivers at 'Mayhem Ball' concert
By Savannah Juiel, Editor-in-Chief
Lady Gaga can truly do it all. Sing, dance, and play a surplus of instruments. Her March 9 concert in Austin demonstrated that — from belting rock songs in a pit of sand to performing fight choreography while singing and being lifted by her dancers high into the air. Gaga’s show was a masterclass in vocal stamina, energy and stage presence.
The show started as soon as I stepped into the arena. The energy was buzzing. Theatrical opera music was playing in the background. Audience members were dressed in iconic looks from all Gaga’s different eras. You could see people wearing everything from her spiked leather jacket and soda-can hair rollers in her “Telephone” music video to her studded sunglasses in her “Poker Face” music video. I even saw fans dressed up from her newest album “Mayhem,” and some even referenced her recent appearance at the Superbowl LX halftime show.
Promptly at 8:45 p.m., the theatrical opera music ceased. On-screen flashed the title “The Art of Personal Chaos,” and Gaga appeared on the jumbotron as a double of herself performing a monologue. One Gaga was blonde in a white dress, holding a bouquet. The other had a slick black bob and a red dress with thick white almost spiked-like accents.
Suddenly, two performers appeared on opposite sides of the Moody Center lip syncing to a prerecorded operatic interlude. The two dancers were dressed in Gaga’s signature red lace. Our wrist bands illuminated to a bold ruby red color, the screen flashed yet again “Act I: Of Velvet and Vice.” Then, finally, after all the anticipation, Lady Gaga finally made an entrance.
She appeared in a ginormous dress-like structure. She immediately began to sing her smash hit “Bloody Mary,” acapella. Then she started to cackle dramatically; her dress opened to reveal a cage structure, where her dancers started trying to claw their way out. She said the iconic line “The category is Dance or Die!” The Moody Center erupted into cheers.
“Texas, get your paws up!” Gaga said as she began to sing her song “Abracadabra.” Her performance was intense; she performed with so much energy, and her stamina was absolutely incredible.
The production quality was phenomenal; her set is almost cinematic with a terrace-like structure. These terraces house her band and her dancers during separate numbers.
I also must give an honorable mention to Gaga’s band and dancers. Her dancers were immensely talented with a mix of gothic dance styles and almost acrobatic movement. Her band was top-notch; I mainly was very impressed with her drummer Tosh Peterson. Going into the third act of the show, he played a very impressive drum solo, and I thought it was a great way to go into the next act.
Gaga delivered with powerful vocals and amazing choreography on "Garden of Eden," "Abracadabra" and "Poker Face," among other songs.
She closed with “Bad Romance,” and then the credits rolled. But Gaga was not done; she took the stage with an encore of “How Bad Do U Want Me,” with her dancers appearing in more casual attire. It was, of course, Lady Gaga’s own merchandise.
Overall, Gaga’s show was amazing; her concert is not only a concert, but also an experience. Gaga’s next shows are in Boston and Montreal. Even if you don’t catch her next shows, I truly recommend catching her the next time she goes on tour.
Photo credits:
Gaga on stage with spotlight: Photo by Savannah Juiel
Lady Gaga performs during "Abracadabra." Photo courtesy Creative Commons
