More about: Lady Gaga

On Friday night we and (63,000 people), made our way to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Lady Gaga’s well-anticipated, postponed The Chromatica Ball tour. Spread across V parts, Friday night was a theatrical experience of synchronized dancing, avant-guard costume changes and captivating vocals. 

As we entered the venue, the unconditional love Gaga fans had for one and other was radiant. Strangers passed by complimenting each other on their outfits and extravagant makeup. 

Fans warm up the stadium with an obligatory round of Mexican wave before an abrupt and daunting countdown takes over the gigantic monitors. Dancer’s waltz out and are shortly followed by Gaga, looking completely high fashion as always. Accompanied with a standing ovation, ‘Bad Romance,’ is the opener of the night, and is belted word-for-word by eager fans. Performing on a raised platform Gaga packed a punch with a prelude of a holy trinity of Gaga essentials, ‘Bad Romance,’ ‘Just Dance,’ and ‘Poker Face.’

Growing up these singles had teenage me in an absolute chokehold. I’m sure if you could have asked every fan that night where they were, or what phase they were in when they first heard each of these tracks, they could tell you in explicit detail. 

Disappearing into the back, a distorted interlude takes over, and Part I of the night is shortly a go. ‘Chromatica I,’ sets the scene as a scenic interlude before flying into ‘Alice,’ ‘Replay,’ and ‘Monster.’ Belting out some completely unhinged, unearthly and simply iconic screams, ‘Alice,’ is a stomping introductory - I’ve never heard Gaga scream like this before, her vocal range is truly undefeated. 

Walking down the stairs of her stoned throne, and carried by one of her dancers, (imagine being, that dancer), Gaga transports us into, ‘Replay.’ Summoning her monsters, fans sing along, “he ate my heart, he, a-a-ate, my heart,” with proud claw hands up in the air. 

A couple of costume changes later and we’ve entered Part II for the night, with a pinch of Chromatica continued through hit singles, ‘911,’ and ‘Sour Candy,’ nicely balanced out with old school gems, ‘Telephone,’ and ‘LoveGame.’ Before we touch upon the sheer showstopping performance of these singles, I’d like to firstly point out just how iconic her policewoman outfit was for ‘911,’ Lady Gaga is the only officer I will be listening to from now on. 

‘Sour Candy,’ saw mesmerising synchronized choreography, and was a completely captivating experience. Penultimate track of part II, ‘Telephone,’ stood out as one of the best performances of the evening. With fire catapulting into the sky, frantic stage lights, and a shed load of energy radiating off Gaga and her dancers. 

Birthing a hellish scream into her mic, Gaga belts, “London,” and just like that thrashes into the one, the only, ‘LoveGame,’ – a song that 13-year-old me had no business singing word-for-word. 

Introducing Part III, is of course, ambitious sounding ‘Chromatica III.’ Dedicating this next one to the late Alexander McQueen, Gaga waltzes into vogue-esq ‘Babylon.’ Much like most of the songs on this album, ‘Babylon,’ is a great track on record, it’s sensual yet slightly sophisticated delivery has you itching to catwalk and/or vogue in your room. Now picture it live, the penetrating stage lights, high fashion costumes, and thousands of screaming fans – it’s like the ultimate sleepover party. Gaga struts her way into the audience, accompanied by her dancers intertwining themselves with abstract dance moves, later (as if like magic) appearing on a miniature podium in the centre of the stadium.

A pride flag waves in the far distance of the audience, as Gaga takes us through the last two tracks, ‘Free Woman,’ and ‘Born this Way.’ ‘Born this Way,’ was a mesmerising performance, opening it with just a spotlight and piano, fans wave their flashlights and sway in aur. But of course, it wasn’t going to stay this way, a few versus later, Gaga catapults into the high-adrenalin pump of the original. Fans stand from their seats, embracing friends, partners, and strangers beside them as they belt out the lyrics to this one – a very warming, and emotional moment to say the least. 

Part IV and V saw Gaga pick-up Golden Globe winning, ‘Shallow,’ from A Star is Born, and as you can probably imagine, the uproar this track had was…beckoning. But sadly, an incredible night must come to an end, part V saw Gaga say goodnight with absolute belters, ‘Stupid Love,’ and ‘Rain on Me,’ followed by a very emotional rendition of, ‘Hold my Hand.’

Lady Gaga is a seamstress of never-ending talent, but most importantly a visionary, an activist, and an unconditional ally. 

Lady Gaga set list:

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Lady Gaga