Getting close to the Bradley Center on Thursday night, the excitement came spilling out of the doors, crashing in waves against every passerby. Or maybe that was just all the glitter.
Milwaukee transformed into a Lady Gaga-themed Halloween, with concertgoers dressed to the nines in every notable outfit Gaga has donned. Despite the occasional female taking the event as an excuse to dress skimpily (like I said… Halloween), the number of impeccable Gaga look-alikes was astounding – her cult following more apparent than ever.
As much effort as her “Little Monsters” – as she affectionately refers to her fans – put into their outfits Gaga put into every last detail of the production. The Monster Ball Tour is akin to the most whimsically frightening dream – and goodness knows, everyone loves the bizarre.
The concert was a one-of-a-kind experience – conceptually immaculate from start to finish. For over two hours, the audience was lead through the journey of Gaga and her crew trying to make their way to the Monster Ball.
To put the magnitude of the Monster Ball Tour in perspective, there are five trucks devoted to costumes alone – 30 trucks total move the entire production (sets, sound, lighting) – 12 buses for cast and crew as well as 21 songs performed, 15 costume changes for Gaga herself and 200 pairs of fishnet stockings for Gaga and her dances, according to the New York Post.
After a rousing chant of “LA-DY GA-GA!” led by the opening band, the glam rock Semi Precious Weapons, an enormous circular white screen drops down over the stage, which displayed an image of Gaga herself that continued to stretch and grow while background music swelled louder and louder.
The screen became transparent, taunting the audience with her petite yet womanly silhouette, and then began to rise. She remained, her back to the crowd, changing position but a handful of times, for what seemed like hours – but in reality is more like a minute or two – as she worked into “Dance in the Dark” from The Fame Monster. The suspense was nearly too much to handle.
Eccentric neon signs and large green automobile, housing a keyboard under its hood, were a few of the most striking props. Causing the first hitch in their plans to get to the Ball was the car, as it broke down en route.
If everyone looked as good as Gaga did when their car failed them on the road, dressed in a lilac purple, sparkling jacket with amped up, embellished shoulders and a skintight leopard printed body suit waiting underneath, society would be full of regular Casanovas, begging to lend a hand.
Before the next outfit change, Gaga launched into a song called “Vanity,” which she wrote years prior while living in New York City with “Posh” – one of the backup dancers and also, clearly, a close friend – screaming, “C’mon super-fans, sing with me!”
When the time came for the first major outfit change, Gaga appeared back onstage, performing in a subway car amongst her dancers and dressed in an entirely see-through ensemble that incorporated her signature taped-over nipples and an over-the-top nun habit. “LoveGame,” – a song famous for its lyrics, “Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick/ I wanna take a ride on your disco stick,” from the album The Fame, came pouring out of the speakers.
Other memorable scenes included dancers dressed like wolves that simulated ravaging her and ripping out her heart during “Show Me Your Teeth” (The Fame Monster). Gaga emerges from the pack, chest covered in blood. And then there was the costume made entirely out of long strands of hair, rendering her a furry lampshade during “Monster” (The Fame Monster), and the cone bra and panty set that shot out sparks.
But don’t forget the… ahem… provocative moves accompanying “Boys Boys Boys” (The Fame), which she dedicated to “all her gays,” or the enormous, daunting anglerfish, operated by her dancers, that dominated the stage during “Paparazzi” (The Fame). The list simply goes on and on.
As many smash hits as Gaga has, however – and somehow all of them were performed – she still took the time to connect with the audience and all the Little Monsters that turned out to see her. Sincerity emanates from Gaga’s every word – it absolutely feels like she is talking directly to you every time she pauses to speak.
Her message rang strong and clear—everyone is beautiful, special and gifted in his or her own unique way, and no one should ever make you feel otherwise.
“You are all fucking superstars,” Gaga said. “And you were born that way!” Hell, she even lovingly called the audience “Milwaukee assholes,” and it felt like the best compliment ever given.
The infamous “Bad Romance” (The Fame Monster) served as the encore, with Gaga coming up through the floor inside of a gyroscope, as seen on the promotional material for the Monster Ball Tour.
The trip through the magical Gaga wonderland had come to an end, and as the crowd left the Bradley Center, most everyone seemed simultaneously exhausted, overwhelmed and delighted by what they were just privy to.
This is one concert where it’d be fair to say that if you weren’t there, you most definitely missed out. Whether you love or hate her, Gaga has carved out a niche for herself that no other artist can even begin to touch.
Bearing witness to the Monster Ball Tour, it is slowly becoming more and more appropriate to compare Gaga’s star power to the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson—music industry sensations known for being true entertainers and game-changing artists, but also for being humanitarians and philanthropists. Lady Gaga is a name to be remembered.