This past Sunday, as the debut performer in Pittsburgh’s brand-new Consol Energy Center, Lady Gaga performed for wild fans in an epic four-act show that brought together Pittsburgh’s most eclectic people to celebrate the “Monster Ball.” Needless to say, the experience was mind-blowing.

By 10 a.m., there were already several people waiting outside of the arena, decked in outrageous Gaga costumes — sparkles, red lace, bikinis, masks, wigs, teddy bears, ripped clothing, and crazy sunglasses. A girl wearing the “Bad Romance” costume — a red lace dress with tan underclothes and a bright chef-like hat — was interviewed three times by the press. A boy clad in a pink Gaga bikini with tights and a blond wig was next to arrive, along with a high-school couple.

Everyone was dedicated to maintaining their places in line, ready to run into the stadium whenever the doors opened. Snacks were unpacked and the nine-hour waiting session began. It was only during the last few hours of waiting that the excitement grew — hundreds of people began to arrive, crowding the small line, and voices soared through the air in excitement as fights broke out and people rushed to buy Gaga T-shirts.

Finally, the moment that everyone had been waiting for arrived. The doors were opened and fans rushed into the stadium, scaling down the stairs to grab a seta. First on the stage was an exotic group called the Semi-Precious Weapons. Straight out of New York City, the band, like Gaga, gave audience members a spectacular visual performance while performing their high-energy rock tunes.

The crowd went wild when Lady Gaga appeared on stage. The combination of her unique costumes, stunning dance choreography, amazing set designs, crazy lighting features, and psychedelic video backdrops dazed everyone — most importantly, her voice thrilled the crowd as she played her piano and belted out her hit songs, always perfectly on key.

In addition to her amazing performance, the energy of Gaga’s fans was one of the most memorable aspects of the concert. This past year, Lady Gaga has soared to fame because she never failed to be unique, different, and extraordinary. She is also one of the few popular musicians today with the will to voice her opinions — the symbolism used in her concert clearly revealed her views on religion, gay rights, self-esteem, and acceptance. In her hit song “Alejandro,” a statue of Jesus appeared on stage, water pouring from the top of the statue and collecting in a pool on the stage. As the song progressed, the water turned red and the dance choreography became more expressive. The song ended with a kiss between two of the male dancers. During “Paparazzi,” the “fame monster” — a giant angler fish spanning the entire stage — gradually destroyed Lady Gaga. The effects were stunning and the crowd was in awe.