Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like without any oddballs. Where would the music industry be if everyone played it safe, walked between the lines and did exactly what they were ‘supposed’ to do? Sure, Heat magazine would probably go out of business. But we would also be left without the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Ozzy Osbourne. It’s lucky, then, that Lady Gaga is the latest unconventional artist not to give a shit about what people have to say about her. Call her a freak, a hermaphrodite, a fame-whore. Call her anything you like. But when all is said and done, can you really deny that underneath all the hype and rumours lies one of the 21st century’s most prolific entertainers?
A pulsating throb of excitement spreads through Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena as the intro to ‘Dancing in the Dark’ blares from the speakers whilst Gaga’s dancing silhouette appears behind a white screen to briefly tease the audience.
As the screen drops, an elaborate stage set-up is revealed as Gaga launches into an energetic and strategically varied set-list packed with all her signature dance-provoking hits from 2009’s The Fame Monster along with a few more obscure fan-favourite tracks.
It is clear from the off that Lady Gaga is in her element when performing live. The concert successfully manages to blur the lines between musical theatre and pop concerts, with Gaga putting as much emphasis on costumes, set changes and a scripted story as on her hit songs. Highlights include ‘Poker Face’, ‘Alejandro’ (during which Gaga bathes herself in a blood fountain) and ‘Bad Romance’, but it is during her solo piano performance of ‘Speechless’ that Gaga sets aside all the props, costumes and performance tricks to let her surprisingly strong vocals take centre stage. Perching on her stool, Gaga dedicates the song to a ‘special’ fan of hers who is a part of the sold-out and appropriately-costumed crowd here tonight. Belting out the ballad with incredibly unhindered emotion and never missing an opportunity to thank her ‘little monsters’ (or ‘fans’, to us mere mortals!) for standing by her, its obvious Gaga truly appreciates how successful she has become over the past two years.
If this were any other artist or any other pop concert, the performer would probably have been overshadowed by the piano in the car bonnet, the dancing nuns in the subway carriage or, at the very least, the 40ft tall monster sharing the stage. But, Lady Gaga is not just any artist and this was not just any concert. As flamboyant and bizarre as her live shows are, Lady Gaga has always claimed she has enough raw talent to stand her ground amongst the circus that is The Monster Ball. And tonight, she has proved just that to the 12,000 adoring fans who danced for two hours straight whilst watching her shine.