Concert review: the appeal of Gaga
Although I generally like her music, and have always been curious about her as a person, I was a bit reluctant to go to Monday’s Lady Gaga show. As a rule of thumb, I don’t do arena concerts put on by pop stars. They are typically overpriced and it’s just not my thing. But, I’ve heard that Gaga puts on a hell of a show, and my friends peer pressured me by saying it would be a “good bonding experience” (a tactic that can get me to do just about anything). So, I coughed up the $125 bucks (eek), but on my sparkly top and eccentric belt and headed to the X.
I was blown away. By Gaga’s performance, but more than that, by her fans. They are loyal, passionate and damn near obsessive with their love for her. They put in an admirable amount of effort to dress like her and spent the entire 2+ hours of her performance hanging on her every word and erupting in cheers, loudly and often. It got me wondering, what exactly is her appeal? I mean sure she has catchy songs, an eccentric personality and an affinity for the gays, but so do many who have come before.
Then Gaga discussed why she created the Monster Ball: to provide her fans a place where they could relax, be themselves and let their freak flags fly. The concept isn’t new by any means, it seems every pop star, actress and model happened to be a nerd in high school who got picked on regularly. What’s different with Gaga is the believability factor. I mean, I can very easily picture her as an awkward high school student sitting in class next to Paris Hilton (they went to the same high school, afterall) and retreating inward to work on her creativity. Let’s face it, Lady Gaga is a freak, and she makes it cool for other freaks to be themselves.
I’m not discounting her amazing creativity or talent, but I do not think either of those alone would create the cult fan base she has built. She does put on a damn good show though, and spending two hours immersed in her twisted world only increased my fascination in finding out of who exactly Lady Gaga is.
My one complaint: although she gave a lot of love to both St. Paul and Minnesota, she failed to give even one shout out to Minneapolis. I’m sorry if it’s confusing, but if you do a show in this region, you have to give love to fans from both cities.
First off, I completely agree with you about the lack of a Minneapolis shout out. In fact, I felt a little phony cheering whenever she talked up St. Paul. Come on, Gaga.
I’m glad to hear you had a good time at the concert, too! I think you’re right in that Gaga’s genuine freak appeal in combination with the fact she’s got the musicality to back it up is a major reason for her success. Not many people can pull off a latex nun outfit one minute and then rock out on a piano while smeared in fake blood the next and make it look cool. We wouldn’t be talking about her if all she did was wear crazy outfits. Also, I think the fact that we all know she doesn’t just wear this stuff on stage makes her even more believable. You see her at baseball games, meeting the Queen, and walking the streets in these outrageous outfits and it’s intriguing. At least I think so.
One of my favorite Gaga outfits (I mean…really! haha): http://blog.peta.org/archives/fp_3298204_bulls_lady_gaga_excl_072109.jpg
I was wondering what you were going to think of the show. Good post. I have heard other reviews sprinkled around conversation: profane/sexual (which pop star’s show isn’t), inappropriate/sexual (masturbation scene?) and little overwhelming. Others are left raving, “Gaga, better than Madonna!” haha…I heard that today at work. I will probably never go to a Lady Gaga show, so I may never be able to voice my opinion either way. But when the news said that the acceptable age was 10-years-old, I was a bit surprised. I do remember going to another pop-star show I never thought I would make an appearance at, aka. Brittany Spears, and I remember YOUNG girls seating on their Dad’s shoulders while Brittany humped her male backup dancer in a bed. Find that to be the case at Lady Gaga?