It’s rare for events at The O2 to be entirely seated, but as you enter the expansive venue, it becomes clear why this evening is different. Lady Gaga is known for going all out, and with her much-anticipated Mayhem Ball, she is certainly pushing boundaries to elevate the concert experience into grand theatre. While food and drink kiosks in the foyer play hits from her extensive discography, the atmosphere inside the arena is more tranquil, featuring a classical music soundtrack that accompanies a giant video showing Gaga as she writes an endless scroll with a large feathered quill. Fans gather near the runway stage for selfies, after messages from her Little Monsters are displayed during the show’s buildup, while others take their seats in ornate costumes inspired by various periods of her career; the air is filled with excitement.
Her extravagant entrance perfectly matches the exhilarating ambiance. In a world dominated by polished perfectionism and careful aesthetic management, how many pop stars would appear on stage hanging from the top of a cage draped in luxurious red fabric, reminiscent of an extravagant toilet roll holder? Not many. And tonight, in all its over-the-top splendor, serves as further evidence of Gaga's status as a true original.
Similar to her past tours, the Mayhem Ball loosely follows a storyline that gradually comes into focus; her narrative of two feuding Queens unfolds over two hours and includes 31 songs, divided into five gothic acts. Combining grand spectacle with playful brilliance, each segment is filled with energetic dance breaks, outrageous props (such as a giant sandpit where she writhes with a skeleton, or an enormous skull that magically reveals another group of dancers), and multiple costume changes, resulting in a polished, captivating performance that strikes a balance just shy of chaotic.
However, it’s not merely the flashy elements that contribute to Lady Gaga's remarkable stardom; it’s her deep appreciation for her fans, and their reciprocation of love for each of her musical eras. While her recent album ‘MAYHEM’ understandably takes center stage (and rightly so, as it’s packed with hits), she also embraces her broader discography here. Tracks from her groundbreaking debut ‘The Fame’, as well as its successors ‘The Fame Monster’ and ‘Born This Way’, sit alongside her newer songs, seamlessly interwoven with her more introspective later works ('Joanne's ‘Million Reasons’; ‘Shallow’), creating a show that honors every part of her musical journey.
Yet, her most emotionally resonant moment of the night comes during a stripped-back piano interlude, where her performances of the 2009 song ‘Speechless’ and the 2011 freedom-affirming anthem ‘Hair’ deliver a powerful emotional punch as the show reaches its climax. Fortunately, she quickly returns us to her world of delightful absurdity, emerging from a gurney post-surgery (with the help of some unsettling doctors) sporting oversized wiggly hands—the perfect accessory for her grand finale of ‘Bad Romance’. She couldn't be more quintessentially Gaga if she tried.
Definitely worth the wait.
Before the award-winning day festival in Middlesbrough, co-founder Andy Carr shares his essential tips and must-see performances.
Reviewer: Tom Morgan Released: October 10, 2025 Label: untitled (recs)
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Tonight, in all its spectacular grandeur, is yet another testament to the fact that Gaga will forever remain a true original.