THE LAST TIME SHE DESCENDED ON OUR SHORES, she was a mere support act for a bigger name. But last night, it wasn't the Pussycat Dolls who whipped the sold-out crowd into a deafening frenzy – but rather their one-time opener, Lady Gaga.
Kicking off her Australian tour at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Ms Gaga put on what can only be described as the perfect lesson in spectacle and showmanship.
"The Monster Ball", it was called -- a "Guys and Dolls" meets "Wizard of Oz" meets "Narnia" musical -- complete with over a dozen costume changes of outrageous fashion; an array of camp, immaculately cut dancers; a mind-boggling stage set that wouldn't look out of place on Broadway; and a set list that fed the arena's throng to the max.
"Dance in the Dark", "Glitter and Grease", "Just Dance", "Telephone", "Poker Face" -- the adoring faithful couldn't get enough of their heroine, who spoke of unspecified 'suffering', joked about her infamous 'dick' stunts, and shed crocodile tears as she wailed "Speechless" and "Brown Eyes" at a burning piano. She was brash, she was coy, she was entrancing. And she was singing up a storm (no Britney lip-syncing here, folks).
The most startling thing about the show, though, was the sheer power she held over her audience. When she ordered them to sing, wave, dance, jump -- they did. When she stood still, looking out into the sea of ecstatic faces before her, they roared. And as she wrapped an Australian flag around her shoulders as she bowed, that roar only got (predictably) louder and louder. Her biggest influence, Madonna, could only dream of such stuff now.
Was it over the top? Yes. Was it headline-grabbing? No question. Was it astonishing? Absolutely. It's no wonder the 'Inglorious Basterd' himself, Mr Quentin Tarantino, reportedly wants to work with this lady. The Gaga machine appears to be – quite literally – unstoppable. A new Queen of Pop has indeed emerged.
Lady Gaga plays the Sydney Entertainment Centre again tonight (March 18) and on April 7.
Lady Gaga plays the Sydney Entertainment Centre again tonight (March 18) and on April 7.
The tour also hits Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Wollongong.
ED GIBBS
I was speaking to one of her security guys the other day... can't believe they have chartered two 747's AND brought their own stage here. Obama only brings one 747 (admittedly, it's his own...) but that's one hell of an entourage. And the Telephone clip is a CLASSIC.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. But what would Dave do?
ReplyDelete