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The Chromatica Ball

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The Chromatica Ball
Tour by Lady Gaga
Location
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • North America
Associated albumChromatica
Start dateJuly 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
End dateSeptember 17, 2022 (2022-09-17)
Legs4
No. of shows20
Lady Gaga concert chronology

The Chromatica Ball is the sixth headlining concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga in support of her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). After two delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it began on July 17, 2022, in Düsseldorf and is set to conclude on September 17, 2022, in Miami Gardens. It is the singer's first all-stadium concert tour and features a stage inspired by brutalist architecture.

The Chromatica Ball received critical acclaim, with various outlets rating it with the highest score in their respective reviews[a] and some calling it one of the best performances of Gaga's career.[b]

Background and development

The tour was originally announced via Gaga's social media on March 5, 2020, as a six-date-long, limited concert series for the summer of that year, in support of her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). The announcement was accompanied by a dual-sided graphic, one side an extreme closeup of Gaga's face, sporting the 'Chromatica symbol' on her cheek, mostly covered with a long, straightened, pink wig. The other side of the graphic featured the tour's limited itinerary surrounded by imagery from the music video and promotional campaign for "Stupid Love", the lead single from Chromatica. When announced, the tour was set to be the singer's first all-stadium tour, with every date scheduled for a multi-purpose stadium, such as MetLife Stadium.[8] Due to safety concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, it was first postponed to summer 2021, before its second postponement to summer 2022.[9][10]

New dates with additional venues in Europe and North America were scheduled and officially announced on March 7, 2022, making the once limited tour a 15-date engagement advertised as "The Chromatica Ball Summer Stadium Tour".[11] On April 14, 2022, two dates in Tokorozawa were announced, marking the singer's first show in Japan in eight years.[12] Three additional North American shows in Hershey, Houston, and Miami were added later on May 16, bringing the tour's total number of shows to 20.[13] During Gaga's last tour, the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018), the singer was forced to cancel the majority of the European leg of the concert series, due to severe pain caused by fibromyalgia.[14] Shortly before The Chromatica Ball began, Gaga admitted that there "was a time I thought I’d never be on stage again", while adding that she feels "more pain-free than I have in ages."[15]

Production

Gaga performing "Replay" in a nude latex bodysuit and spiked necklace

Conception and set

On the day of the first tour date, Gaga posted a video on her Instagram account, giving an explanation behind the show: "The stage was inspired by brutalist architecture, materials, textures, crudity, transparency. A real savage and hard look at yourself, what you've been through. I wanted to tell a story with abstraction and art, so the show celebrates things that I have always loved like art and fashion and dance and music and technology, poetry, and the way all of those things work together."[16] She also added that the show "documents the many different stages and sides of grief and the manic energy of grief that I feel that I've experienced in my life."[17]

The "imposing" stage set prompted media comparisons to a German nightclub.[18][19] For The Telegraph's Neil McCormick, the black and white brutalist architecture invoked a "nightmarish Soviet dystopia as imagined by Fritz Lang". McCormick felt that "this initially bleak aesthetic" provided a striking contrast to the colorful costume changes and special effects.[1] The main stage was accompanied by a smaller, seperate stage with the singer's piano on it, two catwalks, and five five-story high screens.[19]

Costume design

Throughout the show, Gaga wears outfits by Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, Christian Lacroix, Topo Studio NY, and Vex Latex.[20] During the piano ballad section of the concert, the singer dons a headpiece that prompted journalist descriptions such as "insect cosplay" and "a very glamorous bug".[21][2] Christian Allaire of Vogue noted Gaga omitted her pink cyberpunk look from the music video of "Stupid Love", and instead "reviving her signature 'Mother Monster' style, which favors a darker, edgier aesthetic". She called The Chromatica Ball "a glorious return to freaky-deaky dressing", and compared her outfits to those from The Monster Ball Tour (2009–2011) and the Born This Way Ball (2012–2013) concert tours, which were "ominously sci-fi (but high-fashion)."[20]

Synopsis

The show is divided into an epilogue, four acts and a finale, each one accompanied by an interlude directed by Gaga's longtime collaborator Nick Knight.[22] It follows a loose narrative of Gaga's journey from being trapped to becoming liberated.[7]

Commercial performance

As of June 16, 2022, Billboard reports the tour has surpassed $80 million dollars in ticket sales across its 20 shows. According to Arthur Fogel, the CEO of Live Nation's Global Touring Division, the shows in London, Paris, Boston, Tokyo, Toronto, Chicago, and Düsseldorf were sold out with over a month left until the tour's kickoff in July. Fogel spoke very highly of the commercial response to the tour's dates on sale, adding his only source of disappointment is "that we don't have more time to add more shows." He cited that Gaga's schedule, which includes her ongoing Las Vegas residency, Enigma + Jazz & Piano, simply didn't allow time for more tour dates to be scheduled.[23] During her concert at the Stade de France on July 24, Lady Gaga performed in front of 76,000 people, making this date the largest crowd of her career.[24]

Critical reception

Europe

Gaga performing "Fun Tonight" while playing on the piano, which is set inside a sculpture of thorns

Reviewing the show in Düsseldorf, Boris Pofalla from Welt compared it to a rock concert, because of the "hands in the air, flashing bracelets around the wrists, several guitarists with trapezoidal instruments on stage booms, twirling dancers and, very impressively, many flamethrowers." He finished stating that the first show was a "return of a performer who can rightly be called one of the greatest pop star alive and perhaps the last."[25] Similarly, David Cobbald of The Line of Best Fit thought that "Gaga proves herself as this generation's rockstar" with the show.[26] In a five-star review for The Telegraph, Neil McCormick commented that the concert "clearly meant as much to the artist as the audience, adding real emotional impact to an absolutely slam-bang pop spectacular. It is fantastic to have such an immense talent back where she belongs."[1] Lauren O'Neill from i also gave the tour a five star rating. She called Gaga "one of the best performers in the world to watch live", while praising the production, the dancing, and highlighting the acoustic section of the show, saying that "there are few vocalists who do better when it's just their voice and the keys".[2] Writing for Rolling Stone, Hannah Ewens gave the show a five-star review, praising Gaga as "one of the greatest living musical performers" and pointed out the piano section as the highlight of the night.[27] The Guardian's Michael Cragg described the show as "high camp" and rated it 4 out of 5 stars.[21] Giving it the maximum 5 stars, NME's Nick Levine called the show "utterly brilliant" and a "thrilling, high-concept return from pop's finest".[3] According to Adam Davidson of Clash, "the show was as predictably unpredictable as you’d expect from a Lady Gaga concert with everything from incredible choreographed dances to avant-garde theatrics and lots of special effects that made it a night to remember for all in attendance."[28] Arwa Haider of the Financial Times rated the show with the maximum 5 stars for its "tremendous attention to detail", saying that "Gaga's designer costumes and mid-song metamorphoses were spectacular, her vocal power — soaringly soulful and screamingly punkish in turn — and slick choreography triumphant".[4] The London Evening Standard's Gemma Samways found it an "extraordinary stage show that more than matched the ambition of the album", which was "as ludicrous as it was compelling, and all the more unforgettable for it." She described the show as "a perfect marriage of visuals and sonics" and highlighted Gaga for "showcasing her truly extraordinary vocals".[5]

North America

Gaga performing "Hold My Hand" as the show's encore, with her guitarists accompanying her

Writing for Consequence, Sarah Kurchak called the concert the "can't-miss pop event of the summer", which "mixed moments of triumph, vulnerability, celebration, defiance, heartache".[29] The show was described as a "trippy journey" and a "P. T. Barnum-on-acid spectacle", by USA Today's Melissa Ruggieri and the Boston Herald's Jed Gottlieb, respectively.[30][31] Billboard's Joe Lynch highlighted the piano section of the show, writing that "Gaga's vocals were fully audible and impressive from start to finish, but during this part of the show, we're treated to the depths of her substantial pipes and her deep attachment to the energy of the crowd.[32] Similarly, Selena Fragassi of the Chicago Sun-Times complimented the piano section, saying it was "the most evocative" part of the show where "Gaga finally sat still long enough for her impeccable vocals to shine". She further praised Gaga's "authentic human connection" and the "Herculean effort of costuming, choreography, lighting and set design that will go down as one of her career best."[6] Bob Gendron of the Chicago Tribune praised the show and called it "a performance for the ages", where "Gaga exuded bigger-than-life confidence yet repeatedly exhibited generous degrees of sincerity and humility." He also acknowledged the singer's "skilled dancers" and "versatile backing band."[7] Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos opined that "Gaga puts on one of the best productions in pop, but she’s just as good letting her immense voice shine." She also praised the setlist, writing that "moments when the old merged with the new were deeply satisfying".[18] The Dallas Observer's Carly May Gravley thought that "the show felt bigger than just one album and served as almost a manifesto for the singer, combining her love of music, fashion, film and theater to pull together her sprawling catalog and create a cohesive statement."[33] According to Dan Deluca of The Philadelphia Inquirer, "the show was fast-paced, satisfyingly punchy, expertly staged and action packed, but still lost momentum at times", due to the five-act structure which divided the show with video interludes.[34]

Set list

This set list is from the July 21, 2022, concert in Stockholm. It is not intended to represent all concerts for the tour.[35]

  1. "Bad Romance" (preceded by an intro containing elements of "Fugue No. 24")[34]
  2. "Just Dance"
  3. "Poker Face"
  4. "Alice" (preceded by an intro containing elements of "Chromatica I")
  5. "Replay"
  6. "Monster"
  7. "911" (preceded by an intro containing elements of "Chromatica II")
  8. "Sour Candy"
  9. "Telephone"
  10. "LoveGame" (contains elements of "John Wayne")[36]
  11. "Babylon" (preceded by an intro containing elements of "Chromatica III")
  12. "Free Woman"
  13. "Born This Way"
  14. "Shallow"
  15. "Always Remember Us This Way"
  16. "The Edge of Glory"
  17. "1000 Doves"
  18. "Fun Tonight"
  19. "Enigma"
  20. "Stupid Love"
  21. "Rain on Me"
Encore
  2. "Hold My Hand"

Notes

  • "1000 Doves" and "Fun Tonight" were added to the setlist for the Stockholm and subsequent shows on July 21, 2022.[35]
  • "The Edge of Glory" was not performed during the London show on July 29, 2022.[3]
  • During the show in Washington, D.C., Gaga dedicated "The Edge of Glory" to those affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.[37]
  • During the show in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Gaga dedicated "The Edge of Glory" to Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons, and dedicated "Always Remember Us This Way" to Tony Bennett.[18]
  • For the shows between August 23, 2022, and August 28, 2022, Gaga replaced "1000 Doves" with "Angel Down". In Arlington, Texas, and Cumberland, Georgia, she dedicated the song to victims of gun violence and "to the safety of all people", while in Hershey, Pennsylvania, she addressed abortion rights before the song.[38][19][34]

Shows

List of European concerts
Date City Country Venue Attendance Revenue
July 17, 2022 Düsseldorf Germany Merkur Spiel-Arena — —
July 21, 2022 Stockholm Sweden Friends Arena — —
July 24, 2022[c] Saint-Denis France Stade de France 78,866 / 78,866 $8,025,944[39]
July 26, 2022 Arnhem Netherlands GelreDome — —
July 29, 2022[d] London England Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 86,508 / 86,508 $9,621,095[39]
July 30, 2022
List of North American concerts
Date City Country Venue Attendance Revenue
August 6, 2022[e] Toronto Canada Rogers Centre 47,864 / 47,864 $5,120,000[40]
August 8, 2022 Washington, D.C. United States Nationals Park 35,920 / 35,920 $4,890,000[40]
August 11, 2022[f] East Rutherford MetLife Stadium — —
August 15, 2022[g] Chicago Wrigley Field — —
August 19, 2022[h] Boston Fenway Park 37,200 / 37,200[41] —
August 23, 2022 Arlington Globe Life Field — —
August 26, 2022 Cumberland Truist Park — —
August 28, 2022 Hershey Hersheypark Stadium — —
List of Asian concerts
Date City Country Venue Attendance Revenue
September 3, 2022 Tokorozawa Japan Belluna Dome — —
September 4, 2022
List of North American concerts
Date City Country Venue Attendance Revenue
September 8, 2022 San Francisco United States Oracle Park — —
September 10, 2022 Los Angeles Dodger Stadium — —
September 13, 2022 Houston Minute Maid Park — —
September 17, 2022 Miami Gardens Hard Rock Stadium — —
Total — —

Notes

  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[1][2][3][4][5]
  2. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[6][7]
  3. ^ The concert of July 24, 2022, in Saint-Denis was previously scheduled for July 24, 2020, and July 25, 2021.[8][9]
  4. ^ The concert of July 29, 2022, in London was previously scheduled for July 30, 2020, and July 30, 2021.[8][9]
  5. ^ The concert of August 6, 2022, in Toronto was previously scheduled for August 9, 2020, and August 16, 2021.[8][9]
  6. ^ The concert of August 11, 2022, in East Rutherford was previously scheduled for August 19, 2020, and August 19, 2021.[8][9]
  7. ^ The concert of August 15, 2022, in Chicago was previously scheduled for August 14, 2020, and August 27, 2021.[8][9]
  8. ^ The concert of August 19, 2022, in Boston was previously scheduled for August 5, 2020, and August 7, 2021.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c McCormick, Neil (July 21, 2022). "Lady Gaga review: Spectacular freak show from a superheroine of pop". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c O'Neill, Lauren (July 21, 2022). "Lady Gaga, The Chromatica Ball, Stockholm, review: one of pop's great performers continues her European return". i. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Levine, Nick (July 30, 2022). "Lady Gaga live in London: a thrilling, high-concept return from pop's finest". NME. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Haider, Arwa (August 1, 2022). "Five stars for Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball — a spectacle with wow factor to spare". Financial Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Samways, Gemma (August 1, 2022). "Lady Gaga at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: As perfect a performance as it gets". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Fragassi, Selena (August 16, 2022). "Lady Gaga pulls out all the fabulously bizarre pop stops at Wrigley Field". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Gendron, Bob (August 16, 2022). "Review: In Lady Gaga's sold-out show at Wrigley Field, every song was a larger-than-life experience". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Nolfi, Joey (March 5, 2020). "Lady Gaga Unveils 'Chromatica Ball' Tour Dates". Variety. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Blistein, Jon (June 26, 2020). "Lady Gaga Details New 2021 Dates for Chromatica Ball Tour". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  10. ^ Aswad, Jem (June 2, 2021). "Lady Gaga Postpones 'Chromatica Ball' Tour Until 2022". Variety. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 7, 2022). "Lady Gaga finally revives Chromatica Ball tour with new 2022 concert dates". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Sam (April 14, 2022). "Lady Gaga Expands 'The Chromatica Ball' Tour to Asia". That Grape Juice. United States: Townsquare Music. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  13. ^ Young, Alex (May 16, 2022). "Lady Gaga Adds New "Chromatica Ball" Tour Dates". Consequence. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  14. ^ Daniel Kreps (February 3, 2018). "Lady Gaga Cancels Remainder of Joanne World Tour Due to 'Severe Pain'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  15. ^ Young, Alex (July 17, 2022). "Lady Gaga Launches Chromatica Ball: Setlist + Video". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Caplan, Anna Lazarus (July 18, 2022). "Lady Gaga Kicks Off Her Chromatica Ball Summer Stadium Tour! See Her Dramatic Performance Looks". People. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  17. ^ Gariano, Francesca (July 17, 2022). "Lady Gaga gets emotional in video on first night of world tour: 'I was really battling from my life'". Today. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c Spanos, Brittany (August 12, 2022). "Lady Gaga Reminds That She's at Her Best When She's at Her Weirdest During New Jersey Stadium Show". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Ho, Rodney (August 27, 2022). "CONCERT REVIEW: Lady Gaga covers gamut of emotions at Truist Park". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Allaire, Christian (July 18, 2022). "Lady Gaga Revives "Mother Monster" Style for Her Chromatica Ball Tour". Vogue. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Cragg, Michael (July 21, 2022). "Lady Gaga: The Chromatica Ball review – a spectacular show of high camp and insect cosplay". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Greenwood, Douglas (July 23, 2022). "Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball undoes her bodily betrayal". i-D. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  23. ^ Brooks, Dave (June 16, 2022). "Lady Gaga's Fast-Selling Chromatica Ball World Tour Tops $80M Gross". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lady Gaga review: A Star is Born icon stuns adoring fans with fiery performance in Paris". July 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Pofalla, Boris (July 18, 2022). "Lady Gaga Konzert: Aus dem Weltall auf die Erdenbühne gefallen" [Lady Gaga Concert: Fallen from space onto the earth stage]. Die Welt (in German). Welt. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  26. ^ Cobbald, David (July 17, 2022). "At the Chromatica Ball, Lady Gaga proves herself as this generation's rockstar". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  27. ^ Ewans, Hannah (July 21, 2022). "Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball live in Stockholm: the party we waited for". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Davidson, Adam (July 30, 2022). "Live Report: Lady Gaga – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London". Clash. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  29. ^ Kurchak, Sarah (August 7, 2022). "Lady Gaga Finally Kicks Off 'Chromatica Ball' After Years of Delays: 'This Bitch Has Been to the Grave and Back!'". Consequence. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  30. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (August 9, 2022). "Lady Gaga defends gay marriage, abortion rights at U.S. tour opener: 'I pray that this country will speak up'". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  31. ^ Gottlieb, Jed (August 19, 2022). "Lady Gaga reigns over Fenway with Chromatica Ball". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  32. ^ Lynch, Joe (August 12, 2022). "Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball Tour Is the Ecstatic Release We Need Right Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Gravley, Carly May (August 24, 2022). "At 5 Foot 1, Lady Gaga Towered Over Globe Life Field". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  34. ^ a b c DeLuca, Dan (August 29, 2022). "Review: Lady Gaga brings her over-the-top Chromatica Ball tour to Hershey". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  35. ^ a b Smith, Carl (July 21, 2022). "Lady Gaga Chromatica Ball tour setlist 2022 in full: What will Gaga sing at stadium shows, what time is she on stage and who is her support act?". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  36. ^ Robinson, Ellie (July 17, 2022). "Lady Gaga debuts 'Free Woman,' 'Sour Candy' and more during first night of 'The Chromatica Ball'". NME. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  37. ^ Gelhoren, Giovana (August 11, 2022). "Lady Gaga Pauses D.C. Concert to Defend Abortion, Dedicates Song to 'Every Woman in America'". People. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  38. ^ Chron, Ariana Garcia (August 24, 2022). "Lady Gaga says she hopes 'purple' Texas turns blue at Arlington concert". The Beaumont Enterprise. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Allen, Bob (August 18, 2022). "HOT TICKETS: AUGUST 18, 2022". VenuesNow. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  40. ^ a b Allen, Bob (August 19, 2022). "Chart Scene: Lady Gaga's Stadium Tour Hits APX & LIVE75 Charts". Pollstar. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  41. ^ Wasylak, Victoria (August 25, 2022). "Lady Gaga breaks Fenway Park's attendance record for concerts". Vanyaland. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
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