Lady Gaga kicks off tour in Perth

August 21, 2014 5:28 am 9 comments Views: 1
Art Pop ... a very colourful Lady Gaga performing on stage at Perth Arena on the opening

Art Pop … a very colourful Lady Gaga performing on stage at Perth Arena on the opening night of her Australian tour. Picture: Getty Images
Source: Supplied

LADY Gaga had more than a few choice words for critics of her latest work — And what better way to really drive the message home than to have rock legends Queen sitting in the audience?

Kicking off her national artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball tour at Perth Arena last night, the pop star’s set list featured a number of tracks from the latest album early on in the evening including Artpop, G.U.Y., Venus and Manicure.

Her Artpop album was released late last year, receiving an underwhelming response and racking up just 258,000 sales in its debut week but still managing to grab hold of the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Stage spectacular ... Lady Gaga’s trademark elaborate production values were a hit with t

Stage spectacular … Lady Gaga’s trademark elaborate production values were a hit with the crowd at her concert at Perth Arena. Picture: Getty Images
Source: Supplied

Despite selling out all five UK concerts within 60 minutes and selling out a number of other stops, including two Paris shows, across her 23-date European and multi-month American tour, the curtains were drawn across the top tier of seating at Perth Arena and sparsely populated patches were visible on the floor and in some sections of seating.

But Gaga, all too aware of critics dubbing Artpop a flop and drawing attention to dwindling support, was quick to point out the fact she did not care.

“For those who didn’t come for ARTPOP or didn’t like the album, grab a drink or a glow stick or get the f**k out,” Gaga screamed.

Rock royalty

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The singer went on to make several references throughout the extravagant show to channelling passion into art and freedom of expression in the face of those saying something wasn’t great.

She said there were those saying her shows were “too gay” or her new material “too artsy” and responded: “But I did it my way”.

Unfolding on a lavish stage, which sprawled out into the audience pit from the main igloo and ice land style platform, the spectacular two hour performance emanated all things rave with bright, flashing lights, pumping music, heart-shaped confetti and blinding amounts of glitter.

The real deal ... Lady Gaga defied requests from tour producers to cut costs and downscal

The real deal … Lady Gaga defied requests from tour producers to cut costs and downscale her concert for the Australian leg of her world tour. Picture: Getty Images
Source: Supplied

Say what you will about Artpop, but one could never accuse Lady Gaga of lacking attention to detail in her live productions or failing to put in a wholehearted and energetic performance.

At one point, giant Super Mario style flowers sprouted from the stage and blossomed right before our very eyes and Gaga was frequently flustered and out of breath while chatting to the audience between vigorous dance sequences.

“I think my Australian fans deserve the whole show,” she said of the tour promoters’ original suggestion to bring just 30% of the stage Down Under due to expenses.

Little monsters ... Chris Marr (27) from Highgate, Mitch Wylie (22) from Highgate, Patt L

Little monsters … Chris Marr (27) from Highgate, Mitch Wylie (22) from Highgate, Patt Lellezio (20) from Cottesloe, Brooke Haseldine (20) from Hillaries, Star Masters (23) from Armadale, and Cody Taylor (20) from Newcastle NSW at Lady Gaga’s Perth Arena show.
Source: News Corp Australia

Her signature, over-the-top wardrobe included everything from a glittery onesie and seashell bikini top and sequined G-string bottoms to a black latex two-piece and a polka dotted, tentacled monster costume.

She went from a Marilyn Monroe-style blonde do one minute to a short green bob or waist-length rainbow dreadlocks the next, thanks to a huge array of wigs.

There was even a costume change on stage, during which Gaga stripped off her wig and her top while a team of dancers dressed her in her next outfit.

The audience was on their feet for a healthy dose of the material that shot Lady Gaga to superstardom including Just Dance, Telephone, Born This Way, Judas, Bad Romance and Alejandro.

LADY GAGA’S ‘LITTLE MONSTERS’ AT PERTH ARENA

Gaga’s ‘Little Monsters’ also lapped up Artpop’s Do What U Want, Sexxx Dreams and Applause.

Although Lady Gaga seemed to make more use of backing tracks than her 2012 performance at the now-demolished Burswood Dome, the moments when she sat down at the keys and sang were truly powerful.

There were many impassioned speeches about the importance of talking about mental illness, addiction, the freedom to be yourself, the pursuit of art, sexuality and HIV/AIDS.

Gift from Perth

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One such emotional moment, during which Gaga teared up, was followed by the singer pointing out Queen sitting near the sound desk.

“I would like to point out that the rock ‘n’ roll band Queen have come to my show,” she said.

“I can feel it, f***ing Freddie (Mercury) is here too.”

The entire crowd at Perth Arena immediately erupted in a standing ovation as a salute to the rock royalty, who were waving hello from their seats.

While Gaga stressed, “The whole point of ARTPOP is that I change all the time — I change everyday”, one thing that certainly hasn’t changed throughout her most recent evolution is her love of her fans.

No haters here ... Lady Gaga meets fans ahead of her performance at Perth Arena.

No haters here … Lady Gaga meets fans ahead of her performance at Perth Arena.
Source: News Corp Australia

After stopping to accept gifts and letters at one point in the performance, she read out the heartfelt words of one fan, saying how much it meant to her.

“I asked Lady Gaga and she said it would be fine if you wanted to hang out with her after the show,” she said, speaking in third person to the emotional fan in the front row.

Promising to return again, Lady Gaga closed the evening with Artpop’s Gypsy and bid Perth farewell for now.

Lady Gaga next performs two shows in Melbourne before heading to Brisbane and Sydney.

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

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