Where do I even begin to describe the grand spectacle that is Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour performance? Should I begin with the grandiose outfits? The larger than life stage set up? Or the fact there was not a moment when everyone at the sold out St. Louis show wasn’t dancing or taking pictures of the performance? Armed with a Pentax digicam in hand (I only own my canon SLR and there were no photo passes), I have to say I was a bit nervous as to whether or not I would be able to capture what I was about to experience appropriately. It wasn’t until I realized how close to the stage I really was that it was practically like being in the photo pit of the beautiful Fabulous Fox Theatre (Mind you, there’s a reason why this venue lives up to the title of fabulous with its inticate, gothic architecture and there couldn’t have been a more appropriate place for the fabulous Lady Gaga to perform in the city of St. Louis).
The Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis that helds last night’s Monster Ball Tour
Inside the beautiful Fox Theater, the perfect place for a Monster Ball of a tour!
“Here’s to love! Here’s to equality!” Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Getting onto the performances, I have to say that I catch onto things later than most people. Whatever is hot at the time, I may be aware of it, but haven’t fully grasped and appreciated it. Such was the case with the Gaga. Having seen her perform live, I now completely and fully understand why her fans love her and can easily call myself one as well. Maybe it’s the fact I certainly do respect a performer who not only puts her heart, soul, and love into every aspect of her performance but also does it because “my fans are sexy,” as she says in her own words. It’s no secret that Lady Gaga loves her fans, and while lots of artists do love their fans, she is truly passionate about them being proud of who they are no matter what anyone says or what their sexual orientation may be. Her message of love to be proud of who you are is truly inspirational, and this made her performance that much more genuine. What made the night even more inspirational was the fact that the hateful Westboro Baptist Church members were scheduled to picket at the show (you may remember they recently went after All Time Low), and their absence spoke for itself: they would’ve been up against too much adversity for them to handle with so many dedicated Gaga fans. Needless to say, love and equality won over the terrible messages of hate that the ridiculous members of Westboro Baptist Church have been known to spread.
Encore! Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
When you see her perform, you can tell she truly loves her fans and gives them 110%. While you can have all the lights and bells and whistles to make a show look amazing, it’s what the performer puts into it that makes the difference. Gaga does both: she has all the bells, whistles, lights, and dancers that know every move memorized that give it such a spectacular theatrical edge and performs each song with soul and passion, paying attention to every last detail of the show. I’ve never seen anything quite like it and probably never will again.
Some of the many incredible wardrobes Miss Gaga adorned:
Fierce! Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Not a moment of boredom: Fans were treated to dancers and screens of ‘mini-movies’ to Gaga’s music in between wardrobe changes.
Larger than life movie during wardrobe changes: Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Before Gaga performed, New Yorker glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons came out and got fans pumped to see Gaga while leggy frontman Justin Tranter ripped threw the crowd feeding fans champagne and asked “Are you wet and excited for Lady Gaga?”. When fans replied, he said “Shut up!” to which only he could get away with in his flamboyant nature and trashy/sexy image. They were a perfect opener for Gaga.
Champagne with fans: Semi Precious Weapons live @ The Fox Theatre
Final highlights of the evening that made the energy that much more positive was was the dancing that occurred while waiting for the house lights to go down and Gaga to perform. Security were noting to us that there was a good 30 minutes before she came out in case we needed to get merch or visit the ladies/men’s room. Not but a few moments after that the house speakers started to play Michael Jackson’s number one hits: everything from Billie Jean to Dirty Diana to The Way You Make Me Feel. All of these MJ songs are personal favorites of mine, and it was quite inspiring to see that everyone (with the exception of I think a total of 3 people) in the concert venue was dancing in the aisles to the late and legendary King Of Pop while waiting for Gaga. The pivotal moment of this part of the evening was when everyone clapped along in time to the end of Wanna Be Startin’ Something when the lyrics “Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa” are sang repeatedly and the crowd cheered in honor of MJ. You kind of had to be there to experience that incredibly high energy, but that Gaga knows what she’s doing to prepare her fans for her own legendary performances.
Fans get pumped and dance to Michael Jackson between the opening acts and Lady Gaga.
The Lady’s lil’ monsters ready for the ball: Lady Gaga live @ The Fabulous Fox Theatre
“My little monsters” as Gaga refer to her fans go all out for the Monster Ball tour with creativity and self expression in their wonderful, artistic outfits.
Special thanks to Karen for making it possible for me to kick off my new year of concert photography in such a wonderful way with arranging everything to see Lady Gaga so close. I hope you enjoy the photos and if you get the chance to experience her show live, definitely do so as it will be an unforgettable and fun night, whether you are fan or photographer, or both!
