Does the story make sense? Sure, kind of. It’s about as coherent as any pop concert narrative – ie not very – but Gaga’s visceral commitment makes it soar.
Her vocals are rich and gutsy, even through kinetic choreography that requires her to be in almost constant motion; and the music is given a gothic overhaul, painted black and scuffed up with industrial guitar chords and sawtooth bass lines.
Even Shallow, Gaga’s Oscar-winning A Star Is Born ballad, opens with an unsettling synth pulse , as it soundtracks the show’s climactic final act.
She performs it in a gondola, floating down the catwalk as she flees the chaos of the main stage for the sanctuary of her piano.
Sitting down at the keys, she’s finally at peace, playing the heartfelt ballads A Million Reasons and Die With A Smile, without the accompaniment of her band.
“My first big arena show was in the UK,” she tells the audience. “You believed in me then. Thank you for believing in me now.
“No matter what, we’ve found each other through the music and through community.”
To celebrate, she dives deep into her songbook and plays impromptu versions of Speechless, from her 2009 Fame Monster album, and The Edge Of Glory, from 2011’s Born This Way.
Fans, who know the standard setlist by heart, are enraptured, singing back every word at full volume. At the end, Gaga wipes away a tiny tear.