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A picture is worth a 1,000 words. That’s why I like photography, I can show a lot while saying very little. However, my trusty Canon sidekick was not permitted inside the Centre Bell in Montreal. Meaning it will be up to my words to try and paint as colourful a picture as my photographs usually do.
“Will you come back and see me in 20 years?” That was the question on Lady Gaga’s mind as she neared the end of an epic evening in Montreal. “I’ve been loved by you all here for 20 years. Whether you’ve been here for all 20 or if this is your first time, thank you.”
Was the emotion real? Or were those the words of a seasoned professional? It’s hard to know sometimes, but I do believe that Lady Gaga was speaking from the heart. Montreal has indeed been a special place for her. And she returned the love by holding not one, not two, but three concerts here.
A sold-out Centre Bell hosted Lady Gaga’s “The Mayhem Ball Tour.” Before the curtain had even been raised, it was already living up to its name. It was mayhem in the streets outside the building. Nice and early to pick up my ticket to the show, I was met with a mass of humanity larger than any concert I had ever attended before.
For any locals who may be reading, the line began at Centre Bell. It went up Drummond to Boulevard René-Lévesque. It continued for a block before turning right and going half the way down Stanley, almost back to the Centre Bell itself. A full city block. Spirits were fortunately high, and some of the costumes being worn by the fans were outstanding.
An hour later, I had finally arrived in my seat, but there was no time to relax. The lights dimmed, and a dual image of Lady Gaga appeared in the enormous video wall behind the stage. The stage looked like a giant gothic opera house. She entered the stage atop a huge French Revolution-era gown to the massive roar of the crowd. The bottom of the gown was torn away after an operatic version of “Bloody Mary.” It revealed a corset full of dancers.
So began the first of five acts for our show. “Act I: Of Velet And Vice” kicked off with a rowdy version of “Abracadabra.” Fireworks and wristband lights had the building aglow as Lady Gaga implored her Monsters to “Chante Montréal!” She speaks French very well, and the local crowd appreciated it. The first act came to an end with “Poker Face.”
“Act II: And She Fell Into A Gothic Dream” opened with Gaga half-buried in a giant sandbox. She sang “Perfect Celebrity” while having some cheeky fun with a skeleton. Shortly, the other dancers zombie walked out of the sand to join in on the fun. This act featured a toned-down version of “Paparazzi” and the touching “Alejandro.” Trailing a huge bridal train behind her that was lit up like a rainbow, the act came to a close as Lady Gaga walked the length of the stage. She once again disappeared after “The Beast.”
Titled “The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name,” the third act began with Lady Gaga positioned at one of the top levels of the opera house. She described dreaming as a child and never letting those dreams die. This led to “Killah” and “Zombieboy” as Lady Gaga and crew performed around a giant skull. “Just Dance” brought this Act to an end as neither Lady Gaga nor the crowd showed any signs of weakening.
Shortened versions of “Shadow Of A Man” and “Kill For Love” opened “Act IV – Every Chess Board Has Two Queens.” Gaga asked where Montreal’s queer community was before blasting into “Born This Way.” The entire crew of dancers joined her as they filled the stage. A figure clad in red then appeared atop the giant dress from the beginning of the show. They came together during an emotional “Million Reasons.” They rowed in a boat of skulls to the other end of the stage while Lady Gaga performed “Shallow.” “Die With A Smile” and “The Edge Of Glory” were performed solo from a piano. The tempo then picked up for “Vanish Into You.” During the song, Gaga shared some moments with the crowd. When she stopped to take a photo with a front row fan, that girl’s face almost lit up the building on her own.
Alas, all good things come to an end. However, at “The Mayhem Ball,” things go out with a bang. The finale, titled “Eternal Aria of The Monster Heart,” saw Gaga wheeled onto the stage on a gurney. The sound of a heart monitor flatlining filled the arena. The sound gave way to “Bad Romance” as Gaga and crew dominated the stage one final time. Fireworks went off over the opera house stage before a trap door lowered our conquering songstress below. To a deafening roar and standing ovation.
After the final credits rolled, a camera crew caught up with everyone backstage. They celebrated and removed their make-up before singing their way back on stage. One final time for “How Bad Do You Want Me.” What. A. Show!
It was musical theatre, sprinkled with healthy doses of drama. Lady Gaga was a beast on stage. All eyes were on her, and she made sure it remained that way. Her facial expressions were amazing. The set pieces and costumes were a sight to behold. As the evening came to a close, I felt a little tinge of sadness. I didn’t want it to end. But, like the rest of the sold-out crowd, we left the excitement of “The Mayhem Ball” and returned to the far less colourful and bland world that awaited us outside. Hopeful to catch a glimpse of the extravaganza once again.
I have never experienced a concert like that before. Beginning to end, it was non-stop sensory overload. This is a nearly two-hour ride of musical madness. I was one of those first-timers tonight. I’ll probably be a little more rundown 20 years from now. But, I can’t think of anything else I would rather do come that day than to attend another of your shows.
“I love you so much,” said Lady Gaga as the night came closer to an end. “Thank you for including me in your beautiful community tonight.”
The entire venue felt the same. After nearly a full year, this tour is coming to an end. Hopefully, it won’t take 20 years for her to return.
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