I’m a huge Madonna fan. 52 shows and counting. So when Lady GaGa is in town, I have to go, just to compare notes.

I loved her first album, and then some songs of the following ones, but I got less involved… I guess it’s a problem of over-exposure. Honestly, what can you still expect from someone who has done more costume changes than a Shakespeare troupe in its entire existence?

And of course there’s the eternal fight over the pop queen crown, with Madonna fans looking on GaGa, thinking: let’s see how long she lasts, and GaGa’s Little Monsters frowning upon the aging Mother of Pop.

I believe you can like both ladies. And GaGa sure has made a lasting impression on pop music, especially for the young generation. Just say Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Rama-ramama-ah, GaGa-ooh-la-la! anywhere, and see what happens!

But back to the show: it was entertaining. I feared I might get bored, but time passed quickly. Maybe also because she did a mere 1h40 in total. But is was a visually entertaining, fast paced show.

GaGa definitely can sing – if she wants to. The best numbers were probably those on the piano. Other wise, like Madonna, she sings over her pre-recorded voice – sometimes beautifully altering melodies or lyrics.

However, often just screaming: Put your hands up! right in the middle of a line, while her recorded voice just keeps singing…

She sang most of her hits. but often in a shortened version. How can you leave out a whole verse of one of your latest hits and jump to the bridge right away… she could have found the additional 20 minutes I expected, right in there…

 

The costume changes: impressive: her hair under a new whig every other song, but then: what more could she possibly do to mesmerize us on stage, when you have the feeling you have seen it all? And when, for the needs of the show, costumes need to be a quick change…

As for the show, some great choreographies, but also some random running around waving things or parading ever more weird costumes. It somehow lacked a relation to the song sometimes, me, not being a huge fan, could just not make out what this was trying to tell us – an arch, a story, a message… besides the ‘be fabulous however you are’…

Trying not too much to compare it to Madonna – but then who else would there be to compare to ? – M’s tours always try to tell a story line, take you on a journey, on a ride… I didn’t know where GaGa was going with all this.

As for set design, not much happening there except for an interesting stage that protruded far into the public, with transparent bridges that GaGa used extensively to strut over and dance along.

It brings her far into the arena, and is a great idea. Otherwise: one screen and some white stuff on the stage – like frosting, whipped or shaving cream poured over at random.

As for attendance, I was a bit surprised I got a ticket that late. The seats were mostly taken, but the floor was rather empty at 8.30, half an hour before the show was supposed to start.

It had filled up some more by the time she got on stage, but there was lots of room and possibilities to walk around and get real up close. Impossibe for a Madonna show. If you want to be a front row bitch, come and line up at least 12 hours before the show even starts. Better earlier.

All in all, not bad, the show, the singing and the dancing. Still, albeit the fun, it left a bit of a wanting impression, like fast food, easy to consume, but quickly forgotten. Like most of the stage design, somewhat plastic…