CONCERT REVIEW : JOANNE TOUR
- ELECTRIC Team Member
- Sep 12, 2017
- 4 min read
LADY GAGA: JOANNE WORLD TOUR
9/10 • 9/11 - Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, pa
Today's blog post is a very special one, all about the ELECTRIC Team's experience at the LADY GAGA: JOANNE WORLD TOUR.
As the countdown screen starts to rise, a delayed instrumental intro to "Diamond Heart" begins, with the anticipation building that Gaga is just beyond that screen. Finally, the screen is completely risen, Gaga standing on an elevated riser, belting out "...young, wild American...". Off she goes into "A-Yo", rocking out with her pink guitar and then "Poker Face", which leads into "Perfect Illusion". You're initially shocked that the lead off Joanne era single has come so early in the show and somewhat disappointed that it is an edited down version. The show then comes to "John Wayne", with the crowd screaming with joy as Gaga's black leather fringe swings and sways all over. As a personal favorite, I was happy to see this track performed in its entirety. The second act of the show continues on to "Scheibe", pleasantly taking you back to the Born This Way era, which leads into a shortened version of "Alejandro".
As the third act begins, Gaga returns to the stage in a Fame-era inspired costume, disco stick in hand, belting out a medley of "Just Dance", "LoveGame", and "Telephone". What played out very seamlessly at Sunday night's show, fell short during Monday's show when the iconic disco stick prop visibly broke, leaving Gaga raising a star-less stick in the air. It was now time for the next act, a section of the show that would have Gaga travel from the main stage to the B stage at the back of the floor, while making "pit stops" at two circle-style lifts in between. As she walked on the floating runways as if strutting a fashion-week runway, Gaga performed a sped-up version of "Applause" until reaching the B stage where she slowed things down a bit to perform "Come To Mama" and "Edge of Glory". We must also note that during Sunday's show, Gaga brought a fan up on stage during this performance, a young boy who suffers from severe Autism, which truly showcased Gaga's heart and love for her young fans who have been inspired by her and during Monday's show, she dedicated "EOG" to her sister, Natali. The fourth act was concluded by "Born This Way", which led Gaga back across the floating walkways and back to the main stage.
As the fifth act begins, Gaga, in a full red leather costume, which we can assume (and hope) was meat dress inspired, re-enters the stage with a medley of shortened versions of "Bloody Mary", "Dancing In Circles", and "Paparazzi". We were, however, very disappointed to see this entire section cut from Monday night's show. The show continued on with "Angel Down" and then came to "Joanne". Through the performance of the album and tour titled track, Gaga tells an in depth story of who Joanne is and what inspired the concept and new era.
As the final act approaches, Gaga and her dancers appear from behind the screen, on risers, performing original choreography to "Bad Romance". Although we here at ELECTRIC may be somewhat biased when it comes to The Fame Monster era, we have to acknowledge that this song was our favorite performance of both nights. Gaga was visibly into it, as were the dancers, and what made it all the more special was Gaga's feathered mask that brought us back to her iconic 2009 MTV VMA performance. Next up, before the encore, came "The Cure", Gaga's newest and non-album single, with Britney-style choreography taking the live version to the next level.
Gaga then returned to the stage one final time, in a long, glittering white coat and "Joanne hat". As she made her way across the floating walkways one last time, she spoke about the ways that Pennsylvania has inspired her and been her "stomping grounds" over the years, which we can only imagine was a nod to her former fiancé, Taylor Kinney, who hails from the suburbs of Philadelphia. As Gaga finally comes to the B stage, she begins to perform "Million Reasons", a beautiful ballad combined with Gaga's beautiful voice to end the night.
SHOW 1 - SUNDAY 9/10
Diamond Heart
A-Yo
Poker Face
Perfect Illusion - shortened
John Wayne
Scheibe
Alejandro - shortened
Just Dance
Love Game - shortened
Telephone - shortened
Applause
Come To Mama
The Edge Of Glory
Born This Way
Bloody Mary - shortened
Dancing In Circles
Paparazzi - shortened
Angel Down
Joanne
Bad Romance
hair - fan read letter
The Cure
Million Reasons
SHOW 2 - MONDAY 9/11
Diamond Heart
A-Yo
Poker Face
Perfect Illusion - shortened
John Wayne
Scheibe
Alejandro - shortened
Just Dance
Love Game - shortened
Telephone - shortened
Applause
Come To Mama
The Edge Of Glory
Born This Way
Angel Down
Joanne
Bad Romance
The Cure
Million Reasons
AUTHOR NOTE: I have seen Gaga many times live before and I hold a very special place for The Monster Ball. I have always thought that no tour would ever top that. I had been underwhelmed with the Artpop Rave but came to the Joanne Tour optimistic. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the Joanne Tour failed to wow. While there was a well-rounded mix of "old Gaga", sentiment and "present Gaga", the lack of traditional Gaga content and cutting of setlist songs brought down our excitement. The show attempted to combine theatrics, talent and art in a new direction that felt forced. I will always appreciate the ways in which Gaga continues to stand out and do her own thing, but my only hope is that she will someday return to the darkness that captured our hearts many years ago.
