Lady Gaga’s ‘Chromatica Ball’ Concert Film: A Review in 33 Thoughts
Released on Max on Saturday night, Lady Gaga’s ‘Chromatica Ball’ concert film is a two-hour extravaganza that comprises twisted pop greatness, filmed at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles during the star’s Chromatica Ball tour in 2022.
As someone who attended one of those shows, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, I was, of course, already very familiar with the Chromatic Ball—but I couldn’t resist experiencing the performance again. After all, Gaga’s epic set truly had it all, from her biggest hits—”Bad Romance,” “Stupid Love”—to her custom pieces from Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, and Vex Latex.
1. The show is starting!
According to the opening credits, 52,344 Little Monsters attended this performance at the Dodger Stadium. Gaga opens with “Bad Romance” in a custom Gareth Pugh creation and emerges from the cocoon for “Just Dance.”
2. Her vocals are vocal-ing.
These days, it’s honestly rare for pop stars to sound better than they do on the record. No lip-synching here!
**3. On to “Poker Face.”<<
Let’s take a moment for her backup dancers and choreography. The dancers are not missing a beat.
**4. Now we’re transitioning into "Act I."<<
This is where Gaga starts singing some of her hits from her "Chromatica" album. Gaga is singing "Alice" while perched on a concrete slab, wearing a custom red look by Tops Studio.
5. It’s time for "Replay"—my favorite song of the album!
She sheds her red cape to reveal a bloodied latex bodysuit from Vex and Yummy Gummy Latex.
6. Again, Gaga demands, "Put your fucking hands up!"
I am from my living room.
7. I’m shook whenever the cameras pan to the audience.
She is part of an elite few performers who can draw a crowd like this.
8. On to Act II.
The interlude videos, from her longtime collaborator Nick Knight, are stunning. Gaga is performing "911" in a black sharp-shouldered latex top from Sinrgy.
**9. "Pop a 911 and then pop another one."<<
Ugh, such a good line.
10. Imagine if she had brought out Blackpink to perform their song "Sour Candy" together?
I would have passed out. It’s interesting that Gaga didn’t bring out any special guests for this tour.
**11. She’s now performing "Telephone."<<
Gaga was recently asked if she would ever team up with Beyoncé for a part two to the smash hit.
12. I’m obsessed with her lead pianist, Brockett Parsons—specifically, the circular piano that he is playing.
In the world of Gaga, nothing can be normal.
13. On to Act III.
Gaga and her dancers are all coming out in gold for "Babylon." Her gold suit is by Alexander McQueen. Gaga has now put on a gold cape by Topo Studio, and a gold Philip Treacy headpiece in the shape of a lobster claw.
**14. She’s now singing "Born This Way" on the piano, and saying it’s time to "celebrate your pride."<<
I remember getting super emotional when I heard this live. Gaga has done so much for the LGBTQ+ community and she always creates a safe space at her shows.
15. We’re on to Act IV, and this is the more slowed-down, piano-focused portion of the evening.
Gaga’s voice is unreal. Her Dead Lotus Couture bodysuit and alien-like headpiece are just so good. She’s singing "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born."
16. Gaga’s taking a moment to talk about getting through the pandemic together.
"The whole world did not fade; we’re all still here." I can’t stress enough how much her album—and music in general—uplifted people back in 2020.
**17. Gaga’s dancing and skipping her way off the stage to "Enigma."<<
This song doesn’t get enough credit.
18. Time for the finale act!
She’s back in a custom Alexander McQueen biker look with crystals all over it to sing "Stupid Love." The choreo in this performance is so intense; I would be out of breath by the first chorus.
**19. I’m sad Ariana Grande didn’t come out for "Rain On Me."<<
That would have broken the internet. At least we got that one live VMAs performance from them.
**20. She ends the show with "Hold My Hand," her song from "Top Gun: Maverick."<<
It’s definitely an epic, belt-your-heart-out song to cap things off with.
21. The last shot in the film we see is Gaga doing a quick dance break with what appears to be a sample of a new song.
We see a flash of a caption: "LG7: Gaga Returns." Is this a track on her next album (which would be her seventh, hence LG7)? The lyrics sounded something like "dance in the shadow."
