Lady GaGa, The Darkness at 'Born This Way Ball' - Review

It is only as 55,000 people descend on Twickenham stadium for the first of Lady GaGa's three sold-out shows that you realize just how much of an effect she's had on pop music in the last four years.

But unlike an arena gig from say, Katy Perry or Kasabian, the crowd is as diverse as the album we're all here to celebrate; the genre-bending, hectic and, at times, scarily freakish Born This Way.



First up were supporters The Darkness who were chosen by GaGa herself, no doubt for their '80s-inspired glam-rock sound which features (in parts, at least) on her own LP. The task of entertaining a supersize crowd interested in one thing only is by no means easy, but it was one Justin Hawkins and Co. seemed effortlessly well-equipped for.

Their short-but-sweet 30-minute set encapsulated their best so far; spanning from old, in-yer-face favorites 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' and 'Love on the Rocks with No Ice' from their multi-platinum debut Permission To Land, to the brilliant 'Nothin's Gonna Stop Us' from their impressive comeback LP Hot Cakes.

Of course it was no match for GaGa, who revealed an expensive fortress setting before entering the stage singing 'Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)' whilst riding a mechanical horse dressed like something out of Alien. A confusing concept about the show taking place in a Government Owned Alien Territory (G.O.A.T) followed, though it didn't always mesh well with every songs' subject material - not that anyone cared.

Still, the eye-popping moments arrived thick and fast. In between countless costume changes, she gave birth to herself between a pair of giant inflatable legs before 'Born This Way', moulded herself into a cyborg motorbike and was ridden by a scantily clad female dancer on 'Heavy Metal Lover', and even simulated oral sex much to the crowd's delight on 'Government Hooker'.



Offsetting the slick and tight choreography was an old-fashioned sing-song and show 'n' tell segment in which she wore a fanmade t-shirt emblazoned with her new album title ARTPOP. The non die-hard fans winced as she performed a new song about Princess Diana, Whitney Houston et al called 'Princess Die', proving both awkwardly embarrassing and perfectly fitting for an artist whose appeal lies in her genuine gawkiness.

Regardless, it was GaGa who ultimately had the last laugh. Recalling a record label exec who dubbed Born This Way's lyrical content as "too niche", she replied to her captivated audience: "This is a f**king big niche."

'Born This Way Ball' Setlist
Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)
Government Hooker
Born This Way
Black Jesus + Amen Fashion
Bloody Mary
Bad Romance
Judas
Fashion Of His Love
Just Dance
LoveGame
Telephone
Heavy Metal Lover
Bad Kids
Hair
Princess Die
Imagine
You and I
Electric Chapel
Paparazzi
Scheisse

Encore
The Edge Of Glory
Marry The Night

Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way Ball' pictures:

Copyright: WENN

Did you go to the 'Born This Way Ball'? Leave your comments in the box below: