GAGA MAGAZINE DOES NOT CLAIM COPYRIGHT FOR ANY IMAGES PRINTED WITHIN THIS PUBLICATION
dressed like I was in a city full of white-collar After what seemed like a lifetime, I was finally ' Like seeing a workers. But then I thought of what Gaga able to see, the marvellous and talented, one and friend in a would say, and held my head up high and only…Lady Gaga. I could not believe it! It had classroom full worked that outfit, and when we turned the been four years since I saw her in concert in of strangers. ' corner, and heard, “YAAASSSS,” all I could do Raleigh, NC for the Monster Ball. That was was smile and scream back! Everyone looked one of the best nights of my life, and I could not After finally arriving to our friend’s house so fierce. comprehend that I was going to experience outside of the city, we were so excited and another night like that again…and this time it anxious that we all could not fall asleep. Being The length of the general admission line really was in Washington, D.C.! dedicated fans with general admission tickets, shocked us. After being a big fish in a little As everyone knows, the concert date changed, we came to an agreement that we were going to pond at the Monster Ball, we thought for sure which made things a little difficult for me and wake up at 6 in the morning, get ready, go to the we were going to be behind hundreds of people; I was number 88 in line, after a fan went down my friends, but there was no way a little switch Verizon Center and patiently wait. of days was going to keep us from figuring That plan failed. We woke up around 9 in the the whole line and wrote what number we were everything out. morning, got ready as fast as possible while still on our hands. It was so impressive how the fans Two of my best friends were going with me to looking fierce. We arrived to the city around 11 took control to make sure everyone was treated the concert, and we still could not believe the a.m. and did not see anyone waiting outside the fairly. concert was only a few days away. We had center. My friends and I started having mini Once more people started getting in line, was everything together. Since we were supposed to panic attacks in the car. We did not know what when the fun started. The group behind us attend the Born This Way Ball, we already had to do, especially being unfamiliar with the city. started playing music, Gaga of course, and we previous outfits sadly stashed away that were Something told me to drive around the other started dancing. My friend and I learned the brought back to life “out of the closet”, with few side of the building, and BAM, there were the choreography to Telephone shortly after the music video came out, and when we finished minor adjustments to better fit this new era. monsters, waiting outside in their amazing, We packed my car the night before the concert, lavish outfits. That was the best sight I had seen the dance, everyone was watching, and they all clapped for us. It was so amazing to be and headed on the much-anticipated 5 and a half in a long time. Seeing everyone standing hour trip to the countries capital. The high outside was like seeing a friend in a classroom accepted by so many people. Our wait only got better from there. traffic, anxious drive was not that bad because full of strangers. of course we had a 5 and a half hour karaoke After getting valet parking at Hotel Monaco, session to Gaga. we walked to the Verizon Center with every set of eyes right on us. It made me feel a little uneasy at first to be
happened for the rest of the concert. The way the stage was We met so many people while waiting in line, and we learned about their stories. Some people had just come out set up could have contributed to my loss of memory for to their families; others had just graduated college and were each song. Most of the time I could see her, but there were starting their lives; and some were skipping school, and or some songs that I had to watch her on the screen because she was at the front of the catwalk closer towards the seats. finals to see Mother Monster. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining at all because she Once 6 p.m. came around, everyone started getting made the stage that way to be fair to everyone, she even restless. We were all ready to at least get inside the building. The last 30 minutes of waiting felt like hours. I says it in the concert. Each song flowed together so well. I was slightly started to get butterflies in my stomach when I looked inside the building and saw that they were testing the lights, disappointed that she didn’t sing more from Born This Way it was almost silly how entertained we were over a couple since my show got cancelled, but I couldn’t have asked for more from her because everything was amazing! of flashes. All of sudden the line started moving and we (me and my Of course her vocals were incredible and the dancing was friends) were preparing to sprint for that stage as soon as unbelievable. Everything was on point. The performances that stood out the most to me were, “Artpop,” “G.U.Y.,” we entered the building, and we did just that. We got our wristbands and sprinted to the stage while “Fashion,” “Venus,” “Born This Way,” “Aura,” “Sexxx getting yelled at by staff, but we didn’t care. The only thing Dreams,” “Mary Jane Holland,” “Applause,” “Swine,” and on our minds was to get as close to the stage as possible. last but not least, “Gypsy.” The night before we had researched the best place to stand “Artpop” stood out to me because she opened with the song, and there is something about that song played live for the layout of this new and interesting stage. As soon as I saw the shimmery scrim hiding the magical that is just so mesmerising. “G.U.Y.” was amazing to see set behind it, the reality that I was there to see Lady Gaga live because the choreography was exactly like the music hit me. The stage was amazing; I could literally touch the video, which was why “Applause” also stood out to me. catwalk that she was going to be walking on. Several fans Her vocals in “Fashion” were just as stunning live as in the around me that were seeing her for the first time could not recorded song. “Venus” was a song that brought the believe she was going to be that close, and I agreed with audience together, and the acoustic version of “Born This Way” brought tears to many monsters. The chorus in them. They dimmed the lights, everybody started screaming and “Aura” just stood out to me and gave me chills when she Hatsune Miku came on stage. It was so fascinating and sang it, and “Sexxx Dreams” brought everyone’s fantasies to a somewhat reality, especially after Gaga strips naked futuristic to see her perform. After Hatsune Miku performed, Lady Starlight walked out, and she performed at onstage. “Mary Jane Holland” was very interesting since a little keyboard on a corner of one of the catwalks. She Gaga danced with plastic chairs on her body, and the beat to “Swine” had everyone jumping. Of course my favorite was wearing a dress and seemed a little shy and song was played last, which was such a bittersweet uncomfortable to have all the fans at the level we were, since we could basically see right up her dress at that angle. moment. Gaga walked back onstage in a magnificent, Her music definitely got the fans jumping and pumped to white bejeweled, fashion forward dress. She played “Gypsy” on the piano at the end of the catwalk, and it was see Gaga. The wait between Lady Starlight and Gaga wasn’t so bad; so beautiful and perfect. I was just so anxious and ready for her to come out. A pre- Once she walked off the stage, I was so hyped, but so sad recorded video of Gaga would come on the monitors, and at the same time that it was over. I couldn’t believe what I all the fans would scream so loud, that we couldn’t even had just experienced. Everything felt like a dream, from her costumes, the weaves, the dancers, the music, the lights, hear what she was saying, it was so comical. Some guys starting climbing up ladders next to the stage the set and the whole night. I hope she adds more shows in to release the scrim, which to us meant it was time for Gaga the U.S. towards the end of the tour so I can go back. I had so much fun the whole day. It was so awesome to be able to come out, and we were right! Music started playing, everyone started screaming, the set to meet fellow monsters and follow them on social was beautiful and surreal, her dancers started coming out networks, and to see what other monsters do on a daily basis. Go to the ARTRAVE; it is worth every penny spent, onstage in elaborate costumes, and from this point on and the sweat, blood, and tears put into making outfits for everything felt like a dream to me. Gaga rose out of the stage and started singing “Artpop,” that one magical night. just like the leaked set list predicted. I was in such a trance like state throughout the whole concert, that now I can’t even describe exactly what
"The long process that is learning to be myself."
"ArtRave was nothing like past tours."
BGagaacktweeted during the creation of ARTPOP that two tracks were 'battling it out' for a spot on the album. It's looks like 'Mary Jane Holland' won in the end, but the question is Why?
It's undeniable that 'Brooklyn Nights' along with its hard hitting beat is a very personal song. Many have speculated that the track is about one of Gaga's former boyfriends from New York, but Gaga herself never confirmed it herself. The nostalgic tone of the song and the lyrics look back on a past relationship and how it ended. If you've ever had a bad break up this song is one for you to cry at, at 3am in the middle of a crowded dancefloor. If you cast back to September 2013 at 'SwineFest' in London at the 'Roundhouse Theatre' Gaga performed another very
personal song 'I Wanna Be With You'. The lyrics also being very personal. This is where the interesting part of the ARTPOP tracklisting comes into play. Remember that Gaga tweeted that the tracklisting battle was between 'Mary Jane Holland' a track with slaying beats and 'Brooklyn Nights' an electronic dance ballad, the content and origins of both tracks both come from very different places. Ultimately 'Mary Jane Holland' won and in essence changed the whole tone of ARTPOP, keeping it upbeat. 'I Wanna Be With You' transformed into 'Dope'. A song about love, happiness and youth was turned into one of sadness and regret. If Gaga was to have placed 'I Wanna Be With You' in the place of 'Dope' and 'Brooklyn Nights' into the place of 'Mary Jane Holland' the tracklisting would have told a completely different story.
'Brooklyn Nights' a nostalgic song about exboyfriends in New York City would have acted as a final goodbye. Then the album would move onto a happier track (IWBWY) about current relationships with fans and of course Taylor. Gaga would have been closing one section of her life "I want one last night there, A Brooklyn night affair." saying a final goodbye to a relationship and moving forward into a new one and a new stage of love. The song would have been an amazing live performance, as Gaga does best on the piano. Speculation occured before the very first artRave whether she would performed the track or not. Fake Instagram videos spurred the rumours showing what looked like two fans who had broke into the arena and an 'arena-esque' audio of the track. Gaga may perform the track in the future, the setlist for artRave is never fixed, so literally anything could happen.
The track was produced by DJ White Shadow and I believe that if included on ARTPOP Volume II could make a great single, as the general public are yet to hear a slower Gaga song on the radio. A music video would be very interesting for Brooklyn Nights, who knows what direction it could go in? However we are just going to have to wait to see what's in store for the track. It's a fan favourite so it would be disappointing to watch it disappear, but with such a good song I think it's unlikely that it will just fade into nothing. The lyrics are some of Gaga's greatest and most honest, and personally I love this side of her music. Article by @hairbow_revenge
CREATIVE REBELLION
Grunge, sweat, vomit. Yes, vomit. Gaga's SXSW performance and keynote not only shocked the world, but monsters. The pop goddess danced around on stage covered in dirt with her head full of dreadlocks. There was controversy, performance art and pure raw talent at the heart of the performance and the set showed how Gaga is not just an average pop star, but an icon. There were numerous highlights of the night, including the famous (or should I say infamous) performance of Swine. Gaga invited old friend and fellow performance artist Millie Brown to join her on stage. The couple rode a mechanical bull whilst Millie regurgitated coloured milk onto Gaga.
Gaga screamed "FUCK YOU POP MUSIC. THIS IS ARTPOP!" The audience were screaming, Gaga grinding and the world gasping. Another memorable moment of the night occurred during Gaga's performance of 'Dope'. She told fans "NO MATTER WHATEVER HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE I'LL ALWAYS FUCKING BE THERE TO CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL."
The whole night was not only a creative rebellion but a night of togetherness, for Gaga and monsters aswell as for Gaga and her old friends from New York. She brought a group onto the stage before she performed 'Applause' and sung an personal song called 'Monster for life'. Starlight, Semi Precious Weapons and The Dirty Pearls all danced with Gaga during her performance of 'Applause', and everyone looked so happy. Gaga performed other tracks including an acoustic start to Gypsy before belting out into a full speed version. MANiCURE and Bad Romance both slayed with Gaga looking dirty and fabulous.
The performance was not the only thing that stood out at SXSW, Gaga delivered a very insightful Keynote. If you have not seen the video, I suggest you watch it. Gaga calls out on all of the shit she's received from the media and discusses the death of creativity and artistry because of music corporations. “AS YOU GET MORE SUCCESSFUL, THEY PUSH THE RULE BOOK AT YOU MORE.”
She emphasised the importance of embracing youth and creativity, the talk really showed how ahead of the times Gaga actually is. The video will be one to look back on in years to come for sure. Gaga touched on her comparisons with other artists and how the media portrayed ARTPOP as a 'flop'. She stated the followed (*Queue Cheering or should I say Applause, bad joke I apologise*) “I’M SORRY I DIDN’T SELL A MILLION RECORDS FIRST WEEK… I’M HELD TO SUCH AN INSANE STANDARD… I DON’T KNOW WHAT FUCKALL I HAVE TO DO WITH KATY PERRY.”
Overall Gaga's performance and Keynote were spectacular and defined to both the media and audiences the direction that ARTPOP will take, and what the future of Gaga holds. Article by @hairbow_revenge
We arrive venuearriving at last. I at friend I wasearly attending show with, as he Roseland: The Experience 3 May. Bistritz.--Left Munich at 8:35 P.M., on 1 atstthe May, Vienna nextthemorning; a series vineslate. of theBuda-Pesth line as the was seems vegan, anda holding our place in line. byshould Brian Gliboff, (@briangliboff) have arrived at 6:46, butuploaded train was an ofhour wonderful on. The wasn’t place, from the glimpse which I day gotdragged of it from thelinetrain andthisthe little I could walk through the fantasy of everyone coming together in April 2014,would 6:30 PMstart as April 4, 2014,I feared 7:04 AM to Getting Ready streets. go very far from the station, as we had arrived late4,and Security moves my part of the I awake to a harsh the face song like some of the vines portrayed. near the correct timeslapasinpossible. wasare shade, theredistinct were cliques, there line upSaxons to the barricade. I was pushed byInmythe friend Phillip, saying “Get the hell There population of Transylvania there four nationalities: in the South, were who line-cutters, theredescendants was rain, there was around and barraged by “Stopinpushing!” up,and we’ve got a train catch!”the Thirteen mixed withtothem Wallachs, are the of the Dacians; Magyars the cold, there was hunger, thirst. There was by security. It was chaos, but was minutes later I’m showered and dressed. West, and Szekelys in the East and North. I am going among the latter, who claim to be back to also theThis need tomay find be a bathroom the the normal momentarily. Until theythe let us in. I’mdescended wearing a black andAttila red checkeredfrom and the Huns. so, forbut when Magyars conquered losing your It wasn’t flannel shirt over a Barney’s Gaga’s country in the eleventh century fear theyoffound the place Hunsin line. settled in it. all that bad! Most people were friendly, April just 4, 2014, PMof Workshop ‘Paws Up’ T-shirt, and regular I find that the district he named is in the extreme east of the country, on 6:51-8:15ish the borders some more because they were smoking Hell. Dank musk of marijuana jeans. I’vestates, got our concert and train tickets three Transylvania, Moldavia, and Bukovina, in the midst of the Carpathian that least Mary Jane Holland, but that’s in mountains; my left chest pocket, a copy one of the ofwildest and known portions ofhow Europe.circulating. Heat. HEAT. Claustrophobia. concert will here, be. I loved the group I When willhow she start? ‘ARTPOP’ Sharpie in the of other, (I every I found and myasmattering German very useful indeed, I don't know I should be able was surrounded with. There was Carley know, I was delusional). We wait until my to get on without it. brother’s ready for school then drop him (@CareyLauren_), Michael (@maikeeb_kills), and of course, Jamie off on the way to the train station. (@JSmith92). They’re great people to be in line with! Time in line didn’t drag on, it April 4, 2014, 8:11 AM Travel The first photo is posted from the went fast! train. The ride up was relatively short, a little over an hour. We had no idea until we April 4, 2014, 4:30 PM The fake screaming of Gaga arrived with no cab or subway fare that driving by had begun by this time. I was we’d have to run 20-30 blocks to get there. about to beat someone’s ass. Later on I’d gone off to KFC with Maikeeb, Chase and Jorge, but had to leave them there as I had April 4, 2014, 9:53 AM – 4:30 PM to bring a shitty Pizza Hut salad to the Arrival/The Wait
April 4, 2014, 8:16 PM Lady Starlight comes on stage. “[Ladies and gentlemen…] her vagina’s fresher than a summer breeze, [here’s] Lady Starlight!” She has a Coors in her right hand and she’s wearing a black shirt and pants, and a grey dress over it, with high-heel black boots. She looked amazing! She steps up to her music box and, with the first button pushed, begins the opening act.
April 4, 2014, 8:17-8:50 PM Lady Starlight performed for a decent amount of time. She did what she was supposed to, she got thecrowd pumped full of energy. My friend hated it, saying it wasn’t “real music”. I slapped him with the “all music is real music, even electronic” speech, and that seemed to change his mind. April 4, 2014, 8:51-9:24 PM THE REAL WAIT Claustrophobia really started to take effect by now. I’m looking up trying not to pass out from nausea. Then the curtain falls. April 4, 2014, 9:26 PM Showtime I see an arm. The spotlight shines on a door in the top-right of the rose-cluttered stage. I see a leg pop out. Weave! I SEE WEAVE! YAAASS GAGA. She comes out in a modified Born This Way Ball-Bad Romance outfit. Sewer-chic greenish-blonde ARTPOP weave, black Ray-Bans, she looks fabulous. She bends over, giving the crowd a lunar eclipse as she shuts the door. She immediately sits down at a keyboard up on the second story of the stage. Born This Way. The song that saved my life. The feels were real that night. I’m trying to get good footage on my digital camera, but the footage is shaky from me basically seizing in awe of her, and the audio muffled by me bawling my eyes out. This was my first time seeing her in six years. She plays for about five-and-a-half minutes, INCREDIBLE vocals, before disappearing back behind the door as Black Jesus begins.
April 4, 2014, 9:32 PM She reappears on the catwalk. Asiel’s up there with her, sweating his ass as usual. This performance was relatively short, but it made total sense in the set list, since it’s her sharing her story of pursuing her dream all by herself in New York City. The guitar in between Black Jesus + Amen Fashion and Monster was rad as fuck. April 4, 2014, 9:40 PM Gaga comes out in a red one-piece dress with a veil, which she removes to reveal red lingerie with roses in place of her breasts. There’s also a large synthetic red rose in her hair. “I love you so much, I don’t wanna be your friend, [‘cos if we’re friends, I can’t do bad things to you].” The Key is brought out and Gaga begins to sing Bad Romance. The choreography looks so good in person.
She’s playing on the piano built into the F Train, located in The ARTPOP Zone. The strength of her vocals sent shivers down my spine. Someone gave her a cupcake. She was so cute. April 4, 2014, 9:59 PM ‘Yoü and I’ begins. Lighters rise in the air, drinks, hands. The beginning is acoustic, but the band starts up at the first chorus. The high energy in the crowd comforted my anxiety. I felt at home. April 4, 2014, 10:05 PM Gaga escapes through the door behind the piano as a ‘Paparazzi’ interlude begins, and comes out in a Fame era white jacket, and performs ‘Just Dance’. I hadn’t heard this song live since 2008! Her style of performing that song live hadn’t changed at all. As the song ends, Gaga allows a young girl to come backstage after the show. I recall holding their spot in line earlier that day as they went to the McDonalds down the street. April 4, 2014, 10:09 PM Gaga returns to the piano from Born This Way to perform an acoustic rendition of ‘Poker Face’ for us. It was styled like the Glee performance between Rachael and her mother, absolutely amazing. Her voice sounded adorable during the hypnotic chorus. The performance was unlike anything I’d ever heard. April 4, 2014, 10:15 PM “Is that the corner of debauchery? Have you guys thrown up in the corner? That’s disgusting. Oh, it’s Milly? It’s fabulous!” ~Lady Gaga April 4, 2014, 10:16 PM An interlude for ‘ARTPOP’ begins. I recall feeling disappointed she hadn’t performed the song that night, same for Paparazzi. Gaga, once again, exits the stage through the door atop the stage. The crowd muffles about We get a nice view of her world-famous backside. She over their excitement of the show as the band plays a small interlude. It stops, and ‘Applause’ is performed. soon climbs the rose-decorated ladder up to the She’s wearing purple lingerie with matching jacket, mezzanine level where her parents are seated. I, obviously, am still in tears. She was amazing in every ARTPOP mask, and synthetic rose. The audience loses their mind as confetti falls. This is an experience you had way. She performed Bad Romance for about seven to be there to understand. She finishes, and says to wait, minutes. as there’s one more song. April 4, 2014, 9:47 PM “You seem to be having a good time, […] in April 4, 2014, 10:25 PM Gaga sings the chorus acapella as the dancers fact I’m pretty wet already,” she says as Amanda and board the stage. The intro begins and she appears in the Asiel join her center stage for Sexxx Dreams. back, and walks forward. She yells “You know this one! April 4, 2014, 9:48 PM I’d been looking forward to hearing this songHands in the air, ARTPOP!” before performing the new live since I’d watched the livestream for SwineFest! Thesingle. The concert ends in a frenzy of excited screams. crowd was grinding all up on each other, and it was a She bows and says good night before concluding the April 4th Show. Exiting the venue took forever, and I genuine good time. nearly fainted, but I was slain. April 4, 2014, 9:53 PM I hear the familiar opening chords to ‘Dope’,
M onsters have stepped up their game for artRave, the weaves are bigger, the outfits more
colourful and the shoes higher. ArtRave Style secured monsters as the most creative fanbase. We have compiled some of the greatest looks from the 'Ball' so far. Thanks to. . . @Zero_Gaga491 @TygerTheKing @ladykristen_x
@IAMPEACEMONSTER @iamgeorgeluis @_MIAMIMONSTER @Rodshoukoohi @queenNigber @HannahShega41
@jimmylovesgaga @Carlos_clderon
For your submissions and a special thanks to @HausOfGypsies for compiling them all.