The Art of Personal Chaos (also known as the MAYHEM Promotional Tour) was a limited series of concerts by Lady Gaga in 2025, supporting her seventh studio album, MAYHEM. The series featured nine performances across four countries—United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore—marking Gaga’s return to these regions for the first time since her 2012 The Born This Way Ball tour. It began with her headlining performances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11 and April 18, concluding with a final show in Singapore on May 24.
The Copacabana Beach concert in Rio de Janeiro, which was free to attend, drew an estimated 2.5 million people, making it the largest performance of Gaga’s career and setting a record for the biggest crowd ever for a female artist. The tour served as a prelude to her subsequent world tour, The Mayhem Ball.
At Coachella 2025, Gaga unveiled a five-act performance exploring themes of duality and inner chaos. Directed by Gaga alongside choreographer Parris Goebel, each act was developed from concept to staging. Critics praised the show’s theatrical ambition, striking visuals, and Gaga’s vocal power, ranking it among her most acclaimed live productions.
The show was revamped for The Mayhem Ball, with new visuals, outfits, a slighty different and expanded setlist, and other kind of changes.
Set list
- Lady Gaga Present "The Art of Personal Chaos"
Intro: Manifesto of Mayhem
- Act I: "Of Velvet and Vice"
- "Bloody Mary"
- "Abracadabra"
- "Judas"
- "Scheiße"
- "Garden of Eden"
- "Poker Face"
- Interlude: "Off With Her Head" (with elements of "Abracadabra" Gesaffelstein remix)
- Act II: "And She Fell Into a Gothic Dream"
- "Perfect Celebrity"
- "Disease"
- "Paparazzi"
- "Alejandro"
- "The Beast"
- Act III: "The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name"
- "Killah"
- "Zombieboy"
- "Die With a Smile"
- "How Bad Do U Want Me"
- Interlude: "Dance or Die"
- Act IV: "To Wake Her Is to Lose Her"
- "Shadow of a Man" (with outro contains elements of "Kill for Love")
- "Born This Way"
- "Blade of Grass" (April 26 to May 19 only)
- "Always Remember Us This Way" (May 21-24 only)
- "Shallow"
- "Vanish Into You"
- Notes:
- For the first Coachella show, Gaga was joined on stage for "Killah" by Gesaffelstein.
- From the first Mexico City show, to the second Singapore show, "Blade of Grass" was added to the set list, preceding "Shallow".
- For the third and fourth Singapore shows, "Always Remember Us This Way" was added to the set list, preceding "Shallow".
Inspiration
The Red Queen
Lady Gaga's The Art of Personal Chaos, a series of theatrical concerts in 2025 promoting her seventh studio album MAYHEM draws on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871), using the archetypical dichotomy of good and evil to frame its narrative.
The Mistress of Mayhem, Gaga's alter ego, is inspired by the Red Queen and elements of the Queen of Hearts from Carroll's works. This persona appears in the opening Manifesto of Mayhem.
The White Queen, based on Carroll's chess piece character from Through the Looking-Glass, represents positive attributes such as creativity and order, contrasting the Mistress's chaotic persona. Gaga portrays herself as Alice, navigating a dreamlike narrative inspired by Alice's journey through Wonderland, a concept echoed in her 2020 song "Alice" from Chromatica, which references seeking "Wonderland" as a metaphor for escape.
The White Queen
The production integrates Wonderland motifs across its acts. Act I features a chessboard-themed performance of "Poker Face", referencing the chess game in Through the Looking-Glass where Alice progresses as a pawn. The Off With Her Head/Ballroom interlude, remixing "Abracadabra" incorporates the Queen of Hearts' signature phrase from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Mistress of Mayhem incorporates Red Queen-inspired lines such as "Off with their heads!" and "Find her... bring her to me" during performances, drawn from Carroll's texts and adaptations. These elements connect to the Wonderland narrative, reinforcing the production's thematic exploration of identity and fame through a literary lens.
Concept and synopsis
The title card features text styled in Laura Worthington’s Origins font.
Conceived as a theatrical experience, The Art of Personal Chaos was structured into five acts - Act I: "Of Velvet and Vice", Act II: "And She Fell into a Gothic Dream", Act III: "The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name", Act IV: "To Wake Her Is to Lose Her" & Finale: "Eternal Aria of the Monster Heart", each exploring themes of fame, duality, and inner turmoil. The show opened with "The Manifesto of Mayhem," a monologue delivered by Gaga and a character known as the Mistress of MAYHEM.
Choreographer Parris Goebel worked closely with Gaga to craft the show’s intricate dance sequences and immersive visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from opera and psychological drama, the production featured custom-designed costumes and dynamic lighting, each element reflecting different facets of the Mayhem universe. The set design and choreography seamlessly blended influences from Gaga’s past eras with fresh concepts tailored for both live audiences and online broadcasts. This concert series also marked Gaga’s second collaboration with renowned set designer Es Devlin, who previously designed the original theater version of The Monster Ball in 2009.
Manifesto of Mayhem
| “ | This is the Manifesto of Mayhem. |
” |
—Lady Gaga | ||
![[1]](/wiki/File:4-11-25_Coachella_001.png "4-11-25 Coachella 001.png (390 KB)")
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- Straitjacket by Dolce & Gabbana and custom hat by Lara Jensen.
- Dress by Gyouree Kim.
Act I: "Of Velvet and Vice"
Act I title card
Gaga emerged atop a towering red gown reminiscent of the Tudor era, delivering an orchestral rendition of "Bloody Mary." As the skirt lifted, revealing a steel cage housing dancers, she transitioned into "Abracadabra." Subsequent performances included "Judas", "Scheiße," and "Garden of Eden", culminating in a chessboard-themed "Poker Face," where Gaga and her alter-ego vied for dominance, echoing Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2005 "It's Only a Game" runway show.
- Custom jacket by Samuel Lewis x William Ramseur x Athena Lawton.
- Custom red dress by Samuel Lewis x Seth Pratt.
- Custom green dress by Samuel Lewis x Seth Pratt.
- Custom teddy by Samuel Lewis x Seth Pratt and boots by Steve Madden.
Act II: "And She Fell into a Gothic Dream"
Act II title card
Set in a burial ground, Gaga performed "Perfect Celebrity" alongside skeletal figures, including her deceased doppelgänger. An intense sequence followed with "Disease," leading to a poignant "Paparazzi" as Gaga emerged from the grave. For the latter song, Gaga makes references of it's music video and the Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter collection "Scanners". After climbing the set and addressing the audience, the act concluded with "Alejandro" and "The Beast," highlighting themes of resurrection and inner turmoil.
![[1]](/wiki/File:05-03-25_MAYHEM_on_The_Beach_by_Luiz_Henrique_Coutinho_009.jpg "05-03-25 MAYHEM on The Beach by Luiz Henrique Coutinho 009.jpg (1.07 MB)")
![[2]](/wiki/File:4-11-25_Kevin_Mazur_010.jpg "4-11-25 Kevin Mazur 010.jpg (2.13 MB)")
- Custom dress by Dilara Findikoglu.
- Custom bolero and helmet by Manuel Albarran.
Act III: "The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name"
Act III title card
This segment embraced a carnivalesque atmosphere. Gaga, in a blue and black ensemble, led performances of "Killah" with dancers dressed as jesters, "Zombieboy" featuring skeleton props, and a solo piano rendition of "Die With a Smile." The act concluded with "How Bad Do U Want Me," as Gaga interacted with the audience amidst vibrant lighting. The MAYHEM zoetrope vinyl can be seen spinning as the video background*.
![[1]](/wiki/File:4-11-25_Kevin_Mazur_009.jpg "4-11-25 Kevin Mazur 009.jpg (8.71 MB)")
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![[4]](/wiki/File:04-26-25_Long_Live_MAYHEM_stadium_concert_at_GNP_Seguros_Stadium,_Mexico_City,_Mexico_014.jpg "04-26-25 Long Live MAYHEM stadium concert at GNP Seguros Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico 014.jpg (2.66 MB)")
![[*]](/wiki/File:4-11-25_Coachella_042.jpg "4-11-25 Coachella 042.jpg (647 KB)")
- Custom coat by Samuel Lewis x William Ramseur x Altesa Embroidery and custom helmet styled as crown by Marni.
- Custom coat by Samuel Lewis x William Ramseur x Altesa Embroidery on May 3, 2025.
- Custom belt by Jonathan Burdine x Iggy Soliven.
- Custom coat by Marni, custom catsuit by Marni and boots by Ellie.
Act IV: "To Wake Her Is to Lose Her"
Act IV title card
The Mistress of Mayhem's search for Gaga initiated this act. A medley of "Shadow of a Man" and "Kill for Love" set the stage for a heartfelt "Born This Way." Gaga then performed "Shallow" at a piano on the B-stage, followed by an intimate "Vanish Into You," connecting closely with fans.
![[1]](/wiki/File:04-26-25_Long_Live_MAYHEM_stadium_concert_at_GNP_Seguros_Stadium,_Mexico_City,_Mexico_011.jpg "04-26-25 Long Live MAYHEM stadium concert at GNP Seguros Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico 011.jpg (224 KB)")
![[2]](/wiki/File:05-18-25_Lion_City_MAYHEM_at_Singapore_National_Stadium_in_Kallang,_Singapore_018.jpeg "05-18-25 Lion City MAYHEM at Singapore National Stadium in Kallang, Singapore 018.jpeg (2.22 MB)")
- Custom jacket by Louis Verdad x Samuel Lewis and shorts by Los Angeles Apparel.
- Sunglasses by Gucci by Tom Ford, custom bodysuit by BXanderV, boots by Steve Madden x Lacey Dalimonte.
Finale: "Eternal Aria of the Monster Heart"
Finale title card
The concert culminated with the Chromatica Ball arrangement of "Bad Romance," where Gaga and her ensemble donned Elizabethan-inspired attire, simulating a medieval medical operation. A recorded speech declared, "Monsters Never Die," signifying triumph over chaos. The show concluded with a collective bow and a fireworks display.
- Custom coat, bodysuit and skirt by Matières Fécales, custom boots by Chrome Hearts, custom collar piece by Paul Battenberg-Cartwright for Matières Fécales, and custom gloves by Yaz XL.
Development
Stage Design
The stage was designed by TAIT Towers and Jet Sets.
Lighting & Video Design
The Lighting & Video Design was done by FragmentNine (F9).
| “ | Lady Gaga’s triumphant return to Coachella in 2025 sent shockwaves across the world. Heralded as the best Coachella headline performance of all time by a litany press outlets, Gaga’s theatrically inspired show was the epitome of high art at Coachella. Through an incredible collaboration with Gaga herself, Parris Goebel, Es Devlin, Jason Ardizzone-West and more, FragmentNine brought a mix of opera, theater, dance, and edm visuals to the desert. f9, tasked with lighting and video design, amplified Gaga’s narrative driven show to heights not seen before on this scale, or this timeline.
|
” |
—FragmentNine | ||
Dates
 Dates
|
Subtitle | Location |  City
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2025 | MAYHEM in the Desert | Coachella | Indio, CA | 
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| April 18, 2025 | ||||
| April 26, 2025 | Long Live MAYHEM (Spanish: ¡Viva La MAYHEM!) |
Estadio GNP Seguros | Mexico City | 
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| April 27, 2025 | ||||
| May 3, 2025 | MAYHEM on the Beach (Portuguese: MAYHEM na Praia) |
Copacabana Beach | Rio de Janeiro | 
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| May 18, 2025 | Lion City MAYHEM (Malay: MAYHEM Singapura) |
Singapore National Stadium | Kallang | 
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| May 19, 2025 | ||||
| May 21, 2025 | ||||
| May 24, 2025 |
Broadcast
Both Lady Gaga's Coachella performances were streamed live on the festival's official YouTube channel. Her Rio de Janeiro concert was broadcast live on television by TV Globo and Multishow and streamed on Globoplay, drawing 34.5 million viewers.
Notable Performances
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
- Main article: Coachella
Gaga's performances at Coachella were lauded for their theatrical ambition and visual impact. Critics described the two-hour set as a profound commentary on the nuances of fame and celebrity life, structured into five distinct acts that highlighted different aspects of Gaga's evolution. The shows were streamed live on Coachella's official YouTube channel, reaching a global audience.
Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro
- Main article: Todo Mundo no Rio
On May 3, Gaga performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, attracting an estimated 2.5 million attendees. This event became the largest performance of her career and set a record for the largest crowd ever for a female artist and was officially recognized as such by Guinness Book of Records. The production featured a massive stage with a 60-meter-wide LED screen and 16 delay towers equipped with 9-meter-high screens, ensuring visibility for the vast audience. The concert was broadcast live on television by TV Globo and Multishow and streamed on Globoplay, drawing 34.5 million viewers.
Commercial Performance
Tickets for the Mexico City shows saw high demand, leading to the addition of a second date. In Singapore, the first day of ticket presales saw queue numbers exceeding two million, causing website crashes and login issues. Scalpers listed event tickets on third-party platforms at inflated prices, with some VIP packages priced at S$30,000.
Merchandise
- Main article: Official Merchandise
- Long Live MAYHEM Collection
- MAYHEM on the Beach Collection
- Lion City MAYHEM Collection
Personnel
- Director Lady Gaga
- Creative Direction by Lady Gaga and Parris Goebel
- Promoter — Live Nation Global Touring (Worldwide)
- Management — Bobby Campbell at Haus of Gaga
- Production Manager — Chris Vineyard & Jason Danter
- Tour Manager — Ky Cabot
- Stage Manager — Chris Organ
- Show Caller — Claudette Waddle
- Screens Producer — Loren Barton
- Scenic & Automation — TAIT Towers & Jet Sets
- Lighting and Video — Solotech
- SFX — Pyrotec
- Music department
- Musical Direction — Natural
- Drums — Tosh Peterson
- Guitars — Ricky Tillo, Tim Stewart and Eric Ingram
- 360 Degree Piano/Keyboard — Brockett Parsons
- Audio programmer/Playback engineer — André Bowman
- String Arrangements — Steve Sidwell and Lenny Wee
- Choral Arrangements — Aaron Encinas, Josh Munnell and Andy Delos Santos at Momentum Vocals
- Choral Conductor — Michelle Jensen
- Violin — Tuffonix, Juliette Jones, Monique Brooks Roberts, Tianna Heppner, John Pollock, Brandon Encinas and Jaylon Black.
- Cello — Keith Snow and Peter Jacobson
- Audio team — Chris Vineyard, Tyler Barber, Paul Ramsay, Bill Malina, Erik Rodstol, Darren Keddy and Fionn Roche.
- Fashion department
- Fashion director — HARDSTYLE: Peri Rosenzweig and Nick Royal
- Hair Creative direction — Frederic Aspiras at Haus of Gaga
- Hair Key — Elena Gharbigi
- Dancers Hair stylists — Elena Gharbigi, Odyz Zeuz, Deidra Chattams, LaDawn and Armineh Vartanians
- Make-up Creative direction — Sarah Tanno-Stewart at Haus of Gaga
- Key Makeup Artist — Phuong Tran
- Dancers Make-up artists — Yvette Evora, Annie Bran, Dee Carrion, Dennese Rodriguez Hermoso and Michael Byron Shepherd
- Nails artist — Miho Okawara
- Dancer department
- Choreographer — Parris Goebel
- Assistant Choreographers — China Taylor, Gab Robert and Jessica Toatoa
- Dancers — Victor Rojas, Ian McKenzie, China Taylor, Jessica Toatoa, Yuli Maldonado, Summer Waikiki, Briana Morrison, Kayla Rae Zimmerman, Tacir Roberson, Starley Anne, Jennique Derousseau, Alaïa (@ya_alaia), Aísha Yaretzi, Ami Takashima, Taylor Amaré Marić, Jade Chynoweth, Bailey Dean Holt, Ashley Kole, Zara Dimmock, Dez Soliven, Mekhi Cuffee, Dre'moni Watts, Jose Tena, Jordan Harris, Michael Ramos, Michael Dameski, Yai Ariza, Zavion Brown, Devin Neal, Shea Evanss, Isaiah Reid and Kelvin Bryan Delgado.
- Production department
- Production Design — Es Devlin at Es Devlin Studio and Jason Ardizzone-West at jAW Studio
- Assistant Designers for JAW Productions — Sean Sanford, Ethan Brown, Mehula Singh, Christina Shrewsbury
- Associate Designers for Es Devlin Studio — Scarlett Moloney, Zoe Diakaki, Anna Niamh Gorman, Temitayo Shonibare, Victoria 'Vicky' Bosch Velez
- Screen Content — FragmentNine
- Lighting Designer — Jeremy Lechterman at FragmentNine (F9)
- Video Designer — Jackson Gallagher at FragmentNine (F9)
- Camera Direction — Micah Bickham
- Technical Direction — Chris Vineyard & Jason Danter
- Video screen department
- Content Art Director — Ally Munro at FragmentNine (F9)
- Lighting Programmer — Sam Paine
- Video Programmer — Sydney Asselin
- Additional Lighting Programmer — Dane Kick
- Associate Lighting Designer — Alex Talbot
- Associate Video Designer — James Gallo
- FragmentNine (F9) — Pablo Beckett, Alex Campbell, Lily Castellanos, Kevan Looney, Ricky Runfola, Sean Kusanagi, Dan Efros, Rachel Oftedhal, Gabe Firestone, Andrew Gange, Lightborne, Rob Kuhn, Nate Smith, Chaz Hamman, Mike Hankowsky and Lewis Kyle White.
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| Related articles | Performances |
Haus of Gaga (Dancers - Band) · Notable Moments (career highlights) | |
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