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Set list

  1. Intro Film
  2. "Bad Romance" (contains elements of "Fugue No. 24 in B minor")
  3. "Just Dance"
  4. "Poker Face" (Enigma edit)
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "Just Dance".

  1. Operation Film (contains elements of "Poker Face")
  2. "Chromatica I" & "Alice"
  3. "Replay"
  4. "Monster"
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "Monster".

  1. Flowers Film
  2. "Chromatica II" & "911"
  3. "Sour Candy"
  4. "Telephone" (Enigma edit)
  5. "LoveGame" (Enigma edit/contains a guitar riff from "John Wayne" and elements of "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang")
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "911".

  1. Psychedelic Film (contains elements of "Alice")
  2. "Chromatica III" & "Babylon"
  3. "Free Woman"
  4. "Born This Way" (Acoustic followed by the album version)
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "Babylon".

  1. Tamara Film
  2. "Shallow"
  3. "Always Remember Us This Way"
  4. "The Edge of Glory" (Piano version)
  5. "1000 Doves" (Piano version)
  6. "Angel Down" (Work Tape, selected dates)
  7. "Fun Tonight"
  8. "Enigma"
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "Shallow".

  1. Sonnet Film
  2. "Stupid Love"
  3. "Rain On Me"
Encore
  1. "Hold My Hand"
Gaga during the performance of "".

Gaga during the performance of "Hold My Hand".

Makeup & Hairstyles

In contrast to the pink Cyberpunk aesthetic done two years prior and a compliment to the dark brutalist stage of the tour, Lady Gaga utilized an updated version of her signature Mother Monster style (previously seen in the "Alejandro", "Born This Way", "Judas", “The Edge Of Glory”, "Marry The Night" music videos, the layouts from the Born This Way album and American Horror Story: Hotel).

For the 20 shows, Gaga and Frederic Aspiras created two wigs in Gaga's signature platinum blonde color. Her first wig is a slicked back shoulder length bob that she wears throughout the prelude up to Act IV. The second wig is a tousled version of the slicked back shoulder length bob exclusively for the Finale.

For makeup, Gaga and Sarah Tanno-Stewart's approach was to use existing and prototype Haus Labs products for the entire tour. To create the dark Mother Monster look, Sarah and Gaga chose the Ruby shine Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer for lips as a reference to the previous works by Val Garland and Tara Savelo, the Triclone Skin Tech foundation in Gaga's skin color, Carbon black Mini Liquid Eye-Lie-Ner for lids drawn in a double wing style inspired from the makeup from the Born This Way era and the "Rain On Me" music video. The finale's makeup consisted of two double wing style eyeliner covering the entire eyelids while maintaining the same foundation, lacquer and lips, which was inspired from the Born This Way looks by Tara Savelo.

Synopsis

The show was approximately 130-minute long, divided into a prelude, four acts and a finale. Like both versions of the Monster Ball Tour, each segment starts and ends with an interlude directed by Gaga's longtime collaborator Nick Knight. It follows a loose narrative of Gaga's journey from being trapped to becoming liberated.

Pre Show

This is the only concert tour that didn't have an opening act. However, the pre-show consisted of a DJ mix consisting of House and Techno tracks from the past and the present from the likes of Felix Da Housecat, BURNS, TCHAMI, Basement Jaxx, Orbital and many more. The stage's backdrop consists of a Brutalist background (which is pretty similar to the background of Leonardo Da Vinci's painting The Last Supper), while the two giant screens feature a giant round Brutalist wall.

Prelude

Intro Film

Soon after the stadium lights go out and the Brutalist backdrop fades, the show starts with two flashes of light. Those lights eventually transforms to several rays of light representing Time and Space forming a black sphere that eventually turns red (which probably symbolizes the birth of Chromatica) created by visual artist Marcin Pospiech. Following the conception of the sphere, it starts to project smoke as the camera starts to zoom inside of it, showing a shadowy Geometric silhouette mutating into different shapes on top of a black piano with two video cameras droning around it shot by Nick Knight. The next scene shows a camera's lens. The moment it goes deeper inside the lens, it shows another silhouette in a gown. Later on, the silhouette reveals itself to be Lady Gaga in a state of manic torture and anguish. Gaga takes off her mask and kisses it. The final scene shows her shedding a tear, which quickly transitions to black followed by a countdown in a Bauhaus font, signaling the prelude of the show.

  1. Lady Gaga wears sleeves, a mini dress and a headpiece by Gareth Pugh, and boots by Pleaser.
  2. Lady Gaga wears a bonnet by Bradley Sharpe x Nerol Studio.
  3. Lady Gaga wears a jacket and a gown by Bradley Sharpe, a bra by American Apparel, and a custom mask by Cecilio Castrillo.
Interpretation
ATTENTION!
The following section is based on fan's speculation and may not represent Gaga's intention or meaning.

Most likely, the introduction video was inspired by Hieronymus Bosch's masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights (1490-1510) and the Apocalyptic Film from the Monster Ball Tour 2.0. The shadowy Geometric silhouette of this interlude probably symbolizes The Fame Monster that evolved from the giant figure from the Apocalyptic Film.

"Bad Romance"

Prior to the song, it was preceded by a long instrumental intro just in time for Gaga to take center stage. In the dark, Gaga and two dancers prepare the sarcophagus dress (similar concept from The Fame Ball Tour). Shortly after the instrumental, it was followed by dancers doing a routine using the synthesized version of Fugue No. 4 in B Minor from the Bad Romance music video accompanied by the orchestra. After that, Gaga starts singing the Coachella, Joanne World Tour and Enigma arrangement of "Bad Romance" accompanied by the pyrotechnics, the orchestra and the dancers performing the original choreography on the main stage and two runways. After the second chorus, two dancers separate the two parts of the dress while Gaga is still standing on the platform wearing an armored high collared ensemble.

  • NOTE: during the Daylight shows, the dancers would block the upper floor of the stage just to cover Gaga's entrance. Once after the song begins, they waltz out of the upper floor and return to the ground floor of the stage following the first verse.
  • Three years later, the arrangement is later used in the Mayhem Promotional Concert series "The Art of Personal Chaos" and it's postlude tour "The Mayhem Ball".
Lady Gaga wears a custom vessel-dress, cocoon armor, a top, and trousers by Gareth Pugh, a bodysuit by Atsuko Kudo, and a visor by Divamp Couture. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)
Interpretation
ATTENTION!
The following section is based on fan's speculation and may not represent Gaga's intention or meaning.

Most likely, an armored high collared ensemble by Gareth Pugh was inspired by Klaus Nomi (see below for reference).

"Just Dance"

"Just Dance" starts with the bridge "Half psychotic sick hypnotic" repeating a few times before transitioning to the Joanne World Tour and Enigma arrangement accompanied by strings from the orchestra and the original synthesizer lead instead of a keytar.

"Poker Face"

"Poker Face" uses the Joanne World Tour and Enigma arrangement of the song along with the usual choreography while still standing on the rotating platform. The backdrop on the other hand shows a 3D model of the Gaga sculpture from the 2010 BRIT Awards doing the choreography of the song. After the song, Gaga faints and is dragged backstage for the next act. During the North American and Japanese legs of the tour and following the announcement of the film Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) on Gaga's Instagram, she would start laughing before or even after the performance as a reference to her upcoming role as Harley Quinn for the film.

Act I

Operation Film

In this film, Gaga is seen being strapped in a operating table and several other mechanical devices. This interlude's live soundtrack contains the "Muh-mah-mah-mah" sample from "Poker Face" and the Loon Bird sample played by the PianoArc player Brockett Parsons and was also reprised for the second act's interlude.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a harness bustier by Zana Bayne, trousers by AZIZ, boots by Pleaser, and an unsigned head harness as a headpiece.
  2. Lady Gaga wears a custom bodysuit by Vex Clothing x Yummy Gummy Latex.
  • NOTES:
  1. The second version of this interlude was later used in the second night of the London stop. It features a 3D model of Gaga in the cables object, without textures.
  2. The first version of this interlude was later used in the closing night of the show.
Interpretation
ATTENTION!
The following section is based on fan's speculation and may not represent Gaga's intention or meaning.

Operating table and several other mechanical devices depicted in this interlude may symbolize Bondage, Grooming and Exploitation that came from Fame. This leads to another visual representing of Gaga's mind that eventually created the concept of Chromatica.

"Chromatica I" & "Alice"

During "Chromatica I", the screens show a red visual of Gaga's mind, which may be conceptualizing the context of Chromatica. On stage, the dancers walk in and brings a tall operating table with Gaga strapped to it. Gaga then starts to sing "Alice" while lying down on the table and acts as if she's being tortured. The table rises high during the first verse up to the chorus. During the final chorus, the table lowers down until the song is over.

Lady Gaga wears a custom gown by Topo Studio NY, a custom bodysuit by Vex Clothing x Yummy Gummy Latex, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, a custom choker by Assaad Awad, and gloves by Paula Rowan. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)

"Replay"

Soon after the operating table lowers down, a dancer picks up and carries Gaga to the center of the stage. From there, Gaga and her dancers perform "Replay". The top of Gaga's gown comes off for the first chorus of the song. Before each drop of the song, Gaga would scream to the audience to put their hands up and jump for the drop.

"Monster"

For "Monster", Gaga reprised the choreography from arena version of the Monster Ball Tour, which includes the famous devouring act from the dancers during the bridge. Unlike the routine from the Monster Ball Tour, Gaga improvised on the jump during the final chorus (since the stage lacks lifts), wears a red jacket symbolizing flesh instead of using fake blood and a pair of sunglasses as a reference to the theater version of the Monster Ball Tour.

Lady Gaga wears a jacket by AZIZ and sunglasses by Komono x Tom Eerebout. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)

Act II

Flowers Film

This interlude contains various footages of "ghostly botanical arrangements", as they described by Vogue[1], by Luna Ikuta and black and white live footage of the band including PianoArc player Brockett Parsons filmed by a cameraman. The film ends with one of the botanical compositions zooming onto a sleeping figure. The soundtrack for this film is similar to the interlude for ACT I that also includes chopped up samples of "Enigma" and the "Muh-mah-mah-mah" sample from "Poker Face".

Additional Note:

  • Starting from the show in Paris, The Poker Face sample was omitted in the end as PianoArc Brockett Parsons uses various piano arrangements for the interlude.
Lady Gaga wears a jacket and boots by Gareth Pugh.

"Chromatica II" & "911"

Later on, that sleeping figure wakes up, wanders around and eventually runs away from the screen (similar to the music video), followed by a geometric figure and a frame opening the performance of "911". The dancers waltz their way to the stage as Gaga walks. Soon as "911" starts, Gaga and the dancers utilized a new choreography. The song's arrangement consists of an extended intro of the song along with vocoder loops of the line "I can't see me cry", and it ends after the second chorus.

Lady Gaga wears a custom bodysuit and trousers by Topo Studio NY x Muto-Little Costumes, a custom shoulder top, gloves, and an elbow pad by House Of Namaste, and a custom hat by Noel Stewart. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)

"Sour Candy"

After "911" comes an edited version of "Sour Candy" with an extended outro. Gaga and her dancers do a hyperactive choreography accompanied by strobing semi-psychedelic backdrops including scenes of a candy crushing machine.

  • NOTE: While Gaga's lines are present, this arrangement for "Sour Candy" also uses the lines of BLɅϽKPIИK's members Jennie and Lisa while omitting Jisoo and Rosé's lines.

"Telephone"

This song uses the arrangement from the Enigma shows. Gaga and her dancers performed the usual choreography of the song accompanied by the pyrotechnics shooting fire 60 ft in the air. Gaga and her dancers end the song in one of the runways.

"LoveGame"

After "Telephone", Gaga removes her vinyl jacket with help from a dancer and the lights turn pink for "LoveGame". The song used the arrangement from the Coachella, Joanne World Tour and Enigma shows, which includes the guitar riff from "John Wayne" and the bassline and synthesizer riff from "Nuthin' But A G Thang". However, unlike in the Enigma shows, the song's extended outro is uninterrupted and incorporates loops of the famous "Huh" sample, synthesizers and electric guitars besides the "Nuthin' But A G Thang" hook before Gaga leaves the stage for the next act. Gaga and her dancers also used the original choreography of the song.

Gaga and her dancers utilize the original choreography along with new routines similar to the arena shows of the Monster Ball Tour accompanied by the pyrotechnics.

  • NOTE: This is also the third tour where Gaga doesn't use a Disco Stick (the first being, the later dates of the Born This Way Ball and the Enigma shows) while performing the song.

Act III

Psychedelic Film

This interlude is created by Nick Knight along with Yonkers Vidal. It features Gaga posing in a Schiaparelli ensemble while holding two round mirror like objects which may be representing Yin and Yang. Later, the video transitions to a psychedelic composition similar to the earlier interludes created by Yonkers Vidal. This interlude also reprises reverbed and chopped up excerpts of "Alice".

Lady Gaga wears a corset bodice and trousers by Schiaparelli, boots by Pleaser, and a felt hat by Stephen Jones for Schiaparelli.

"Chromatica III"

Gaga can be seen acting as a conductor and standing as an ancient sculpture on-screen during "Chromatica III". On stage, Gaga and her dancers walk to the stage with both their arms up in the air in a V position (similar to Venus) dressed in gold suits. However in contrast to it's original arrangement and the absence of "Sine From Above", "Chromatica III"'s arrangement was modified just to accommodate to the transition of "Babylon".

  1. Lady Gaga wears a modified version of a dress by Viktor & Rolf.
  2. Lady Gaga wears an archival blazer by Balenciaga.

"Babylon"

"Babylon" starts with a 16 second intro using the breakdown beat of the song. From there, Gaga declares to the audience to "WERK". She then starts performing to the entire song accompanied by the orchestra and the Canadian Loon sample. The choreography of this song incorporates the classic way of Voguing as a nod to ballroom culture (see "Interpretation" section below). During the first drop, Gaga takes off her jacket with the help of a dancer. She then continues to vogue throughout the song until the second to the last chorus accompanied by the orchestra. She then puts on a custom coat by Topo Studio NY and a custom golden version of a headpiece by Philip Treacy (the original one was famously worn by Isabella Blow and Grace Jones) and walks straight to the runway heading to the crowd.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a custom blazer, a shirt, and trousers by Alexander McQueen. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)
  2. Lady Gaga wears a corset dress by Mio Design and gloves by Vex Clothing.
Dancers wear outfits by Perry Meek and headpieces by Lara Jensen.
  • NOTES:
  • On July 30th, 2022 show in London, UK, Lady Gaga made a reference to Madonna's song "Vogue".
  • On July 24th, 2022 show in Saint-Denis, Paris, France, Lady Gaga declared that "Paris is Burning!" as a reference to the Jenny Livingston documentary of the same name.
  • Starting from the September 10th, 2022 show in Los Angeles, the dancers apply the Philip Treacy headpiece on Gaga’s face after the song ends.

External resources and references of Gaga's studies of Ballroom Culture:

"Free Woman"

"Free Woman" consisted of the original arrangement with an extended outro. In this performance, Gaga and her dancers make their way to the B-Stage while interacting with the audience and being filmed by a crew member which also projects to the screens. As soon as Gaga makes her way to the B-Stage, the dancers perform the remainder of the song while Gaga does a quick change underneath the B-Stage. Gaga changes to a simple golden bra and wore the jacket (initially worn during "Babylon") once again, and joins the dancers until the end of the song.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a custom coat by Topo Studio NY. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)
    1. Lady Gaga wears a custom headpiece by Philip Treacy. (July 29th, 2022 - September 8th, 2022)
Interpretation
ATTENTION!
The following section is based on fan's speculation and may not represent Gaga's intention or meaning.

A custom coat by Topo Studio NY was probably inspired by Pepper Labeija (The Founding Mother of the House of Labeija) (see below for reference).

"Born This Way"

Lady Gaga sings the first verse and chorus on the piano while giving a speech, eventually followed by the Joanne World Tour and Enigma arrangement of the album version throughout the second verse until the very end. The performance was accompanied by the orchestra and the flamethrowers.

Act IV

Tamara Interlude

This interlude features Gaga striking theatrical poses on several backdrops created by Andrew Tomlinson. According to Nick Knight, the Art Deco influenced set was heavily based on the set used for both versions of the Apocalyptic Film from The Monster Ball Tour[2]. Also, according to Andrew Tomlinson, this interlude was an homage to the works of Polish Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka and was inspired by majority of her signature Art Deco paintings from 1928-1935 and some of her later works from the 1940's (see each painting below for reference). The last scene of the interlude shows the Art Deco-influenced backdrop used in many of Tamara's paintings (Portrait of Marjorie Ferry (1932) and Portrait of Madame M (1932) may serve as vivid examples).

The soundtrack of the film was produced by BloodPop®, TCHAMI and Burns, which consists of several reverbed samples from "Rain On Me", "Free Woman" and "Plastic Doll", automated TB-303 acid basslines, the bassline stem from "Venus" and the famous South Canadian Loon sample from the Emu-Emulator II synthesizer used for 808 State's Pacific State and "Babylon". The last scene of the interlude shows the Art Deco-influenced backdrop without Lady Gaga and then fades to black.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a gown, a coat, a headpiece, and a veil by Christian Lacroix, and earrings by Miss Sohee.
  2. Lady Gaga wears a gown by Christian Lacroix, a headpiece by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen, earrings by Miss Sohee, a bracelet by VICKISARGE, and two rings by Swarovski.

"Shallow"

The guitarist Ricky Tillo opens the performance as Gaga rises from the platform along with her piano. Soon after, Gaga performs with her piano and eventually sings the original arrangement of the song with a reprise of the chorus.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a bodysuit by Atsuko Kudo, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, and a custom helmet headpiece by Xtian de Medici. (July 17th, 2022)
  2. Lady Gaga wears a custom bodysuit with Swarovski crystal embellishments by Dead Lotus Couture, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, and a custom helmet headpiece by Xtian de Medici. (July 21st, 2022)
  3. Lady Gaga wears a custom bodysuit without crystal embellishments by Dead Lotus Couture, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, and a custom helmet headpiece by Xtian de Medici. (July 24th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)
Interpretation

According to Nange Magro, the founder of Dead Lotus Couture, the design of Gaga's both custom bodysuits she created for the singer was heavily inspired by a corset from Thierry Mugler's Fall/Winter 1998 "As Big as the Ritz" Haute Couture collection along with references of the Chromatica symbols.

"Always Remember Us This Way"

Gaga takes off her headpiece and would make a speech before performing. She then performs with the band.

"The Edge of Glory"

The band takes a short break and leaves Lady Gaga to perform a piano version of the song, similar arrangement from the Joanne World Tour. She would occasionally stop after each verse and chorus to talk to the audience.

"1000 Doves" / "Angel Down"

On the first few dates of the show (with the exception of the opening night on July 17th), Gaga would perform "1000 Doves" on the piano. On later dates starting from the August 23rd show, Gaga replaced "1000 Doves" with "Angel Down" (in the key of the work tape) as a way to dedicate those affected by current events caused by politics.

Note:

  • The closing show of the tour was interrupted due to the inclement weather. Due to the safety concerns for Gaga, the audience, dancers, band, and the crew, Gaga decided not to finish the rest of the show, hence the whole show ending with the first verse and one half of the chorus of "Angel Down".

"Fun Tonight"

Like with the performance of "Born This Way", "Fun Tonight"'s arrangement consists of Gaga singing the first verse and chorus on the piano, followed by the original version of the song. The beginning of the original version consists of an instrumental intro before Gaga sings the rest of the song (especially on piano). At one point, Gaga would stand on the piano bench and raise one of her legs up in the air (as seen in The Fame Ball and The Monster Ball Tour shows). During the final chorus, Gaga leaves the piano as it lowers down on stage.

"Enigma"

After "Fun Tonight", Gaga grabs a microphone stand and performs the entirety of "Enigma". At some point, Gaga would dance around the stage or even lift the microphone stand up during the closing chorus of the song. Afterwards (like with "LoveGame" and "Free Woman"), the song's instrumental starts to loop as Gaga and her dancers run back to the main stage. Once Gaga returns to the main stage, she would strut around the stage and would leave for another costume change.

Finale

A Sonnet For a Knight Film

The final interlude of the evening features Gaga posing while wearing a custom hemlined coat by Alexander McQueen from the personal collection of their friend Daphne Guinness. Afterwards, it fades to black and would show brief clips of Gaga in another black coat by Alexander McQueen, at one point would ask if everybody's quiet. It quickly transitions back to her while reciting an original sonnet about the responsibility and burdens about being an artist.

Who studies honesty with wilder gaze, while through its oddity must wings take flight.

Through alchemy the artist’s mind a maze, a labyrinth of souls make joy and plight.
Admired by all faithful to their craft, my gasp is quick, imagining we’re free.
So like the way all children learn to laugh so effortlessly, I have love for thee.
If fantasy could surely make a friend, the palette of your dreams would draw them mad.
Beyond the universe, you know no end while some still search for color never had.
This life is only art on life support, and nature is a knight no king or court.

Soon after, the camera quickly fades to black and the screen reads "FINALE".

  1. Lady Gaga wears a coat by Alexander McQueen custom-made for Daphne Guinness and boots by Pleaser.
  2. Lady Gaga wears a coat by Alexander McQueen from Daphne Guinness' archive and boots by Pleaser.

"Stupid Love"

The band starts playing an intro as Gaga comes out with her second to the last outfit and a 2nd wig dancing to the beat in the manner of Michael Jackson. Afterwards, she proceeds to perform the entirety of "Stupid Love" with it's original choreography. After the song is over, she starts to lie down on stage.

  • NOTE: From the Parisian shows onwards, the screen also features the Chromatica symbol during the intro of the performance.
Lady Gaga wears a jacket and a harness by Alexander McQueen, and custom boots by Haus of Gaga. (July 17th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)

"Rain On Me"

While the crew's cameras are aiming at Gaga (still lying down), she starts to perform "Rain On Me" with it's original choreography accompanied by the flamethrowers during the chorus. Gaga would also sing Ariana Grande's lines of this song. After the song is over, Gaga would do one final costume change.

Encore

"Hold My Hand"

Gaga comes back with her final costume change that consists of a black version of the articulated claw fingers featured in the album cover of Chromatica and a black leather jacket. For "Hold My Hand", Gaga sings with the original version of the song accompanied by the band and the flamethrowers. Gaga is also surrounded by a pair of structures emitting fire on the main stage and would jump past them. Before Gaga sings the closing lines of the song, Gaga would thank the audience and tells them that she loves them. She then closes the song by jumping past the flamethrowers followed by the band ending the song.

After the song was over, the dancers come out to take a bow along with Gaga. Afterwards, the camera pans to Gaga forming a heart and eventually the Monster Paw with the articulated fingers. She then walks to the back of the stage and the lights go out.

Once the show ends and the stadium lights are back on, the pre-show's playlist goes back on, the band remains on stage to unplug their equipment, to put out the fire and to throw guitar picks and towels at the audience for memorabilia.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a modified version of a jacket by KTZ, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, and a claw hand by Gary Fay. (July 17th & 21st, July 26th, 2022 - September 17th, 2022)
  2. Lady Gaga wears a custom blazer by Celine, custom boots by Haus of Gaga, and a claw hand by Gary Fay. (July 24th, 2022)