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The Monster Ball Tour: Show - Arena

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This page includes content related only to the Arena Version/ 2.0 Version of the Monster Ball Tour. For the DVD and HBO Special, see this page. For the Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson book, see this page.

Development

Sketch shown on Oprah.

Sketch shown on Oprah.

Near the end of the U.S. leg of the tour, Lady Gaga said on twitter: "monsterball is amazing, enjoy while u can. im already redesigning it for 2010, the haus tells me there's hospitals who accept people like me" (Dec. 19, 2009)

Gaga told MTV News on Saturday, hours before her Monster Ball stop in San Diego.

"The re-vamping of the Monster Ball Tour is just something feel she has to do, especially since the current version of the tour came together at the very last second. "It's kind of funny because, after Kanye and I split up for this tour, I was really unsure if I could get a show together in time for my fans," "But I didn't want to disappoint them and not tour over Christmas, and I had a new record coming out, so... what's exciting about this show is that I was able to put together something that, in truth, I never would have done if I had a longer amount of time." "So, I put together a show that is so perfectly an avant-garde-performance-art-fashion installation, put in a blender and vomited on as a pop show. It's kind of this amazing theme of evolution, but it's in a garage, and me and all my friends are kind of exploring the music." "But it's a very vacuous space. It's a box, it's a runway, and we have to transform that space to feel like eight different acts throughout the entire show. But for the next version of the Monster Ball, which is going to be in February when I begin in the U.K. with my arena tour, I'm throwing out the stage. My team thinks I'm completely psychotic. But I don't fucking care what they think."
Performing Just Dance during act I - New York City.

Performing Just Dance during act I - New York City.

Gaga wouldn't divulge too many secrets of the new Monster Ball, but she did say that Danish pop act, Alphabeat, will serve as the opening act. And she also hinted that her fans will be in for a very big show, in just about every conceivable way.

"Well, just to give you an idea, the stage is about four times the size of the one we're on now and conceptually, it's completely different."
"One thing that has been lost over the past 10-15 years, in pop music, is the idea of showbiz. And this is definitely going to bring that back."

Changes from the 1.0 theater version

The transition from the 1.0 theater tour to the 2.0 arena tour of The Monster Ball involved extensive updates across the show’s visuals, fashion, and musical structure. While the arena version was developed under tight preparation time, nearly every element of the production was expanded, re‑edited, or redesigned to match the scale of the new staging.

Visual changes

Jumping Film in the 2

Jumping Film in the 2.0: arena version

Jumping Film in the 1

Jumping Film in the 1.0: theater version

Most interludes and backdrops from the theater version were reused but significantly reworked for the arena production, with updated color palettes, added effects, and revised pacing.

  • Nearly all visuals updated, with the exception of Monster Film and the “Bad Romance” backdrop, which remained unchanged; the Antler Film received only minor text‑overlay additions.
  • Revamped Jumping Film and song backdrops for “Money Honey” and “Monster,” which retained their original themes but were visually re‑edited.
  • Previously unseen footage added, including Gaga eating a bovine heart in the updated Puke Film and different unseen footage for “Boys Boys Boys”; the Puke Film also received a new soundtrack.
  • Interlude replacements introduced, with Twister Film and Apocalyptic Film taking the place of Tank Girl Film and Raven Film.
  • Brand‑new backdrops created for the new songs “Glitter and Grease” and “Vanity,” as well as the returning “Boys Boys Boys.”
  • Color‑scheme changes applied to the backdrops for “Just Dance” and “Teeth”; the new “Alejandro” backdrop was re‑edited from the Raven Film.
  • Several songs returned without backdrops, including “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich,” “The Fame,” “LoveGame,” “So Happy I Could Die,” “Poker Face,” and “Paparazzi.”

Fashion changes

The black bodysuit featured in the two versions.

The black bodysuit featured in the two versions.

All costumes from the theater version were replaced for the arena tour, reflecting the shift to a more narrative‑driven, high‑fashion production.

Setlist changes

While the arena tour introduced a new storyline, staging, and props, the setlist remained largely consistent, though reordered and expanded.

  • Same opening and encore, with “Dance in the Dark” opening the show and “Bad Romance” closing it.
  • Return of “Brown Eyes” since the band version of The Fame Ball, performed during the acoustic segment for the first 48 shows.
  • Tour debut of “Telephone”, along with unreleased songs “Glitter and Grease” and “Vanity” (the latter removed after the 2010 North American leg).
  • Introduction of new material, including “Yoü and I” and later “Born This Way,” added as Gaga worked on the Born This Way album.
  • Songs cut from the 1.0 setlist, including “Paper Gangsta,” “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say),” and previously removed tracks like “Fashion” and “Make Her Say.”

Opening acts

“

We Scissor Sisters are thrilled to be a part of Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour 2011. It’s a perfect opportunity to join forces with a such a kindred spirit

”

—Scissor Sisters

Setlist

Act I — NYC

  1. Jumping Film (Video Introduction)
  2. "Dance in the Dark"
  3. "Glitter and Grease"
  4. "Just Dance"
  5. "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich"
  6. "Vanity" (February 18 to September 16, 2010)
  7. "The Fame"
  8. Puke Film (Video Interlude)

Act II — Subway

  1. "LoveGame"
  2. "Boys Boys Boys"
  3. "Money Honey"
  4. "Telephone"
  5. "Brown Eyes" (February 18, 2010 to July 4, 2010)
  6. "Stand By Me" (May 15, 18, 28, 30, 31, and June 2, 2010)
  7. "Speechless" (2010 shows, February 21 and 22, 2011)
  8. "Born This Way" (Acoustic, added on March 10, 2011)
  9. "Yoü and I" (added on June 28, 2010)
  10. Twister Film (Video Interlude, except March 29, April 5, May 27, August 6, 2010, May 5 and 6, 2011)
  11. "So Happy I Could Die" (except March 29, April 5, May 27, August 6, 2010, May 5 and 6, 2011)

Act III — Central Park

  1. Antler Film (Video Interlude)
  2. "Monster"
  3. "Teeth"
  4. "Alejandro"
  5. Manifesto of Little Monsters (Video Interlude, except March 3, May 10, and May 27 and August 6, 2010)
  6. "Poker Face"

Act IV - Monster Ball

  1. Apocalyptic Film (Video Interlude)
  2. "Paparazzi"

Act V - Encore 1

  1. "Bad Romance"

Act IV - Encore 2

  1. "Born This Way" (2011 shows)
  2. Fan Film (Outro Video, replaced by Judas Film on April 15 to 27, 2011)
Notes

Dates

The Arena version of the Monster Ball Tour started on February 18, 2010 and ended on May 6 of 2011 after 167 shows (not including the White Tie and Tiara Ball).

2010

[A] Special concert

Globe-green Date Location City
Gb Feb 18 MEN Arena Manchester
Ie Feb 20 The O2 (Dublin) Dublin
Feb 21
Gb Feb 22 Odyssey Arena Belfast
Feb 24 Liverpool Echo Arena Liverpool
Feb 26 The O2 (London) London
Feb 27
Mar 1 SECC Glasgow
Mar 3 Cardiff International Arena Cardiff
Mar 4 Metro Radio Arena Newcastle
Mar 5 LG Arena Birmingham
Nz Mar 13 Vector Arena Auckland
Mar 14
Au Mar 17 Sydney Entertainment Centre Sydney, NSW
Mar 18 Sydney Entertainment Centre
Mar 20 Newcastle Entertainment Centre Newcastle, NSW
Mar 23 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, VIC
Mar 24
Mar 26 Brisbane Entertainment Centre Brisbane, QLD
Mar 27
Mar 29 AIS Arena Canberra, ACT
April 1 Burswood Dome Perth, WA
April 3 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide, SA
April 5 WIN Entertainment Centre Wollongong, NSW
April 7 Sydney Entertainment Centre Sydney, NSW
April 9 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, VIC
Jp April 14 World Memorial Hall Kobe
April 15
April 17 Yokohama Arena Yokohama
April 18
Se May 7 Ericsson Globe Stockholm
May 8
De May 10 O2 World Hamburg Hamburg
May 11 O2 World Berlin
Nl May 15 Gelredome XS Arnhem
Be May 17 Sportpaleis Merksem Antwerp
May 18
Fr May 21 Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy Paris
May 22
De May 24 Konig Pilsner Arena Oberhausen
Fr May 25 Zénith Strasbourg
Gb May 27 Trent FM Arena Nottingham Nottingham
May 28 LG Arena Birmingham
May 30 The O2 Arena London
May 31
Jun 2 MEN Arena Manchester
Jun 3
Jun 4 Sheffield Arena Sheffield
Jun 24 The White Tie and Tiara Ball [A] Windsor
Ca Jun 28 Bell Center Montreal, Qc
Us Jul 1 TD Garden Boston, MA
Jul 2
Jul 4 Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, NJ
Jul 6 Madison Square Garden Arena New York, NY
Jul 7
July 9
Ca Jul 11 Air Canada Center Toronto, On
Jul 12
Us Jul 14 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
Jul 15 Conseco Fieldhouse Indianapolis, IN
Jul 17 Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO
July 20 Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK
July 22 American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
July 23
July 25 Toyota Center Houston, TX
July 26
July 28 Pepsi Center Denver, CO
July 31 Airways Center Phoenix, AZ
Aug 3 Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
Aug 6 Lollapalooza Chicago,IL
Aug 11 Staples Center Los Angeles, CA
Aug 12
Aug 13 MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV
Aug 16 HP Pavilion at San Jose San Jose, CA
Aug 17
Aug19 Rose Garden Portland, OR
Aug 21 Tacoma Dome Tacoma, WA
Ca Aug 23 General Motors Place Vancouver, BC
Aug 24
Aug 26 Rexall Place Edmonton AB
Aug 27
Us Aug 30 Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, MN
Aug 31
Sep 2 Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI
Sep 4 The Palace Of Auburn Hills Detroit, MI
Sep 5 Consol Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 7 Verizon Center Washington D.C., MD
Sep 8 John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, VA
Sep 14 Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA
Sep 15
Sep 16 XL Center Hartford, CT
Sep 18 Time Warner Cable Arena Charlotte, NC
Sep 19 RBC Center Raleigh, NC
Fi Oct 13 Hartwall Arena Helsinki
Oct 14
No Octr 16 Oslo Spektrum Oslo
Ocr 17
Dk Oct 20 MCH Multiarena Herning
Ie Oct 26 The O2 (Dublin) Dublin
Oct 27
Oct 29
Oct 30 Odyssey Arena Belfast
Nov 1
Nov 2
Hr Nov 5 Arena Zagreb Zagreb
Hu Nov 7 Budapest Sports Arena Budapest
It Nov 9 PalaOlimpico Turin
At Nov11 Wiener Stadthalle Vienna
Ch Nov 14 Hallenstadion Zürich
Nov 15
Cz} Nov 17 O2 Arena Prague
Se Nov 19 Malmö Arena Malmö
Be Nov 22 Sportpaleis Merksem Antwerp
Nov 23
Pl Nov 26 Ergo Arena Gdańsk
Nl Nov 29 Ahoy Rotterdam
Nov 30
Fr Dec 2 Halle Tony Garnier Lyon
It Dec 4 Mediolanum Forum Milan
Dec 5
Es Dec 7 Palau Sant Jordi Barcelona
Pt Dec 10 Pavilhão Atlântico Lisbon
Es Dec 12 Palacio de Deportes Madrid
Gb Dec 16 The O2 London
Dec 17
Fr Dec 20 Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy Paris
Dec 21

2011

[A] On February 21 and 22, recorded the show for "Lady Gaga Presents The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden" the HBO special and DVD.

Globe-green Date Location City
Us Feb 19 Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, NJ
Feb 21 Madison Square Garden [A] New York, NY
Feb 22
Feb 24 Verizon Center Washington D.C., MD
Feb 26 Consol Energy Center Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 28 United Center Chicago, IL
Mar 1 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, MI
Ca Mar 3 Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
Us Mar 4 HSBC Arena Buffalo, NY
Ca Mar 6 Scotiabank Place Ottawa, ON
Us Mar 8 TD Garden Boston, MA
Mar 10 Jerome Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH
Mar 12 KFC Yum! Center Louisville, KY
Mar 14 American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
Mar 15 AT&T Center San Antonio, TX
Mar 17

Qwest Center Omaha

Omaha, NB
Mar 19 EnergySolutions Arena Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 22 Oracle Arena Oakland, CA
Mar 23 ARCO Arena Sacramento, CA
Mar 25 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV
Mar 26 US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ
Mar 28 Staples Center Los Angeles, CA
Mar 29 Viejas Arena San Diego, CA
Mar 31 Honda Center Anaheim, CA
Apr 4 BOK Center Tulsa, OK
Apr 6 Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX
Apr 8 Toyota Center Houston, TX
Apr 9 New Orleans Arena New Orleans, LA
Apr 12 BankAtlantic Center Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Apr 13 American Airlines Arena Miami, FL
Apr 15 Amway Center Orlando, FL
Apr 16 St. Pete Times Forum Tampa, FL
Apr 18 The Arena at Gwinnett Center Duluth, GA
Apr 19 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN
Apr 22 Prudential Center Newark, NJ
Apr 23 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, NY
Ca Apr 25 Bell Centre Montreal, QC
Us Apr 27 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
Mx May 3 Estadio Tres de Marzo Zapopan, GDL
May 5 Foro Sol Mexico City
May 6

Cancelled & Postponed Shows

  • Postponed: October 22 and 23 at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy to December 19 and 20.
    • December 19 at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy postponed to December 21.

Summary

Cast

For the transcript, see The Monster Ball - Dialogue transcript.
  • Bang Bang — Ameera Perkins (February 8-July 2010)
  • Champagne — Charity Davis (February 8-July 2010)
  • Posh — Posh! The Prince (2010 dates only)
  • Victor — Victor Rojas (2011 dates only)
  • Lady Gaga — Lady Gaga
  • PLACE: She used the name of the country she was in or the city.

Hair and makeup

For this version of The Monster Ball, Gaga used several wigs styled by Frederic Aspiras. On opening night, she wore a wig resembling her 2008 white‑blonde hair before switching, in Act III (Forest), to a blonde wig with yellow highlights. This yellow‑tinted shade, often referred to as “piss blonde”, became closely associated with Gaga throughout the tour and appeared in multiple styles and lengths. The color debuted at her New Year’s Eve performance at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on December 31, 2009, and was later worn at the 52nd Grammy Awards and in the music video for “Telephone”.

For the 2011 shows, Gaga’s hair shifted to a fully yellow (“piss blonde”) tone with brown roots. During the March 2011 dates, she wore a long yellow wig with high‑cut bangs and visible roots, referencing one of her looks from the “Born This Way” music video and the then‑unreleased album photoshoot for Born This Way.

The makeup for the arena version remained close to the look created by Billy B for the theater tour and was executed by Tara Savelo throughout the run. On April 14, 2010, the lip color shifted from red to a pink shade, Viva Glam Gaga 1 by M·A·C Cosmetics, a color that had also debuted at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach performance.

  1. Blonde long straight wig with bangs: (February 18, 2010 until "Monster")
  2. Blonde long curly wig with yellow underneath: (February 18 - April 9; August 19 - August 31, 2010)
  3. Blonde short curly bob wig with yellow underneath: (April 14, 2010 - July 28, 2010; August 3, 2010; September 3 - September 7, 2010)
  4. Yellow long straight wig with bangs and blonde ends: (July 31, 2010; August 3, 2010 (second half of show only))
  5. Blonde long messy wig with choppy bangs and yellow streaks: (August 6, 2010 - August 16, 2010)
  6. Yellow short straight bob wig with bangs and brown roots: (September 8, 2010)
  7. Yellow long straight wig with no bangs (sometimes with curly ends and brown roots): (September 14 - October 30, 2010; March 26 - March 31, 2011)
  8. Yellow long wavy wig with brown roots: (November 1 - December 21, 2010; February 21 - February 26, 2011; April 4 - May 6, 2011)
  9. Yellow long straight wig with high-cut bangs and brown roots: (February 19; February 28 - March 25, 2011)

Act I — New York City

Jumping Film

Jumping Film, also known as the Introduction Film, opened and was projected onto a white curtain at the front of the stage. The soundtrack featured a remixed extended intro of "Dance in the Dark", beginning with the “D-D-D-D” vocal sample layered over stripped-down beats. This built into a remix of “Finally 2008” by Denzal Park (Kam Denny & Paul Zala), which faded out approximately 10–20 seconds before the first verse of “Dance in the Dark” (“Silicone, saline…”).

The film begins with a light grey grid slowly pulsing in and out, followed by a rapid montage of numbers in various fonts and sequences. Gaga then appears at the center of the screen, performing a slow-motion 360-degree jump. Another burst of random numbers follows before her image is gradually replaced by a skull draped in white fabric. The next scene features Gaga being slapped in slow motion by Anna Trevelyan, a moment previously used in the Tank Girl Film from the theater version of The Monster Ball. Gaga is then shown squatting while spraying hairspray into her hair, followed by a standing pose where the hairspray fumes are digitally replaced with flames. As this scene plays, the second curtain begins to rise, slowly revealing the stage. The film concludes with a countdown from 10 to 1, leading directly into the live performance of “Dance in the Dark.”

Lady Gaga wears a top as jacket by Marko Mitanovski and boots by Rupert Sanderson for Karl Lagerfeld.

"Dance in the Dark"

After the film’s countdown and the second curtain rose, comes a violet light shining at a structure revealing Gaga’s silhouette on top of the structure made to look like a building with a fire escape ladder behind the curtain with a neon rectangle with 176 (her old New York City apartment number) inside of it while she performed "Dance in the Dark". On the first few dates, the light used to make the silhouette was blue. The ladder was decorated with upside-down syringes with a red liquid inside of it.

For the first few lines of the song, Gaga stayed still and only did some movements on select cues. Once the main curtain was removed and the chorus reached, the New York cityscape and neon lights (one reads "Sexy ugly" and the other "Liquor") were revealed. Gaga gyrated on the set dressed while her friends (Posh/Victor, Peppah, Bang Bang) were getting ready to go to the Monster Ball:

[Before the "Marilyn, Judy, Sylvia" verse]
Posh: Girls? Are ya'll getting ready? Peppah?
Peppah: Yes, Posh I'm getting ready? Hey Bang Bang, are you getting ready?
Bang Bang: Of Course I'm getting ready. Hey Champagne, you getting ready girl?
Peppah: I'm already ready, baby.
Posh: Well, let's get it honey!

Aditional notes:

  • Starting from February 22, 2011 onwards, Gaga cut the second verse in the song.
  • On the opening night of the arena version, Gaga was surrounded by a blue light, instead of a violet light.
  • Also on the opening night and one of the later shows, the curtain rose as soon as the song started.
Lady Gaga — Jacket by Muto-Little Costumes x Haus of Gaga, boots by Ellie, shades by Armani Privé, and gloves by Gaspar Gloves (all dates except Feb 18, 2010 for the gloves and boots)
Dancers — Masks by Tom Talmon Studio, outfits with leather skirt by Haus of Gaga (for Asiel, Michael and Ian)

"Glitter and Grease"

After "Dance in the Dark", her car (Nadine, the green Rolls-Royce) breaks down, causing Posh, Peppah, and Bang Bang to become frantic before Gaga tells them that she will take them to the Monster Ball:

Posh: Ohh No!
Bang Bang: Posh are we breaking down?
Posh: Uopp! Just give me a second.
Bang Bang: Where's Gaga anyways ? and where's my lipstick?
Posh: Shut up!
Peppah: Now we're never gonna make it to the Monster Ball!!
Gaga: Yes you will... I'll take you there!
["Glitter and Grease" begins]

The backdrop is drops of water falling down. The song is the only unreleased song performed at the revamped Monster Ball Tour. For this particular song, the studio track is used with Gaga and the backup singers singing alongside it while the live band played over it. The scripted part had Posh even if Victor replaced him as it was a pre-recorded segment.

Lady Gaga — Black lightning bolt bodysuit by Muto-Little Costumes x Haus of Gaga (only on February 18)

"Just Dance"

“ Growing up in NYC I fell in love with a boy in a watermelon green El Camino "Nadine." We recreated a fantasy version of this car, a car that inspired all the music I wrote on "The Fame." As a moment of symbolism I decided to turn this car into an instrument: a piano. So when "Nadine" breaks down on the way to the Monster Ball, I open her hood to play Just Dance and she starts back up again. ”

—Lady Gaga, iTunes Ping (2010)

[Near the end of "Just Dance"]
Gaga: "Alright, Jesus, let's show PLACE how do we play guitar in New York city."
Gaga: PLACE
Gaga: Now Jump PLACE

After "Glitter and Grease", the dancers left the stage, leaving Gaga alone. She usually stayed in place for a couple of seconds, leaving the crowd chanting her name before she dropped her jacket, opened the hood of Nadine, revealing a Yamaha keyboard. She then started to play a new introduction on the piano leading to the start of "Just Dance". After a few shows, the dancers added inscription and cut parts on their vest.

The backdrop was a reimagined visual from the Monster Ball: Theater, featuring kaleidoscopic footage of Lady Gaga in an Alexander McQueen gown. This updated version introduced a richer palette, notably incorporating deeper hues such as crimson, enhancing the surreal atmosphere.

Lady Gaga — [A] Bodysuit by Muto-Little Costumes x Haus of Gaga (February 18, 2010), [B] Bodysuit by Armani Privé (February 19-April 5, April 9, April 15, 2010), [C] Leopard 50’s cup body by Atsuko Kudo (April 7, April 14, April 17, 2010-May 6, 2011)
Dancers — Shorts by Haus of Gaga with a vest by Jaiden rVa James (All dates)

"Beautiful, Dirty, Rich"

[About 1 minute into the song]
Gaga: Now get your pockets out and shoot that money 'cause you don't need it. PLACE

The show continued straight to "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" while Ian McKenzie (or another dancer) added a crystal hat on Gaga at the beginning of the song. During the second verse, Gaga climbed up on the structure of the stage as she removes the hat. The song ends shortly after the bridge.

Lady Gaga — Crystal hat by Philip Treacy for Armani Privé (all dates) with a crystal purple jacket by Armani Privé (only on February 18)

The Glitter Way / "Vanity"

After the song, the storyline of the Monster Ball continued with Posh (or Victor) asking Gaga what the Monster Ball exactly is, the dialogue for the Glitter Way segment went as follow:

Posh/Victor: So... Gaga, what's The Monster Ball really all about?
Gaga: Well Posh [or Victor]... The Monster Ball will set you free!!
Posh/Victor: Do you mean... I could be who ever... what ever... that I want to be free?
Gaga: Yeah Posh, tonight at The Monster Ball, were gonna be super free.

[Pause]

Gaga: And the best thing about The Monster Ball is that I created it so my fans have a place to go. A place where all the freaks are outside and I lock the fucking doors. It don't matter who you are, where you come from, or how much money you got in your pocket because tonight and every other after night you could be who ever is that you want to be. And to get to The Monster Ball all you got to do is follow The Glitter Way.

As Gaga said her line "all you got to do is follow the Glitter Way", the catwalk lights came up. On February 18 to September 16, 2010, the following part was "Vanity" [A]. There was no backdrop during this song, but the screen splits, and horizontal lights are used to illuminate the stage.

[Vanity begins]
Gaga: I wrote this song about four years ago when I was living in New York with Posh. This record is called Vanity.

On the rest of the tour [B], a backdrop of sparkles was shown as the outro of the remix of "Dance in the Dark" from the BRIT Awards 2010 play and Gaga grabs her outfit for the next song.

"The Fame"

“ Underneath my old NYC apt at "176" I arise from the basement to sing about my dream of "The Fame." To tell the story I designed and engineered "Emma" a hybrid electric bass, keytar, and drum machine that echoes "I'm a free bitch." ”

—Lady Gaga, iTunes Ping (2010)

Gaga: Do you love me? Well I love you PLACE! So come on! Take my picture I wanna be a PLACE star.

["The Fame" begins]

[In between the chorus]

Lady Gaga: You don't need money or plastic surgery to be a star PLACE.

Later Gaga disappears and then returns in a red cape with extended shoulder pads with her instrument Emma and performs "The Fame". She usually played with Emma and ended the song in the stairway with the upside-down syringes with a red liquid inside of it There is no backdrop during this song.

Lady Gaga — Red cape with shoulder pads by Haus of Gaga (All dates)

Puke Film

Puke Film, also known as Puke on Gaga, is a video interlude projected onto a white curtain at the front of the stage, allowing the crew to prepare props for Act II behind it. The film originated in the theater version of the tour and returned with a new edit set to a two-minute remix of "Dance in the Dark" by Jeppe Laursen.

The film opens with Gaga standing on a white cube, wearing a pleated white dress as wind blows dramatically mainly on her dress [A]. The bottom half of the screen is then flipped, inverting her feet. In the next scene, Gaga sits on a white block while performance artist Millie Brown vomits bright green liquid, digitally enhanced with sparkles, onto her. The scene is tightly edited to match the song’s rhythm and includes several moments of Millie puking on Gaga.

Although filmed later, the next scene appears earlier in the edit: a close-up of Gaga covered in white powder, eating a bovine heart while crying blood tears [B]. This previously unreleased footage was shot in November 2009 and conceived by Nick Knight as a symbolic confrontation of Gaga’s fear surrounding her father’s heart surgery.

The final scene, filmed earlier but shown last, features Gaga in the now-stained white dress, referencing a 2002 SHOWstudio project in which Alexander McQueen transformed a groom’s outfit into a bridal gown[1]. Creative director Dada is seen altering Gaga’s dress and applying various accessories, including heavy talc powder.

This version of the film featuring those three scenes was released by SHOWstudio on YouTube on October 11, 2011. From July 6, 2010 until the tour’s end on May 6, 2011, a final edit was shown that removed the Dada scene and added two new segments. While not officially confirmed, the timing of this new edit coincides with Dada’s departure from the Haus of Gaga, suggesting the change may have been related. The updated version included a new heart scene and footage from the theater version’s Tattoo Film [E]. One added scene shows Gaga in a long white dress, holding the bovine heart as blood drips from her mouth in a continuous loop [C].

[A] Pleated skirt by Marko Mitanovski. [E] Skeleton headpiece and armpiece by Gary Card.

Act II — NYC Subway

"LoveGame"

“ This moment of the show is one of my favorites, my vision and fantasy of New York, a glass-slipper subway, and the true fairytale of my life: a catholic school girl on the run to discover herself, and on the way she finds the Monster Ball. ”

—Lady Gaga, iTunes Ping (2010)

(2010)

Josh Olins (2010)

The song's arrangement consists of a reworked intro from the MuchMuch Music Awards 2009 with the ending from the band leg of The Fame Ball Tour. The stage is black and the following pre-recorded segment is played:

[Subway noises]
Operator: Welcome aboard the Gaga Express!
Watch your step!
Next stop, "Glitter Way".
[Blue lights on the subway while music was played: snippet of "Just Dance" and "Poker Face"]
Operator: Emergency, Emergency there's something in the tracks!

At the end of the operator emergency message, Gaga emerged from the subway standing on the opened door. Confusion on her face until drums and snaps sounds are played. This part was a reworked version of the introduction music used on her 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards performance. Gaga and her dancers gyrate on the subway as she sings the first verse and chorus coming out of the subway and performing the choreography of the song. Then Gaga returns to the subway to take off the Nun hat and comes back to dance to the choreography from the final chorus for the second chorus. During the bridge, one of the dancers hand her the Disco Stick / Disco Torch as Gaga and her dancers travel to the runway. After the final chorus, Gaga switches the Disco Torch's glitter strobe switch as the song quickly transitions fades to the shortened version of the Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix of "LoveGame" featuring Marilyn Manson's vocals. During that buildup, Gaga's says:

Okay... I don't know if you've heard, but I have a pretty tremendous dick. So come on! Get your dicks out. Because I heard, they have some pretty big cocks here in PLACE! Welcome to The Monster Ball... NOW DANCE YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!

During the drop of the Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix, Gaga then dances with the Disco Stick / Torch and catwalks back to the main stage. There is no backdrop during this song, but the subway is present at the back of the stage.

On the windows of the train: 42nd St / Glitter Way / Monster Ball.

Lady Gaga — Nun headdress by Haus of Gaga, dress by Rachael Barrett, boots by Pleaser (all dates),, Disco Stick by Tom Talmon Studio x Haus of Gaga (Feb 18-24, 2010 [A]), Disco Torch Tom Talmon Studio x Haus of Gaga (Feb 26, 2010 to May 6, 2011 [B]), bloody skeleton hand by Gary Card (May 7, 2010 to May 6, 2011 [C])
Dancers — Outfits by Haus of Gaga, masks by Gary Card

"Boys Boys Boys"

After ending "LoveGame", Gaga turns off the glitter strobe feature of the Disco Torch and turns the main light back on as it shines on her dress. She then introduces herself and welcomes the audience to the show. Gaga makes a speech about her journey as an artist and that everyone's a superstar. Shortly after that, she shines the Disco Torch onto the audience to see what they were wearing and what props or signs they brought to the show. She then says this:

“ Uh no, I don't know what I'm going to do. You see I told my friends about The Monster Ball. I told them that The Monster Ball will set them free. So we got into the car but my car broke down. So I took them to the subway which always gets me where I need to go. But the Subway has left us in a strange place. And I just have no fucking clue where we are. Do you think I should ask my friends for some help? You know my deepest and most loyal friends? You know all my PLACE gay kids!

["Boys Boys Boys" begin]

This is for boys and girls! Celebrate your gay pride!

”

—Lady Gaga

Affterwards, Posh or a dancer brings the Disco Torch off stage as Gaga performs "Boys Boys Boys". The screen also splits and horizontal lights are used on the back of the stage. Used footage from the first Apocalyptic Film including the part where Gaga is nude inside the gun. Half way through the second chorus, Gaga exits the stage to change into her outfit for "Money Honey". The back-up singers sing the rest of the song and the bridge is played with pre-recorded vocals.

Lady Gaga — Bodysuit by Zaldy ([A] Feb 18, 2010 for Boys Boys Boys only)

"Money Honey"

Gaga is risen to the stage and tells the audience that the thing she hates most is money and then goes into "Money Honey". For he 2011 dates, Gaga did a 1 minute keytar intro minute and performed the first verse and chorus of "Money Honey" afterwards.

The backdrop was a black and white reworked version of the footage used as backdrop during the Egypt Act of the theater version of the Monster Ball.

Lady Gaga — [A] Suit by Haus of Gaga  (Feb 18, 2010 only), [B] Metallic coat by Armani Privé, horns by Alex Noble (Feb 20-24, 2010), [C] Vinyl coat and sunglasses by Armani Privé (Feb 26, 2010 to May 6, 2011), shoes straps by Keko Hainswheeler (Feb 26, 2010 only [D]), shoes by Ellie

"Telephone"

Lady Gaga then walks down to the end of the runway were she interacts with the audience and she recalls when she was in jail and her friend Beyoncé bailed her out, Lady Gaga takes off the trench coat and also hands her glasses to the dancers who take them off stage. Usually, before performing Telephone, the audience throws T-shirts, toys, and gifts at on the stage for Gaga to interact with. In some shows, some people in the audience throw Barbie Dolls on stage and Gaga would destroy them. Also on shows in North America, Gaga would use the time to call a lucky fan called "the Virgin Call segment". She explains that the call will donate $20,000 to the Regeneration Campaign. On some shows (especially after the Virgin Call segment), her cell phone or the Virgin Call phone would ring and she would answer it and it would be Beyoncé. She would then say that Beyoncé always interrupts her shows, followed by her performing Telephone. Beyoncé's parts of the song are played with pre-recorded vocals.

There is no backdrop during this song, but the screen splits, and horizontal lights are used to illuminate the stage. In later shows, the white curtain shows live footage of Gaga performing the song.

[A] Outfit by Haus of Gaga (Feb 18, 2010 only),
[B] Studded latex bra and brief by Haus of Gaga (Feb 20-Feb 24, 2010),
[D] Latex bra and brief by Atsuko Kudo (Feb 26, 2010 to May 6, 2011)
[C] Disco bra by Lady Gaga x Justin Tranter, brief by Atsuko Kudo (Lollapalooza 2010 only),
Dancers — Outfits by Keko Hainswheeler

"Brown Eyes" / "Speechless" / "Stand By Me" / "Living on the Radio" / "Yoü and I" / "Born This Way" (acoustic) / "Americano"

The Burning Piano by Vision Scenery is then brought in and Gaga goes into the song "Brown Eyes", which was removed from the setlist in early July 2010.

"Speechless", was only performed in 2010 and on February 21 and 22, 2011, is performed afterwards. On 2010 shows she would sing the full song and the band would join in at the second verse. On 2011 shows, Gaga performs a shortened version of the song, removing the second verse and chorus, with a much slower tempo and the band did not join in. During this song, she tells her audience the Monster Claw Story, her life as a teen in New York, and how she became who she is today. 

Starting on June 28, 2010, Gaga performs "You And I" either after "Brown Eyes" or "Speechless". On selected dates, Gaga performed "Stand By Me" and did "Living On The Radio" on August 30, 2010.

Starting on March 10, 2011, Gaga performs an acoustic version of "Born This Way". On the final two shows in Mexico, Gaga performed an acoustic version of "Americano".

[A] Bodysuit from the theater version by Zaldy (Feb 18, 2010 only)

Twister Film

On some setlist, the film was labeled as "Jump Film/Tornado".

Gaga and her friends then continue down the Glitter Way, and soon they run into an angel, who plays a tune that summons a twister, taking them closer to the Monster Ball, but landing them in a strange place that they don't know. Gaga and her friends are struck by a twister which leads to the transition from the Subway (Act II) to the Forest (Act III). The whole interlude has a strong "Wizard of Oz" inspiration. Transcription of the dialogue can be found here.

The Twister Film was played after "Yoü and I" (previously "Speechless"), and before "So Happy I Could Die", which gave Gaga the time to change into the original outfit or the Living Dress. This interlude is displayed on the two rows of cylindrical screens from the catwalk after being lowered onstage. Gaga is then dressed into the Living Dress while inside of the cylindrical screens. During the first four shows, the video screens would rise as soon as Gaga was finished changing, not after the video ended.

Lady Gaga wears a top as jacket by Marko Mitanovski and boots by Rupert Sanderson for Karl Lagerfeld.

"So Happy I Could Die"

After the interlude, the screens come up as the lights come back on as the band plays an extended synthesized intro and Gaga stands idle on stage now wearing the Living Dress while the dancers pose while carrying Gaga's previous costume on their hands and the harpist Rashida Jolley also stands idle. Parts of the dress opens up to reveal Gaga's face and the hem and train of the dress opens to reveal her legs and the headdress folds and unfolds like an accordion or a fan. After which, Gaga says:

"Oh PLACE, You make me...So Happy I Could Die"

The song plays as the harpist plays the opening melody while the dancers glide and prance out of the stage leaving Gaga alone to sing the song. During the second verse, Gaga pulls up the wings of the dress and the giant stage lift rises high up above the stage near the cylindrical stage to stimulate Gaga flying out of the Twister and looking out at the audience. During the 2011 shows, Gaga pulls up the wings during the bridge interlude of the song. During the final chorus, Gaga walks back to the main stage until the song ends. After that, the main curtain rises up and Gaga says that the Twister brought her to the deepest and darkest part of Central Park as she walks to the backstage with the dress on.

There is no backdrop during this song, but live footage while Gaga is singing is shown in the projector screen. During 2011 shows, Gaga performs a shortened version of the song that removes the second verse and starting from February 28 2011, the lights turn off and curtains fall back down as soon as Gaga finishes her monologue.

  1. Lady Gaga wears a custom dress by Prada. (February 18-22, 2010)
  2. Lady Gaga wears the Living dress by Creature Shop x Vinilla Burnham & team x Haus of Gaga, and custom platform boots by Armani Privé. (February 24, 2010 - February 24, 2011)

Paws Up Film

"The twister has left us in a very strange place... in a deep, dark, and evil place... a forest... in the deepest and darkest part of Central Park. "

—Gaga pre-written speech before the interlude.

Then the Paws Up Film is played, featuring Gaga with antlers dancing and playing with translucent strings. The music is a remix of "Fancy Footwork" by Chromeo with vocals sample from "Shook One Pt. II" of Mobb Deep with new recorded vocals by Gaga saying "Put your paws up" at the beginning and the end of the interlude. This particular film was used on the Theater Version (called the Antler Film) minus the "Put your paws up" vocals and written. On stage, spine like trees appear on stage.

On the opening night, The interlude was played on the white curtain. For most shows until February 28 2011, The interlude was played on the screens behind the structures of the stage as Gaga walks backstage for a quick change. Starting from February 28 2011, Gaga and the team decided to revert to playing the interlude on the white curtain.

[A] Jumpsuit, belt, boots and neck brace by Alexander McQueen, and custom cap by David Samuel Menkes. [B] Bra and corset by Atsuko Kudo, boots and neck brace by Alexander McQueen, and headpiece by Nina Butkovich-Budden for Marko Mitanovski.

Act III — Forest (Central Park)

"Monster"

Synth player Brockett Parsons plays a synthesized introduction to "Monster" until Gaga comes back to say the opening lines. During the bridge, Gaga gets lowered down to the stage lift while the dancers pretend to eat her. During final chorus, jumps out of the stage lift drenched in blood. The original backdrop for this song during the first Monster Ball Tour is used, but instead of using a red background color, it uses a purple background color.

  1. Hair monster outfit by Charlie le Mindu (February 18 - December 21, 2010)
  2. Sacred Heart Chimera by Alex Noble (February 18 - December 21, 2010) (Worn under costume [1])
  3. Black feather outfit by Zaldy Goco x Miguel Villalobos (February 19 - May 6, 2011)
  4. Custom black bra by Haus of Gaga, brief by Atsuko Kudo and tights by Capezio (February 19 - May 16, 2011) (Worn under costume [3])
Dancers — Outfits by Alex Noble

Additional Note: The choreography was later used 11 years later for the Chromatica Ball with the final chorus improvised.

"Teeth"

Gaga then states that the thing she hates more than money is the truth. ("Teeth") and that she prefers a giant dose of bullshit than the truth. She then performs an extended version of "Teeth" where she compares herself to Tinkerbell where she will die if the audience doesn't clap and cheer for her. After that, she introduces her band at the end.

The backdrop features a wet wolf shaking off water from his fur. The visual colors were inverted with the black being replaced by magenta and the wolf being white.

Lady Gaga — Textured bodysuit by Zaldy (Feb 18 to Aug 17, 2010) (from the Theater tour), glossy bodysuit by Zaldy (August 19 - Dec 22, 2010), custom bra by Haus of Gaga, brief by Atsuko Kudo and tights by Capezio (Feb 19 - May 6, 2011)
Dancers — Outfits by Alex Noble and Keko Hainswheeler

"Alejandro"

Gaga and her friends then find the Eternal Fountain, the only fountain that bleeds for you. The fountain was inspired by the Bethesda Foutain found in New York City's Central Park. Two park benches are also featured on each side of the statue.

Gaga then goes into "Alejandro" while she jumps into the fountain and sings as more fake blood pours over her. At some point, the fountain shoots out fire. After the song ends, Gaga then walks out of the stage for a costume change as two dancers share a kiss on stage.

This backdrop is a sea-green colored edit of the colorred-red Raven Film from the Theater Version.

Manifesto of Little Monsters

The main curtain falls down as the interlude plays featuring footage of Lady Gaga wearing various outfits with a synthesizer and a sub bass playing in background while she reads a slightly modified version of the Manifesto of Little Monsters featured in the Book of Gaga. This is the same interlude that was shown in the Theater Version as well.

Recorded vocals

This is the Manifesto of Little Monsters.

There's something heroic about the way my fans operate their cameras. So precisely, so intricately, and so proudly. Like Kings writing the history of their people. It's their prolific nature that both creates and procures what will later be perceived as "The Kingdom." So, the real truth about Lady Gaga fans, my little monsters, lies in this sentiment: They are the kings. They are the queens. They write the history of the kingdom, and I am something of a devoted Jester.

It is in the theory of perception that we have established our bond. Or, the lie, I should say, for which we kill. We are nothing without our image. Without our projection. Without the spiritual hologram of who we perceive ourselves to be, or rather, to become, in the future.

When you're lonely,
I'll be lonely too.
And this is The Fame.

Love and art,
12/18/1974
Lady Gaga

  1. Bolero jacket by Marko Mitanovski and mask by NOKI.
  2. Mask by Patrick Ian Hartley.
  3. Coat by Charlie le Mindu and mask by Jaiden rVa James.
  4. Vest by Pam Hogg, and unknown choker and mask.
  5. Sunglasses by Alpina, metal shoulder/mouth piece by unknown.
  6. Custom mask by NOKI.
  7. Top by Jakob Schlaepfer x Alexander McQueen, mask by unknown, sunglasses by Alpina.

"Poker Face"

Shortly after The Monster Film, the stage turned dark but eventually joined by a single red light as violinist Judy Kang plays an extended solo on the violin. After that, Gaga then returns and sings "Poker Face" in a catsuit and a headscarf referencing her old look from 2008. There is no backdrop during this song, but live footage while Gaga is singing is shown in the projector screen. If she had a show without a runway she uses the old backdrop. Since February 28, 2011, Gaga only wore the previous outfit but added the vest and headscarf.

On May 10, 2010, Gaga kept her textured bodysuit by Zaldy but wore the cuffs and brief. The boydsuit by SOMARTA returned the following day on May 11, 2010. Starting on February 28 until the end of the tour on May 6, 2011, Gaga stopped wearing a different outfit for the song. She kept the outfit from "Teeth" / "Alejandro" instead.

  1. Leopard outfit by Muto-Little Costumes (February 18 - April 9, 2010)
  2. Second Skin lace bodysuit by SOMARTA, leather underwear by Dog, cuffs by Odradek (April 14, 2010-February 26, 2011)
  3. Bra by Jean Paul Gaultier, brief by Atsuko Kudo and tights by Capezio (February 28, 2011 - May 6, 2011)
Dancers — Outfits by Haus of Gaga

Apocalyptic Film

The Apocalyptic Film opens with a close-up of Gaga smoking, which fades into a duplicated stream of smoke, a visual originally used as the backdrop for "Paper Gangsta" during the theater version of the tour. Prior to June 2, 2010, the film also included footage from the original "Paparazzi" star backdrop before transitioning into the city scene. The central portion of the film depicts a city rising or being constructed, intercut with multiple mirrored shots of Gaga wearing only a gun-shaped helmet, briefs, and high heels, standing and surveying her surroundings. The film concludes with more footage of Gaga smoking, layered with distortion effects. The soundtrack is a shortened instrumental version of "Girls" (2008) by Swedish producer Style of Eye. The final version of the film was posted by SHOWstudio on October 7, 2011.

Originally, a different montage of the film was shown on opening night of the theater version of The Monster Ball, though it held the same position in the setlist — between "Poker Face" and "Paparazzi". In the original storyline of the tour, this interlude was intended to symbolize the rise of cities as a metaphor for human evolution and transformation.

Act IV — The Monster Ball

"Paparazzi"

Gaga and her friends find themselves in a dark place. After approaching the stage, one by one, Gaga's friends concluded that she has gone too far and runs off, leaving her alone to deal with The Fame Monster, a giant angler fish (controlled by the dancers) as she sings "Paparazzi". During the second verse, one of the tentacles controlled by the dancers grabs Gaga as her Origami dress comes off revealing a green corset underneath. During the second chorus, the tentacles wrapped Gaga as the fish tries to eat her as she was lowered down by the stage lift. During the final chorus, Gaga rises from the stage lift and eventually kills the fish by using her Pyro-Bra and Pyro-Underwear. There is no backdrop during this song, but the Angler Fish is present at the back of the stage.

Lady Gaga — Green origami dress by Haus of Gaga, bodysuit by Zaldy, pyro-underwear by Haus of Gaga x Tom Talmon Studio
Dancers — Angler Fish by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, it had no lights on February 18 & 20, 2010.

Additional Note:

  • The photograph used for the cover of Lady Gaga Presents: The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden was taken during the song.
  • On September 16, 2010, The performance was improvised because of the absence of the Angler Fish. The performance ended up using three dancers acting as "Fame Monsters" eating Gaga, similar to the performance of "Monster". The ending consists of the dancers running away upon sight of Gaga and the Pyro Bra and Panty.
  • Starting from the Madison Square Garden stop and the HBO Special, There were growling and snarling sounds coming out of the Angler Fish during the intro of "Paparazzi".

"Bad Romance"

A 2 minute intermission played by the band commences as the white curtain projects live footage of the audience by the stage cameras. Shortly after that, The curtain comes up, the stage lights turn red as Gaga sings an acapella of the intro of Bad Romance while standing inside of the Orbit. As Bad Romance starts to play, Gaga asks her fans if The Monster Ball is the best party on the planet, and tells them to dance. The backdrop are mostly black-and-white kaleidoscopes while some hands are shown in black-and-white too. After the song, and just like the theater version of the tour, The band plays an outro of the song as Gaga and her dancers walk out of the stage. During the 2011 shows, Gaga would say that she'll just perform one more song as the band plays the outro of Bad Romance and the Orbit is pulled out of the stage replaced by a new version of the Boudoir Organ from the 2011 Grammy Awards Ceremony without the long transparent pipes that were used in the latter.

Lady Gaga
  • [A] Bodysuit by Armani Privé (Feb 18, 2010 only),
  • [B] Top and pants by Rachael Barrett, bodysuit by Zaldy ([B1] green on Feb 21, [B2] white on Feb 20, 22-24), lobster headpiece by Philip Treacy (Feb 20—24, 2010),
  • [C] Mirror helmet with sunglasses, mini dress, single cuff and ankle boots by Armani Privé (Feb 26—May 6, 2011)
Dancers — Helmets and armors by Alun Davies, outfits by Haus of Gaga

"Born This Way"

The performance was just like the 2011 Grammy Awards performance, except Gaga did not emerge from the egg vessel. However, the intro was improvised by Gaga and the dancers coming out from the back or the side of the stage. During the bridge, Gaga plays the intro of Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565” by Johann Sebastian Bach on the Boudoir Organ. However, because of the absence of the long transparent pipes, the Organ's preset is that of a Church Organ than of a Jazz Organ. After the song, Gaga and her dancers bow and hug each other as the curtain falls down.

  • During the April 15, 2011 show, Gaga debuted the Born This Way album artwork.
Lady Gaga — Nude latex & shoes by MUGLER
Dancers — Nude latex by MUGLER, sandal by Unknown
Boudoir Organ - ATELIER

"Judas"

Judas was performed only in the last two shows of the tour. In this song, Gaga dons a black leather jacket with the Born This Way logo similar to the one from her denim jacket. She performs the first verse and chorus on the main stage while the rest were on the runway. After that, Gaga and her dancers take their final bow and hug as the curtain falls down.

Fan Film

At the very end of the show, the Fan Film is shown on the screen.

The Fan Film was replaced on Apr 23 with "Judas" being played with the artwork on the main screen.

  1. ↑ "The Bridegroom Stripped Bare: Transformer"
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