Friday marked a triumphant opening for Lady Gaga’s much-anticipated The MAYHEM Ball Tour, as the 14-time Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy-winning artist kicked off her spectacular sold-out live showcase at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The opening night was a compelling blend of her latest works and beloved hits, offering fans a dynamic journey through her career. Set highlights encompassed tracks like Abracadabra, Killah, Vanish Into You, and How Bad Do You Want Me, interwoven with crowd favourites such as Just Dance, Judas, Born This Way, Shallow, and Die With a Smile. The latter, a collaboration with Bruno Mars, not only whipped up the crowd, but also broke multiple streaming records.
Produced by Gaga and Michael Polansky via their company Morningview, The MAYHEM Ball represents a heightened evolution of the visual and thematic universe Gaga debuted at Coachella and has refined throughout her festival circuit appearances. Continuing her collaboration with renowned choreographer Parris Goebel, Gaga enlisted creative director Ben Dalgleish of Human Person to orchestrate the compelling production. The show also dazzled with new costumes crafted by stylist Hunter Clem and Gaga’s sister, Natali Germanotta, under her fashion house Topo Studio, adding a personalised touch to the visual spectacle.
Critical acclaim poured in from industry reviewers. Rolling Stone praised Gaga’s ‘creative evolution’, stating she ‘didn’t just revisit her Coachella appearance—she expanded, sharpened, and infused it with nostalgia, fully realised as a gothic dream.’ Variety called the show a ‘breathless, finely-tuned spectacular’, while Billboard hailed it as ‘a theatrical, electric and delicious live affair’, highlighting the electrifying renditions of both new and classic hits. USA Today commended Gaga’s vocal prowess and impeccable choreography, emphasising her ‘chameleonic intensity’ and commanding stage presence.
Looking ahead, Gaga’s tour will travel to Europe, the UK, Australia, and Japan, extending into early 2026.
