Praise the Nurtec gods, the Chromatica Ball is finally available to stream on HBO Max. As a fan of Lady Gaga, it’s been a tumultuous four years since the release of her last studio album, Chromatica (2020). 2020 was a challenging year for many obvious reasons, and as a result, The GAGA BALL: Chromatica was pushed back two years.
Due to my financial instability and nightmare summer camp job, I couldn’t attend in 2022. As gays flocked to Jersey to see her, all I could think about was the Summer 2020. It was a time when the album offered a much-enjoyed escape to dance in my bedroom, daydreaming of hearing a Gaga tune the next time I made out with a drunk stranger.
I am glad to finally be able to experience this tour and bring the last four years of waiting to a close. (Waiting for the concert, that is. I’ve done plenty of the latter bit.)
Here are my initial reactions and takeaways from this concert film.
- THE GAGA BALL
Why would she open this tour with “Bad Romance?” It was a bit of a shock, given that the reason I wanted to see the tour is because I adored the album it was supposed to be promoting. For the past two years I have called this tour “The Chromatica Ball Tour.” Rather, the official name is “Lady Gaga: Chromatica Ball.”
Ultimately, they should have titled it THE GAGA BALL (sponsored by Chromatica)
Chromatica (2020) is not the focus here, Gaga (2022) is. With an open mind, I tried to liken this absence of the album to her old work. Since she’s starting out with so many The Fame/Monster era hits, perhaps she is calling back to her early stages, when product placement played a large role in her music videos. After all, she was the product placement darling. Triumph Motorcycle, Beats by Dre, Virgin Mobile, even MiracleWhip had a place in her canon.
Is it perhaps now that because of her success, the only brand she needs to remain loyal to is herself? Is this a self-referential act? Telling the audience that they are here to see Gaga, not Chromatica. The latter just happened to be the one to fund the party.
Of course, this theory doesn’t hold when we remember that she actually Does have a brand of her own. Haus Labs anyone? I found it somewhat surprising that she didn’t promote her beauty line here.
So in conclusion, is this a callback in the name of the Gaga Ball? No, I just think she hates this album.
2. Harley Queen
After revisiting my notes, I was shocked at how many times I wrote down the words Harley Queen. Partially because it took me a good few minutes to realize her name is Harley Quinn, but mostly because a good portion of this concert feels like a promo for Joker 2 (2024).
Many of the outfits and lighting designs in this concert certainly allude to Harley Quinn, but what most shocked me was her performance. At one point, she voices a RuPaul-level cackle around the 15 minute mark that can only be a piece of the character coming through.
Consider her theatrics, her hair, the creepy and cartoony aesthetics- is this not a Harley Quinn tease? The theory especially holds when you consider that the announcement of her role came shortly after the conclusion of the tour’s run.
Harley Queen is coming. With the amount of times she shouts it in concert, I wouldn’t be surprised if Gaga breaks the fourth wall in Joker 2 and tells the theater to put their paws up or “make some noise”. And you know what? I would.
3. Nurtec Can Only Go So Far…
I say this with love, but Gaga looks tired. She didn’t dance as much as I expected her to, which was once a major hallmark of her career. Gaga spends a good amount of time twirling inside of a robotic pod or laying flat on a board when she’s not sat at the piano. In the beginning, she is enclosed, one might even say trapped in it, until she is set free. Regardless, the visual effect briefly gives the illusion that she is part of the chorus.
When she joins them, however, the facade breaks and I can see on her face that she’s exhausted. Of course this is to be expected when you’re singing and dancing your heart out, but I almost feel guilty watching her.
I also hear it in her voice. She’s working very hard to sing every syllable, but I don’t really need to hear her pop every single P in P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P-Poker Face to know she can sing. If anything, I’d love to hear her surrender to the track and ad-lib. Perhaps with a dance break underneath? If it’s truly the GAGA BALL, I wouldn’t mind seeing accomplished dancers take the stage while Gaga freestyle sings in the corner.
This isn’t meant to be a diss, she just looks tense. Sometimes the film feels like she’s out to prove herself again when we already know what she’s capable of.
Lady Gaga has been very open about her fibromyalgia and the fact that it hurts to dance as much as she used to. As a fan, it hurts me to watch her subject herself through this. I’m just not convinced she’s having fun. She even sings it in the concert, “I’m not having fun tonight!”
Ultimately, Nurtec can only go so far. I would like to take this moment to apologize to Gaga if it seems I am not absolutely thrilled and grateful for this film. I am! I just struggle to wonder how much she is enjoying herself. She’s constantly asking the audience to get loud for her. Is this a reflection of the audience not giving her much to work with? Or is she projecting her own exhaustion onto them?
It’s been a solid two years of the world’s biggest female pop stars touring physically demanding shows that just begs the question, how do these women do it?
As we know by now, Gaga does it on Nurtec. Is Beyoncé on Nurtec? Is that what it is?
4. TELEPHONE pt. II IS GOING TO BE A NURTEC AD
This required its own bullet point but walk with me, if the whole theme of The Gaga Ball: Chromatica is this revival of Gaga’s old-school style, it would only make sense that the music video for “Telephone, pt. II” will be sponsored by Nurtec. The song will air as a clip on TV as a commercial.
Remember, Beyoncé isn’t above commercials. (Ahem. Verizon.) And if we recall what Gaga said about Art and Capitalism*- that they “can be friends, it’s just about how it happens.” This would be a blend of art and capitalism that would greatly complement both Gaga and Beyoncé’s career endeavors.
*videos of the clip have since been deleted.
5. AI Gaga is Real
Which brings me to my next theory… I think Gaga’s next album is going to be some kind of collaboration with AI. At first it was just speculation inspired by the previous quote, but after watching this film, I think it’s possible.
Think about it. She can just lay her whole soul on the track and make some truly incredible records without worrying about the burden to perform it. She’ll make music and tend to her hip while the robot takes over performance duties.
Accounting as well for the general bend of her career, a space-agey and technological theme has been ever present in her music. Lately, Gaga has been commenting that her next era will be “nothing like she’s ever done before.”
If we look at current trends of technological innovation, AI unfortunately is the hot topic at the moment, even in pop. FKA Twigs is developing her own AI persona with the help of the US Government, and Grimes has given the cosign for AI artists to use her vocal likeness as long as she gets paid.
I think about “ArtFlop,” where similar promises were limited by human capability. If she creates an AI version of herself, this persona could accomplish everything for her while not depending on human limits. She could have the flying dress, she could perform on the moon, and no one would be harmed.
All I’m saying is that GAGABOT is imminent. Lady Gaga killed Gwen Stefani and replaced her with a robot as an early trial for GAGABOT. If any of you are watching The Voice, please report back to me. I hear she’s back this season.
Also throughout this concert, Gaga just generally looks like a robot. The charging pod from the first part is an omen. She’s preparing us for it.
6. A Star is Born Impact
We truly are living in a post-A Star is Born world. Lady Gaga emerging from the darkness to perform Shallow in that alien headpiece was so correct. After endless vamping she finally sings, and it is captivating. It might be the moment where the audience is most engaged with her.
It must be highlighted- “Shallow” is on its way to becoming a Diamond Certified Karaoke Classic.
7. Misc. Thoughts
Now here are some notes I jotted down during the viewing of this concert film that I don’t feel need so much elaboration.
- Where is Daft Punk?
- Idk, it just feels like they should be here
- Why have they never collabed? They need to design the next “GAGA BALL.” I don’t mean her next concert because that might be another Jazz & Piano tease, or a real concert for her alleged next album, because those are not “THE GAGA BALL.”
- In general, Lady Gaga needs to grow up and host a rave already. Brooklyn is just across the river, sweetie
- Gaga cannot rap live
- Why is she telling us to put our hands up so much
- Is the crowd not having a good time? If so, are they not showing it?
- Dear lord in heaven, please keep me far from Los Angeles
- Lady Gaga and my college dance teacher need to collab
- Imagine if they fell in love I’d love that
- Would they have a torrid affair? Or would they make it? Do I need to write a screenplay for them that has them starring as themselves and as the filming of the movie unfolds, their lives follow a similar plot for them resulting in their romance?
- In conclusion, how do I set up Lady Gaga and my college dance teacher
- I’ve been holding this thought in the whole concert but I can’t do it anymore, when is she going to get rid of this blonde?
- This Barbie Blonde only for her not to sing “Plastic Doll”
- If it hadn’t been for Covid, Chromatica would have been renowned as the Target Summer Soundtrack.
- I know because I lived it. (Quote from me, former Target Employee, 2020–2020)
- No Ariana for “Rain on Me?” Is she going to try to sing her part?
- Is she coming for Ariana’s wig??
- She missed.
In conclusion, Lady Gaga: The Chromatica Ball highlights a tour that is more about Lady Gaga than Chromatica. It’s worth noting that the first 40 minutes of this hour and 40 minute set is mainly spent mirthing in her old hits. Why? Does she want to just get them out of the way? If that were the case, she wouldn’t have to do so many of them. Is this fan service? I feel like this serves the locals more than anyone else.
I suppose I just wasn’t a fan of the set list, the same way Gaga wasn’t a fan of Chromatica. Throughout the era, Gaga abandoned her plans for music videos and live performances. This of course was an after effect of Covid, but given that she allowed herself to pursue other endeavors (Joker 2 (2024), Love For Sale (2022), House of Gucci (2021), it’s a bit clear that Covid infected the original vision for the Chromatica era, and Gaga let it die.
I’m just saying, you only force yourself to perform with Covid five times if you’re committed to Getting This Tour Over With.
So, if you’re expecting a proper celebration of Chromatica, manage your expectations. If you’d enjoy a sonic celebration of most of Gaga’s career, it’s worth a stream.
8. And for my last point… No ARTPOP?
Even Joanne (2016) got a shout out. Hmm.
3.5 stars / 5
