The monsters were out in full force last week in Charlottesville to see firsthand the legend that is Lady Gaga and her famous Monster Ball.
Although Gaga is known for her fashion sense and being a wackjob, she was also the most giving and caring person many of us had ever seen in concert. During the show, a fan in the pit, who had bedazzled a UVa. T-shirt with the line “The monsters of Charlottesville love Gaga,” threw the shirt on stage, which Gaga promptly picked up, put on and proceeded to wear for three more songs. We were also stunned to find out that for every show Gaga does she donates money to a charity that helps homeless people in the LGBT community.
Words of inspiration filled the breaks between chart topping hits. “The Monster Ball is all about being free. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from or how much money you got in your pocket, because tonight, Charlottesville, you are free, and I want you to release all your insecurities … don’t leave loving me more, leave loving yourself more,” says Gaga after her opening song.
One of the speeches that created the most buzz and thankfulness was right after “Pokerface,” when she sat on the stage and prayed with a beam of light coming from the ceiling. “Jesus, I just don’t understand,” began Gaga. “People keep telling me that you like only a certain type of person with the right background, the right color and the right sexual orientation, but Jesus, I know that can’t be true, because I am here, and I am so blessed, so I know that you love everyone.”
The crowd went nuts, and Gaga headed towards the back of the stage, where she tickled the ivories to “Speechless” on an enflamed black Grand clad in what can barely be considered underwear, fishnets and black leather thigh-high stiletto boots.
The crowd sported some of Gaga’s extreme fashion statements, including cans in their hair from the “Telephone” video. The fans were obviously not the only ones making bold fashion statements. Gaga opened up in a sparkled purple jacket with shoulder pads the size of Texas. Gaga changed outfits roughly every three songs, each costume more grand than the previous one. The first wardrobe change was followed by a sheer nun suit reminiscent of the late designer Alexander McQueen’s work complete with a hobbit to match.
The entire performance was strategically put together to follow the storyline that was also taking place. Not only was this a concert, but it was a play of sorts, too. The storyline was that Gaga and her friends were trying to get to the Monster Ball, but their car, which hid a keyboard in the engine, broke down, so they have to walk and end up getting lost. The set changed three times throughout the two and a half hour performance.
Of all the shows to come to Charlottesville, Lady Gaga generated the most interesting, and obnoxiously ecstatic audience. What can really be said about a Lady Gaga performance? Everyone knows when she does something, she does it big, which is exactly how the Monster Ball played out. If given the choic,e many would come back to the exact same show all over again.
Column by Jenny Hypes. Jenny can be reached at [email protected].
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