Concert review: Lady Gaga at Rosemont Theatre
Lady Gaga performs at Rosemont Friday, January 8. View more photos of the Lady Gaga concert HERE. (Tribune photo by Chris Sweda)
Lady Gaga paused in the middle of her concert Friday at the Rosemont Theatre and momentarily basked in applause from her geeked-out fans, many of them accessorized in Gaga-like finery. Then she yawned and examined her fingernails.
It was just one of many little sarcastic asides in a show that played like one long critique of celebrity, the first of a three-night Chicago residency. The 110-minute set had some pacing problems, and a few slack moments. But overall this was a visual spectacle heavy on ideas rather than self-aggrandizing glamor, disturbing and provocative as much as it was grandiose.
Music? Yes, there was that, too, more of a soundtrack (uptempo electronic music outfitted with rock flourishes) to the visual blitz on a stage that resembled a long hallway of video screens receding into the horizon. The singer born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta 23 years ago has been in the public spotlight for only about a year, and she already has a handful of catchy hits. The latest, “Bad Romance,” was saved for last. Another, the mega “Poker Face,” was performed twice.
Gaga owned 2009 in pop music because she grasped that in this over-stimulated, attention-deficit era, each song, each gesture, each sashay in front of thousands of cellphone cameras needs to be an event or it won’t resonate. In an era where singles rule rather than albums, Gaga sold more than 15 million digital tracks last year, more than any other artist ever. Her hits were accompanied by alluring, arty videos, referencing everything from German cult figure Klaus Nomi to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.”
She’s taken her high-concept show on the road and toured relentlessly – just a little over a year ago she was an obscure opening act for New Kids on the Block. The current tour has had its share of bumps. A double-bill with Kanye West evaporated when the hip-hop star pulled out last year, and then as Gaga expanded her theater show, she abruptly moved into larger venues, forcing a last-minute ticket exchange in Chicago that inconvenienced fans.
But there were few signs of dissent Friday, as the audience – a cross-cultural mix that included schoolchildren, gay couples, and packs of Gaga-imitating young women – stood and danced through most of the show as Gaga alternately baited, thanked and sang for them.
And she really did sing – rather than lip-sync – in a tougher-than-expected alto with some gritty, blues-dipped inflections, from the sinister “Monster” to the instant gay anthem “Boys, Boys, Boys.” She managed to belt out the 18 songs live even while working through some energetic routines with about a dozen dancers, strenuous double-duty that performers like Madonna, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson can’t seem to manage without resorting to canned vocals. She sat alone at the piano to pound out a couple of tunes, including an ill-advised slow-paced “Poker Face”; fortunately she brought it back later in its full-on electronic version.
Underpinning many of the songs was Gaga’s skeptical take on fame, which took on the physical properties of a predator. Her many costume changes weren’t so much about emphasizing her sex appeal as they were symbols conjured up in nightmares. She embodied a raven and a fang-baring wolf, rarely playing to sex-nymph clichés that plague most pop concerts. Indeed, many of the costumes distorted or disguised Gaga’s feminine features; in videos that separated the songs, she sported antlers and cloven hoofs, wore hideous masks and was the target of a blue-hued stream of vomit. On “Paparazzi,” she was chained to a metal bar, her celebrity a form of bondage.
The singer reveled in the provocations and salty language, but she also clearly enjoyed expanding the notion of just who a star is and how one should act. Implied in her every unconventional gesture was that there was room for everyone, no matter how much of an outsider, in her spotlight.
greg@gregkot.com
Related items:
Lady Gaga spotted at popular Chicago burger spotJason Derulo on touring with Lady Gaga
Click here for photos from Friday night's show.
Lady Gaga set list Friday at the Rosemont Theatre:
1. Dance in the Dark
2. Just Dance
3. LoveGame
4. Alejandro
5. Monster
6. So Happy I Could Die
7. Teeth
8. Speechless
9. Poker Face (Acoustic)
10. The Fame
11. Money Honey
12. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
13. Boys Boys Boys
14. Paper Gangsta
15. Poker Face
16. Paparazzi
Encore:
17. Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
18. Bad Romance
As one of the older people to attend (62), I thought she was great. I do think the audience was a little young for some of the language. The underder 21s really enjoyed it. The older people were mostly drunk, stoned and somewhat lewed.
The opening act was trash. The lead singer was vulgar and passed around champaign to people regardless of age. Telling the crowd that everyone should have sex tonight was inappropriate for a crowd was mainly underage.
The second act was pretty good (Derulo).
Posted by: Tony Carrollo | January 09, 2010 at 12:53 AM
I completely disagree regarding the acoustic version of Poker Face. For me, it was the highlight of the show, turning her persona completely on its ear and showcasing her meaty talents as a musician. She showed true soul in that piece, and I would recommend it to any naysayers.
Posted by: fanbot | January 09, 2010 at 01:28 AM
Nice job posting a well-written, thoughtful review so quickly. Was there any acknowledgment of the venue change during the show?
Greg replies: She didn't mention it during the concert.
Posted by: ChicagoConcertgoers.com | January 09, 2010 at 02:13 AM
Why bring up Janet Jackson? Lady KaKa is not doing half of the routines Janet does on stage. Why compare? Janet is in a class all by herself. You obviously know nothing about Janet Jackson she does full out choreography and still manages to sing well at the same time. Gaga just waves her arms around while her back up dancers do all the work. Janet does the same choreography her back up dancers do because she is also a dancer.You should really do your research before throwing Janet's name in your [bad] review.
Posted by: Nonya | January 09, 2010 at 02:17 AM
I so agree with your review of the show. It was fun, but not entirely cohesive or tight. She sounded great, and we really appreciate her live singing, which sounds absurd when you think about it.
For Friday's show, we had pit seats. Somehow, although the venue change screwed us out of our pit seats for Saturday night (with an offer by Ticketmaster to give us "comparable seats" in row H!), we maintained our great seats for tonight.
It was the saddest thing that I could have imagined, being up front. Perhaps only 10% of the people seated up there were dancing or even singing along. For all the talk of loving her fans, the entire last-minute venue change managed to push all of her fans' seats back. I don't know who the people in the front seats were, but surely most were not fans. She has only her promotional team and Ticketmaster to thank for the lackluster faces that she saw in the first five rows of Rosemont Theatre tonight. That was a HUGE buzz kill.
Posted by: Micheyb | January 09, 2010 at 02:47 AM
That was the worse review I ever read. - Basically telling us about the artist and listing the songs she played - really??? You get paid for that????
Posted by: auto | January 09, 2010 at 04:09 AM
Why no comment about how bad the sound was in the theater? I thought the first half of the show sounded awful when it came to the accoustics. It may have been the worse I have ever heard. I thought for sure that would have been mentioned. Very nice review otherwise. It was my second time seeing her and she is a true superstar!
Posted by: Sound guy | January 09, 2010 at 10:32 AM
What time did her show actually start and what was your take on the warm up acts? Very anxious to know and plan accordingly. No review goes into this thus far...
Greg replies: Lady Gaga started at 9:25 p.m. Friday.
Posted by: Steffan | January 09, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I was there and thought she put on a fantastic show. The girl definitely has some vocal prowess and I can see why GaGa was awesome compared to Britney (who was lethargic, barely danced and lipped synced the entire time). I do however find itcompletely unnecessary to drag in Janet Jackson (who is an INCREDIBLE dancer) and Madonna (who sings live nearly ALL the time and still puts on the best shows I've ever seen). GaGa is definitely the top Pop Princess of the moment but she has a lot of dues to pay before she's worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as Her Madgesty Madonna.
Posted by: Jake | January 09, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Laday Gaga was on CNBC tralking about her affiliation with a company. I was stunned how intelligent and savvy she was.
Posted by: ri | January 09, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I strongly disagree that the acoustic Pokerface was a drag to the show... You said it yourself, she was dancing AND singing the whole damn time! I was getting tired in the crowd, we have to give our Gaga a chance to catch her breathe and show her piano chops!
Amazing show.
Posted by: Jessica Koolins | January 09, 2010 at 01:04 PM
Great review! I'm really happy you appreciate Ms. Gaga as an artist and gave such a thoughtful and descriptive review! I figured a music critic might only appreciate "real" music from more mainstream rock bands, but it is good to know you understand the art of a great pop/dance musician as well! I will attend the concert on Sunday and am super excited! "Right on!" with your comments regarding Madonna, Britney and Janet. Sorry to all of their fans -but Janet and Briney particularly lip sync -A LOT -usually the majority if not the entire show. Madonna is similar to Gaga in that she does sing the majority of the concert. But we've caught Madge in a few "mouthing to the lyrics" moments. Thanks again for a great review!
Posted by: Jenn Q | January 09, 2010 at 01:29 PM
@ ChicagoConcertgoers.com
Please be quiet, dance all you want but if you claim to be a singer you better sing.
Janet didn't even sing at the VMA's during the tribute to her brother (who was 10 times more talented than she will ever be as a vocalist or a dancer). Janet Jackson can dance circles around Gaga but Gaga can blow her away with her pipes.
Posted by: Andy | January 09, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Trash.
Posted by: Pete | January 09, 2010 at 03:47 PM
GAGA!GAGA! Wonderful show from beginning to end. The opening of "DANCE IN THE DARK"(Amazing). The show had a NIN feels with GAGAs plethera of top notch vocals,theatrics,and wonderful fans!!! However, the FOX Theater show in St. Louis was much better:o). Now tell me this I know there is this debate going on here about talent between the girls. First, they are all powerful singers, and dancers. However GAGA does all that plus plays multiple musical instruments, whether it be the piano or the part in the show where she came out in the glass box with the keyboard(too kewl). I totally enjoyed your shows. I went to St.louis and Chicago.
Posted by: michael johnson | January 09, 2010 at 07:18 PM
I loved the concert, Gaga was super sexy and adorable. There is not a song on either albums that I do not like. I think she did an excellent job. She is such a rock star!! Semi Precious Weapons were a little much, However there really shouldn't have been any youngsters there. If you are a fan of GaGa then you know how she is. ... Agreed the sound system was most def horrible!
Posted by: Norma | January 09, 2010 at 07:38 PM
It should go without saying that a person should be allowed to marry whomever they choose. Until the right-wing, religious fanatics in this country stop trying to control everybody else and force their “morals” down the throat of the country, there can be no real freedom in the United States. I invite you to my web pages devoted to raising awareness on this puritan attack on our freedom: http://freethegods.blogspot.com/2009/06/san-franciscos-gay-pride-parade.html
Posted by: David Scott | January 09, 2010 at 09:07 PM
I thought the review was great, and yes Lady Gaga is so beyond Janet jackson, hell beyonce is better than janet, Lady gaga rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And if you dont know that get a clue!
Posted by: Bones | January 09, 2010 at 09:41 PM
Poop.
Posted by: Poop | January 10, 2010 at 01:01 AM
Good, honest review - Greg - nice job!
Posted by: eshine | January 10, 2010 at 05:09 AM
I'm really taken by the fact that we've reached the point where a pipe idol is lauded for the fact that she actually sang all the songs herself.
Hooray for Lady Gaga and having the guts to pull that off. Jeers to the the listening public that has enabled this low standard of performance to become the norm.
Posted by: Typo | January 10, 2010 at 05:43 AM
Thanks for the last minute venue change....still waiting for the STUBHUB refund since they wouldnt give me tix to rosemont show.......avoid STUBHUB...they even forced me to pay for the fedex charges for postage.......but hey...I can wait 3 weeks for the cash and didn't have the money to get tix for shows this weekend
Posted by: KOOPS | January 10, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Lady GaGa did real good last night! I didn't saw a lot of people in the front rows to be singing at all!! I am a big fan of hers.. But I was at balcony since the venue was changed! :( I bet most of her real fans were at the back like me. I didn't like that there were a lot of younger kids.. At least the people should be 18 and over.. Because of the way she may talk.. Lady GaGa next time you come back again don't let it happen I know it's not her fault ( change of venue) then you will see me (big fan) on your concert in the front rows.. With other REAL fans that will sing a long to your music!
Posted by: M. | January 10, 2010 at 12:52 PM
REVIEW FOR PARENTS: I went to the Sat show with my 14 and 16 yr old girls. Didn't watch the first warm up band...way too loud and more interesting to people watch in the lobby. Second warm up was good but disappointing there was no band. There was about 40 min of Michael Jackson's tunes playing before Gaga started at 9:30 pm and that was FUN. The house was dancing in the aisles, really fun. I agree with one reviewer, first half of show was WAY too loud. When the music is so loud that it is distorted, doesn't sound good to the human ear, whether we are big or small. Second half was better but still could be improved. CAUTION: Lots of bad language. At one point, she said she was playing 3 dates in Chicago and that she doesn't have sex until the third date but something to the effect that because this was the second date, she would "suck dick." Ok, is that necessary? Felt bad for the parents with the younger kids. Lots of the use of the "F" word. And there is no shortage of sexual simulation, the worst being a man simulating oral sex on her. The other with Lady Gaga sitting on the lap of one guy with another guy in front of her simulating sex (i.e. from the front and behind at the same time.) I think that one could go over the heads of little ones but not me. Another disappointment to this 46 yr old lady was the absence of the band. You didn't even know she had a band until the 4th song. I was starting to really get peeved until the band was finally revealed (and then covered again later on.) I really like to watch the band as well. But, that is not a focus of her show, disappointingly. They didn't even get a "shout out" from Gaga. You do get the impression at times that she's like a spoiled child, constantly in need of attention from her fans. Don't get me wrong, it was a good show.
And to "free the Gods" up there, it should be up to the populace to determine who should and should not be able to marry...not judges, not you, not me, but everyone as a collective. You think brothers and sisters should be able to marry? That's what you say....anyone should be free to marry anyone else. What about one man and two woman? You think that's OK too?
Posted by: Taraj | January 10, 2010 at 03:13 PM
GaGa definitely stole the Pop Princess crown from Britney Spears once and for all. She has more talent then Brit, better pipes and is a far better artist. I can definitely see more similarities between Madonna and GaGa (artistry, talent, song writing ability, image) then I could ever see between Madonna and Britney. Madonna is and will always be the Pop's Queen but GaGa has definitely become it's Princess.
Posted by: Sean | January 10, 2010 at 03:45 PM