In 2025, Coachella marked the return of Lady Gaga with a captivating last performance. It went beyond what is merely termed a concert, encompassing artistic loudspeakers, symbols, and an expression of her album “Mayhem,” thus paying tribute to her legacy as an unparalleled pop star.
A Theatrical Performance by Gaga: An Introduction to “Mayhem”
Her artistry had captured the attention of everyone prior to her entrance, with epic gargoyles filling the stage as lights became dimmer, and her followers commenced chanting in unison in a holistic trance. Is it a descendant of a divinely brilliant performance that involves a glance into the realms of Gaga’s alter ego? Indeed it is, for the war against hope and despair rages on.
Duality and Performance: A Four-Act Journey
Gaga, in two hours over four acts, executed a riveting performance of her internal battle between light and darkness. This included an angelic Gaga monster portraying the light while a shadowy figure called the “Lady in Red,” the antagonist from her song “Abracadabra,” dwelled in the dark.
Act One: “Bloody Mary” to “Poker Face”
The opening of the first act was marked with an upbeat “Bloody Mary,” known as well due to its resurgence on TikTok. This was followed by “Abracadabra,” where Gaga assumed the persona of a Victorian-era opera singer complete with an embellished gown. The stark contrasts drove the theme of duality. The act came to an enthralling finish with “Judas,” where the veteran gyrated in the original choreography of the song’s highly controversial video, further delving into conflict and temptation.
A House of Mayhem: Addressing the Crowd
The performer was speaking to the audience too, and after “Scheiße” and “Garden of Eden,” she invited the attendees to her “house of mayhem.” This letter and dialogue deepened the experience beyond the superb artistry.
Act II: Rising from the Ashes
The first display ends with Gaga’s light and dark personas clashing, which looks like the destruction of Gaga of Light. The second act shows her being resurrected from a pile of dirt in a corseted white dress and surrounded by dancers in skull masks who are performing “Perfect Celebrity.” This part of the song seems to be a strong reminder of the cost of fame and the idolised view of a celebrity, hinting perfection is only found in death.
A Romantic Gesture: Dedicating “Alejandro” to Love
While on stage, Gaga had an endearing interaction with the audience just before strumming the chords of “Alejandro” and told them how much she loves and appreciates them. “I wanted to do a romantic gesture for you this year in the middle of the chaos. I decided to build you an opera house in the desert,” she stated. Polansky was acknowledged by Gaga, and paying respect to the crowd, she dedicated the song to her fiancé, thanking them for bringing him into her life.
Act Three: Classically Trained with a Futuristic Spin by Gesaffelstein
The third act brought on an unexpected collaboration as electronic music producer Gesaffelstein made his surprise appearance as the DJ during “Killah.” This incorporation of electronic and pop music further enhanced the captivating energy of the performance, especially being set in a centuries-old venue in the preceding acts. Gaga’s look for this segment, a silver and royal blue leotard, seemed to owe her the “Just Dance” days, therefore marking the progress of her career towards her present.
Provocative Moves: Controversy and “Zombieboy”
“Zombieboy” became a performative spectacle in which its narrative was more Addams Wednesday than the actual show, featuring Gaga spin dancing with dancing skeletons. Some of the dance moves and the visuals in that particular part of the performance were deemed provocative and controversial, exposing conservative critiques, quintessential of Gaga’s affinity for challenging societal norms.
The Human Side: Fan Interaction and “Shallow”
In addition to the tender moments she included for the performance, Gaga featured a shortened “Die with a Smile” and an emotionally stirring performance of “Shallow.” This offered her an opportunity to interact personally with the audience and showcase, to some extent, the emotional vulnerability she possesses. During “Vanish into You,” Gaga also devoted some moments of the performance to praise her supporters, affectionately called “Little Monsters,” demonstrating the unwavering gratitude she holds for them.
The Grand Finale: “Bad Romance” and Rebirth
As if from the dead, Lady Gaga took the stage like a resurrected angel in feathers, marking the ‘Bad Romance’ moment with Gaga’s iconic “Bad Romance.” The desert exploded into a symphony of colourful fireworks as the first notes of the song echoed, signifying the end of the show. A stunning message of “We are monsters and monsters never die” flashed across, fitting into the narrative of the resilience monologues Gaga repeatedly spoke during the show, further emphasising her vision as an artist. This performance was harrowingly beautiful.
Conclusion: A Transformative Spectacle
A Joe Goldberg nightmare come true is what pop enthusiasts will refer to the 2025 Coachella when telling the future generation about Lady Gaga, the world’s first and last true pop artist, gushing about her unprecedented performance that eclipsed friends’ expectations of her as a “one-time” performer. Coachella 2025 was not just a concert—it was a spectacle that once again cemented my perspective on her being a one-time performer and, of course, the world’s first and last true pop artist. The combination of her narration with unearthly vocals and artistic vision dashed to the pin-drop silent crowd, kicking into motion all the transformations of my perception about Gaga and her fans, assuring me this will set her and her timeline as one for the books.
