DWUWPerez 98 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Review: Lady Gaga wows fans in San Jose By Jim Harrington Jun 4: Lady Gaga showcases 'ARTPOP' in San Jose Note: Bay Area News Group did not photograph this concert because the artist did not permit media photographers into the show. SAN JOSE -- Lady Gaga brought us to her world. "Welcome to Venus," she said to the nearly 14,000 fans who filled the SAP Center Tuesday night. "This is the planet that I have hailed from since my birth." That explains a lot -- from Gaga's outrageous outfits and antics to her bizarre concert tours and public appearances. Lady Gaga finally confirmed what we've suspected all along: She's from outer space. And she has super powers. Most notably, she can delight earthlings like few other pop stars on any planet. It doesn't always happen when she takes the stage, but it certainly did on Tuesday. The vocalist's latest road show, artRave: The ARTPOP Ball, is an absolute smash. It's light years better than her previous outing, the bloated, convoluted Born This Way Ball Tour, which lumbered through San Jose in early 2013. And it's nearly as spellbinding as the earlier Monster Ball Tour, which was one of the best pure pop-music spectacles of the last 10 years. This turn of events shouldn't come as a surprise, given that Gaga has long ranked as one of the savviest entertainers in the game. She made a ton of mistakes on the Born This Way Ball, but repeated none of them on ARTPOP. The former was an overly long affair, weighed down by complicated theatrics and heavy-handed themes that stole attention from the music. This time around, Gaga is offering up an expertly paced, streamlined show -- it's nearly 40 minutes shorter than the Born This Way Ball. The theatrics are fun and comparatively straightforward, and they never overshadow the music. There's a strong focus on connecting with the crowd, which is what Gaga does best. The set design was marvelous. Gaga has obviously noticed the fervor around Disney's "Frozen" and here she's created her own winter wonderland. Let's just say that Elsa would probably be envious. The main stage is designed to look like a giant igloo, which houses her live band, and there's a piano encased in icy crystals. Raised walkways run above the arena floor, allowing the star and her fellow dancers to boogie in the sky. Gaga opened the roughly 100-minute show with the title track to "ARTPOP," her chart-topping third studio album from last year. She followed that with five more "ARTPOP" offerings -- "G.U.Y.," "Donatella," "Venus," "Fashion!" and "MANiCURE." Each of the tunes sounded better live than they do on record. "I want you to have the time of your life tonight," Gaga told the crowd early in the evening. She certainly did her part. Gaga unleashed such longtime fan favorites as "Poker Face," "Telephone" and "Just Dance." She also connected with her adoring fans -- lovingly nicknamed "Little Monsters" -- with a type of sincerity that is rare in the entertainment business. She gave several pep talks, all of the "I'm OK, You're OK" variety, and went out of her way to comfort the crowd. She complimented one audience member for wearing a Joy Division shirt -- which is surely something worth complimenting -- and read a fan letter out loud. "Welcome to a place where we judge no one," Gaga said. Of course, Gaga is well known for delivering one big shocker per tour. During Monster Ball, she shot flames from her undergarments at a giant fish creature. Then there was the crazy birth scene -- where "baby" Gaga appeared from a giant inflatable torso -- in the Born This Way Ball. The current tour's talker comes as Gaga strips to nearly nothing in a costume change right before our eyes. Yet, that wasn't the evening's defining moment. That came when Gaga left the special effects behind and simply sat at the piano to perform a stunning solo version of "Born This Way," accompanied by two audience members. It was -- just like Gaga herself -- simply out of this world. Follow Jim Harrington at http://twitter.com/jimthecritic and www.facebook.com/jim.bayareanews. http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_25894907/lady-gaga-wows-fans-san-jose Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar 1,031 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I came here to stan for Gaga not read a book. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Josh 3 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The BTWB dragging Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWUWPerez 98 Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 I came here to stan for Gaga not read a book. Rude, if you don't want to read it just move on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acid 1 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 "Each of the tunes sounded better live than they do on the record" This quote sums up this era/album Amazing :dies: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iAstroLeo 14,233 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chromatislaps 34,759 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 not them shading the BTWB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock 20,290 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 And it's nearly as spellbinding as the earlier Monster Ball Tour, which was one of the best pure pop-music spectacles of the last 10 years. who will love me when the night is over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gagaconvert 68 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The main stage is designed to look like a giant igloo LMAO Great review though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I love reading these kinds of reviews Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingOfSpain 10,010 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 OMG THIS IS FANTASTIC http://gagadaily.com/forums/topic/227246-ceremony-gagas-videography-megarate/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thathimerosguy 3 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
henaub 191 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Rude, if you don't want to read it just move on. you dont have to take it personal is not like u wrote it ;) Pole dancer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWUWPerez 98 Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 you dont have to take it personal is not like u wrote it ;) Still, it adds nothing to the conversation. Those types of comments should be banned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagaMyBlood95 9,899 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I enjoyed reading this! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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