anomdepllume 393 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Hey all! I'm not usually one to start topics, but I have some thoughts on last night that I haven't really seen other people discussing around here, so I thought I'd go for it I wasn't there, but I did get to see most of the show live, and caught the rest of it this morning through various video. (To everyone in the Rabbit stream that I accidentally disconnected from, my internet connection was in and out last night, I'm sorry I didn't get to see the rest of it with y'all!). -During the pre-show music, there was an funeral-esque organ playing Million Reasons. This to me was beyond strange when I first heard it, but it kind of informs the rest of my thoughts on how the show works as a cohesive whole. People are having a really hard time reconciling the pink-hatted-hippie-styled Joanne aesthetics that have been in place pre-Coachella, and the darker interludes we've been getting SINCE Coachella. Especially after the (absolutely stunning) interludes and performances we got last night, on the surface level there is a lot of disconnect. One thing that we absolutely cannot forget is that Joanne (the album, the namesake, the song itself, all of it) has ALWAYS had a darker side. This is a family member that died tragically and very young, and as Gaga said last night, that unshakable grief that gets passed down through the generations. Joanne is a reflection of grief, styled different ways. But it's also about overcoming grief and reaching out to others around you to be strengthened (especially focusing on female relationships a la Grigio Girls, Hey Girl). I mean, bops as they may be, Perfect Illusion, Sinner's Prayer, and especially Diamond Heart are raw and dark and deal with EXTREMELY personal things in Gaga's life. (The bravery, honesty, and strength it takes to open your world tour with a song that almost right off the bat refers to one of the darkest moments in your life is astounding). The show is both a mourning period and a celebration of life and love. This also takes on a new meaning with the recent passing of Sonya, as Gaga said last night, the first time she has ever had to deal with the passing of a very close friend. All of that happening while in the middle of a creative and commercial renaissance must raise some conflicting feelings. As for the much talked about interludes, I think they all represent hard choices and obstacles Gaga had to face to get to where she is that night (and I mean recently). The car and the pink smoke to me represents being stuck in a cycle (well hey, would you look at that, it's a lyric!), that is clearly going nowhere, and is on the verge of breaking down. The pink smoke represents the fleeting thoughts and emotions that would come to comprise the Joanne era (also, it looks really b!tchin). Getting out the car, stopping the cycle. The inhalation mask one (my favorite!) as brought up by somebody else, to me was a representation of the fears and dark sides of going back to being Lady Gaga, bold popstar, as opposed to Lady Gaga, jazz songstress, or Lady Gaga, actress. In the end, she does it, because it is a part of her, and what she loves the most. But it comes with pain and loss and fear. The walls closing in in different colors was interesting, and I was sure what to make of it at first (other than that, again, it looked awesome). Perhaps the creative restrictions and doubts that people may have had in coming back to Gaga, and putting out a record like Joanne. The first verse of Perfect Illusion comes to mind during this one. The Rhino one is definitely a little more obvious, aimed at all the ink spilled on her face and various changes. But it also could go the other way, no matter what she's still gonna be Gaga, as strange or ugly as it might look to other people. OR (this one is really up for interpretation), the horns are physical manifestation of personal pain and the toll it has taken. The world can see it, and it ain't going away.. I don't really have one for the bald-melty thing yet, because there's no HD version yet for me to dissect. So this tour definitely highlights the darker side even as it is full of that color and light of the surface of the Joanne era. And it is all in remembrance of the actual Joanne, and Gaga's strange and unbreakable connection to this woman, and a reflection of both her grief and the audiences, overcoming it, working through it, etc. Anyway, tldr, this tour works, feel free to chime in and disagree/agree, I love hearing what y'all have to say! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doot 2 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Im just deleting this. You literally can not have any sort of opinion about anything that she does unless its "YASS IM SHOOK IM SHOOKETH SLAY MY WIG MY WEAVE" on here without getting rude responses. Yall dont respect others opinions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost in limbo 6,035 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 13 minutes ago, Doot said: With full respect to your post, I don't think people should have to scramble and piece together different ideas and theories in order to explain or justify some sort of theme. I love Gaga too, but aside from how cool the stage is, creativity the show was lackluster and appeared to lack effort. I know some fans are hard press to dig deep just to come up with some sort of explanation as to when things seem less than great, but sometimes, things just aren't all that great. I'm sure I'll have a great time at the show (I'm going to three), and will continue to listen to her music and see her live, but the show seemed a bit hollow and creatively hollow. Tbh, it fits with the rest of this album era so it doesn't surprise me. Take your Gaga-doubting away from here xoxo OT: Wow! That's actually the best theory I've seen till now! Wouldn't be suprised if it's correct! this is the state of grace, this is the worthwhile fight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 98,326 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 People say the show was all over the place with lots of contradicting themes but... that's pretty much very Gaga-esque. If you see me posting like crazy, I'm either bored or procrastinating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockPop 7,747 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 It reminded me very much of a "diva" show like you'd want from Whitney, Mariah, Celine but put through the pop machine to make it more Madonna, Janet, Tina, cher with a whole heap of gaga on there and a healthy dose of Beyonce. The only things I'd change would be snips of the setlist and more of the typical gaga chat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anomdepllume 393 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 9 minutes ago, ShockPop said: It reminded me very much of a "diva" show like you'd want from Whitney, Mariah, Celine but put through the pop machine to make it more Madonna, Janet, Tina, cher with a whole heap of gaga on there and a healthy dose of Beyonce. The only things I'd change would be snips of the setlist and more of the typical gaga chat. Agreed, even with all my thoughts, I would like to see the setlist changed a tad (I honestly was SHOCKED she did not do Sinner's Prayer). And if I remember correctly at the start of the BTWB, people remarked that she didn't seem to be as talkative with the crowd on the first date, and that was the height of the Gaga speech, so I'm both assuming and hoping it will come later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anomdepllume 393 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 23 minutes ago, Red said: People say the show was all over the place with lots of contradicting themes but... that's pretty much very Gaga-esque. Exactly! Especially with such a broad back catalog of music to choose from, there's no way we'll ever get the sort of cohesion that fans love about the MonsterBall, because all of the songs at that point were about the highs and lows of fast fame and all that comes with. And don't get me wrong, The Monster Ball is a phenomenal pop milestone (and my first Gaga show), but it could never happen again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaky Oliver 22,255 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Your post is so intelligent! Respect! The moment I first saw the interludes on YT I knew it she was trying to express all the pain and conflicting feelings she's been through since 2013-14! Man she was a passionate musician thinking about quitting music forever! It all makes sense and all the theories about swallowing the Fame Monster at Coachella made even more sense now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anomdepllume 393 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 3 hours ago, Sneaky Oliver said: Your post is so intelligent! Respect! The moment I first saw the interludes on YT I knew it she was trying to express all the pain and conflicting feelings she's been through since 2013-14! Man she was a passionate musician thinking about quitting music forever! It all makes sense and all the theories about swallowing the Fame Monster at Coachella made even more sense now! Aww thanks! I really love that whole theory about the Fame Monster, and I agree, it's right in line with the visuals and whatnot at play with the tour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitter 14 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Honestly I think the storyline is about Gaga finding her way back to Joanne. But fighting through multiple distractions and channeling parts of herself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anomdepllume 393 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Just now, KING said: Honestly I think the storyline is about Gaga finding her way back to Joanne. But fighting through multiple distractions and channeling parts of herself. Ooooh I like this! I wasn't really thinking in terms of storyline a la Monster Ball when I wrote this post, just some general themes. But that definitely works, and is such a cool concept. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitter 14 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 4 minutes ago, anomdepllume said: Ooooh I like this! I wasn't really thinking in terms of storyline a la Monster Ball when I wrote this post, just some general themes. But that definitely works, and is such a cool concept. Thanks I thought of that concept when seeing the setlist and visuals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AIex 3,102 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 6 hours ago, ShockPop said: healthy dose of Beyonce. any Beyonce at all is unhealthy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockPop 7,747 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 55 minutes ago, AIex said: any Beyonce at all is unhealthy Inspiration from her team.. I didn'tmean she reduced her iq for the tour Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miel 15,009 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I really love your interpretation of the breathing mask interlude. That's a very interesting, and very valid, interpretation to read it as. 3 points in and ready for more Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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