Which tour was darker in terms of aesthetic?

[Juniper 1,008]

Chromatica definitely is the darker one without a doubt for me. 

[Elizabeth 537]

Not my ignorant ass coming here to say Mayhem Ball....but only because I didn't go to Chromatica so didn't experience it live (I lived in Australia at the time )

But actually I think you are all correct, both tours are dark in different ways/styles but the brutalist stage design for the Chromatica Ball kinda edges mayhem ball, especially combined with many Chromatica songs being lyrically very dark too. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Elizabeth

[GerMonsterNotta 1,736]

Here’s a thought…… they are same/similar in darkness lvl, but the artist’s perspective is different. 

The CBT has a more raw, darker delivery in places, I agree with previous posts.

The Mayhem ball is equally as dark at its core message but the delivery is reimagined in a more beautiful, gothic way - reflecting a milestone in Gaga’s healing process. She can accept and celebrate herself once again, both as Gaga and Stefani, and her love with Michael appeared to be the ultimate catalyst. 

Edited 6 minutes ago by GerMonsterNotta

[Simon 1,463]

It's interesting that many of you point to The Mayhem Ball as the darkest one. For me, it's grotesque, gothic dream commentary. It's exaggerated and meant to seem dark, but ultimately, it's light. It's a specific concept.

but darkness pours out of CBT. It's heavy, it's mental, it's dark.

[zevthepaparazzo 762]

"darkness" in art is always confusing for me to talk about, but I'll try my best to say what I mean in a way thats comprehensive

the chromatica ball is like the rough and raw darkness, it's real, it's suffering. more evil warehouse with a villain hiding inside.

the mayhem ball is the elegant artsy darkness, it's a gothic dream, it's surreal. more haunted hall of mirrors in versailles.

I think theres like 4 sides of darkness: rough industrial dystopian brutalism (like chromatica), gothic ornate baroque (like mayhem), gooey macabre body horror, and sleek curvy birch-tree looking ahh natural sorta darkness.

anyway

the two tours have same level of "darkness" to me, but it's just different facets of the same black diamond

[OMonster 14,788]

Mayhem Ball is "spooky" 

Chromatica Ball is more intense and emotionally dark. 

[Elizabeth 537]

34 minutes ago, zevthepaparazzo said:

"darkness" in art is always confusing for me to talk about, but I'll try my best to say what I mean in a way thats comprehensive

the chromatica ball is like the rough and raw darkness, it's real, it's suffering. more evil warehouse with a villain hiding inside.

the mayhem ball is the elegant artsy darkness, it's a gothic dream, it's surreal. more haunted hall of mirrors in versailles.

I think theres like 4 sides of darkness: rough industrial dystopian brutalism (like chromatica), gothic ornate baroque (like mayhem), gooey macabre body horror, and sleek curvy birch-tree looking ahh natural sorta darkness.

anyway

the two tours have same level of "darkness" to me, but it's just different facets of the same black diamond

This is beautifully written, thank you for posting this! 

[memomemome 1,478]

I think the moment when she starts Chromatica Ball with her biggest hits (Bad Romance, Hello), I thought... that's cold..? and somewhat gives a tortured aesthetic.

While in mayhem ball, feels somewhat familiar and ease feeling. (maybe because of the storyline, the rise and fall, and rise again) kinda giving a sense of hope. although songwise thematically mayhem ball is darker