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Coachella Crowns Gaga Queen of the Desert Opera
Indio, CA – Lady Gaga returned to the Coachella stage Friday night, not as a last-minute replacement, but as a conquering queen. The pop superstar headlined the festival with a two-hour, 20-song spectacle that showcased her “Mayhem” album and reminded everyone why she’s music’s reigning kook.
Gaga, resplendent in a series of elaborate costumes, addressed the crowd from a gothic structure she’d had built on stage. Calling it a “romantic gesture” for her fans, she spoke of her career as a dream she never wanted to wake from.
The performance, divided into four acts and a finale, defied easy description. While a vague narrative about dueling selves was hinted at, the real story was Gaga’s flamboyant embrace of the bizarre.
From a chess match with human pieces during “Poker Face” to a writhing graveyard scene for “Perfect Celebrity” and “Disease,” Gaga delivered a visual feast. She donned chrome armor and crutches for “Paparazzi,” and twirled with a skeleton for “Zombieboy.”
The set list was a mix of new material from “Mayhem” and beloved hits like “Bloody Mary,” “Abracadabra,” and “Judas.” She even threw in the German-language “Sheiße” amidst oversized quill pens and a Last Supper tableau. A tender moment came when she spotted her fiancé, Michael Polansky, in the crowd, thanking the audience for “bringing me my man.”
Backed by a live band, string players, and collaborator Gesaffelstein, Gaga’s powerful vocals shone throughout. She delivered stripped-down versions of “Die With a Smile” and “Shallow” on piano, referencing her previous Coachella appearance where she filmed scenes for “A Star is Born.”
Like most modern Coachella headliners, Gaga’s set was optimized for YouTube’s livestream, with drones, wired cameras, and even a crotch cam capturing every elaborate detail. Yet, amidst the high-tech production, Gaga’s connection with the audience remained palpable. Her energy and enthusiasm were infectious, her panting between songs a testament to her full-throated performance.
Before closing with the inevitable “Bad Romance” encore, Gaga debuted the yearning “Vanish Into You,” jumping off stage to connect with fans. Handed a fake flower, she transformed it into a makeshift microphone, a charmingly spontaneous gesture that perfectly encapsulated the night’s blend of meticulously crafted spectacle and genuine artist-audience connection.