There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to enjoy the show. I am a fan and have spent many an hour trolling YouTube for rare or acoustic or jazz performances by Miss Germanotta. (I even wrote a rather silly piece about Gaga versus that zef band.) My wife, on the other hand, is not a fan. She was going along merely to prevent me from getting arrested should I feel the urge to (wo)manhandle Gaga.
The experience started with the Metro train ride to Soccer City, one of the coolest freaking stadiums in the world. The 65 000 strong crowd was mixed – from 7 to 70 years old, rich to poor, very gay, very cosmopolitan, with a couple of mandatory crazies thrown in.
Theatrics
When Gaga appeared dressed in a cage-like alien costume, perched on the back of a mechanical horse similar to the ones manufactured by the Handspring Puppet Company and used in the theatre production of War Horse, the wife was instantly converted. From there onwards things got even more entertaining. Gaga appeared as half woman half motorcycle, she was born out of an egg-/spider-/frog-like creature and minced by a grinder.
You cannot call a Gaga show a concert, because it is a theatre production on crack in an open-air stadium with 65 000 screaming people. She is achieving her goal to take art to the people. (YouTube her performance with the Bolshoi Ballet at MOCA.)
Stage
A three-storey castle stood on the stage! I kid you not. A castle that opened up, changed levels and according to some even became a church. (I missed that part.)
Symbols
When Gaga appeared with a ram goat helmet complete with twisting horns I thought, “Ooo, every tannie in South Africa is going to start praying for her soul.” She also brandished automatic rifles, performed the catholic “cross your heart”, gave the middle finger and even ran around with the South African flag.
Gaga uses symbols to shock, to open up dialogue, to question certain things. Go and read the (mostly) respectful religious discussion by her fans on YouTube after the release of Judas. I’d say she does more for religion, than say, the church?
Singing
I knew she could sing, but live her voice is even stronger and richer than I had anticipated. Obviously when she’s running and dancing her voice is not as loud and clear as when she is standing still or sitting behind her motorcycle piano!
Sexual content
Yes, she does have a lot of sexual imagery on the show – for example when she is in half woman half motorcycle pose and a female dancer mounts the bike/her (okay, mostly her) and there are various suggestive moves. I personally did not frown upon it.
We have sexual images all around us. At least she is advocating equality of all orientations.
Dancing
The choreography is organic, the dancers are brilliant, and although Gaga is a singer first and foremost, she does keep up with them. You can see she does not have the natural talent, but puts in the hours to be able to dance along and join in whenever she wants.
Message
The lyrics, what she says on stage and what the Born this Way Foundation stands for all come down to a few principles. Be accepting of others. Do not bully others. Love yourself. Be the best version of yourself. Follow your dreams. (If Gaga was a waitress in New York a mere five years ago and on Friday she was performing in front of 65 000 people, then it is possible to make your dreams come true.)
She is also calling on people worldwide to get involved in various ways to fight prejudice. Check out the Safe Spaces Map on the Born this Way website, and while you’re at it sommer upload your picture to the Supporter Wall.
Media
The media getting their panties in a knot about the ban on press photographers was so silly. She does not need you, people. In South Africa alone she had over a 100 000 fans over two nights Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming and uploading videos on to YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
She might not need you, but you need her, because the only newspaper I bought on Saturday was the one with Gaga on the front page.
Christians
If you think she is the bride of Satan, don’t go to the blooming show! (The word “blooming” is standing in for a more severe expression of frustration. Pick one.) Leave us fans alone. We won’t complain if you go and listen to that potato farmer.
If, however, you want to broaden your mind, check out this extremely well-written post (by an Afrikaans Dominee nogal).
I will leave you with the motto of the Born This Way Foundation.
This way, towards bravery
where youth are empowered.
This way, towards acceptance
where humanity is embraced.
This way, towards love
where individuality is encouraged.