By Ava Geaniotis

Lady Gaga left early from this year’s MTV Video Music Awards held at the UBS Arena on Long Island after receiving her award for Artist of the Year, and then rushed over to a sold-out Madison Square Garden for a stop on her MAYHEM Ball tour.

Now on her eighth concert tour, Gaga continues to bring her best to the stage.  Blending captivating choreography, breathtaking vocals, elaborate props, and extravagant theatrics, Gaga’s The MAYHEM Bal” proves she’s more than a singer, performer, and artist, she is a cultural revolution.  

Fans came dressed for the occasion in re-creations of some of her most renowned looks ranging from the start of her career in 2008 with “The Fame” to her most recent 2025 release, “MAYHEM.”  Walking through Madison Square Garden before seeing the stage felt like being transported into an alternate world—one where Gaga immersed the audience in her own opera house.  It was dark in aesthetic, featuring Gothic architecture and vivid crimsons.  She sang a haunting melody as red lights lit up the venue, leading to the stage where her legendary red velvet dress emerged from backstage.  Immediately, Gaga captured her audience’s attention as she opened with an energetic blend of some of her greatest hits: “Bloody Mary,” “Abracadabra,” “Judas,” and “Aura.”  She then left her dress for the stage, commanding attention as she performed “Scheiße” with powerhouse vocals, intense stage presence and an oversized red feather.  

“You better scream, New York,” she said during the performance. “I know you got it in you!”  

The entire two-and-a-half-hour concert was overflowing with iconic moments.  During “Garden of Eden,” Gaga played guitar surrounded by smoke and dancers.  Later, she picked up the guitar again while singing “The Beast” against red lights and a full moon.  During “Poker Face,” the dark version of her led a victorious dance battle against the light, and during “Paparazzi,” she performed with crutches while wearing a cape that turned rainbow.  For “Killah” and “Zombieboy,” Gaga and her dancers performed in front of a giant skull.  “The Edge of Glory” was her surprise acoustic song of the night.

“The MAYHEM Ball” sign outside of Madison Square Garden.
Photo by Ava Geaniotis

The most unforgettable moment of the night, however, was when she performed “Perfect Celebrity” in her usual box of sand surrounded by skeletons.  This time, she displayed the three VMA trophies she won earlier that evening with her bringing the night full circle.

Following her finale of “Bad Romance,” Gaga returned to the stage without makeup for a tender encore of “How Bad Do U Want Me.”  The show closed with her newest release, “The Dead Dance,” as the performers gave their bows and left the stage.

The MAYHEM Ball is far from finished with an extension of her North American dates into 2026.  Gaga returns to Madison Square Garden on April 13th, 2026, for the final night of her tour.  While getting tickets may be MAYHEM, the show is a must-see for all Little Monsters.