The international mega-star kicked off her set with the mid-tempo “Diamond Heart” and she showed some sass on “A-Yo,” both of which garnered her a raucous response. “C’mon. Put your fucking hands up,” she said. “I don’t give a fuck, let’s go,” she said, and belted out the crowd-favorite “Poker Face.”
Gaga had the audience jumping during “Perfect Illusion,” where the listener could recall Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics. She took her fans on an adventure with “John Wayne.”
“Put your hands in the air. I want to see everybody on your feet,” she commanded, and the Citi Field audience obeyed her wishes. She immediately broke into “Scheiße,” which featured a killer dance routine.
“Alejandro” was a hypnotic vocal, displaying her powerful pipes, and a fun dance routine. After an outfit change, she continued with her breakthrough hit, the infectious “Just Dance.” “I think Judy Garland said it best. There’s no place like home,” Gaga admitted. “Do you remember when the ‘Just Dance’ video came out everybody? It looks like a party in Brooklyn with my friends.” “Thanks so much for making me who I am,” she said, graciously.
She began “LoveGame” a cappella and broke into an electro-pop rendition of the dance anthem, and equally fun was “Telephone.”
Gaga underwent another outfit change, and her vivacious version of “Applause” was pure art. “Put your hands up! Make some noise,” she screamed.
The New York songstress nailed “The Edge of Glory,” where she accompanied herself on piano, and her vocals were simply too good to be mortal. The control she maintained over her soaring voice in this performance was impeccable. “You’ve got to get older to leave your legacy,” she said. “I love you too,” she told her fans. “I’d like to dedicate the rest of this song to anybody who is an artist in this town, who can’t wait to be a star. To all the records you’re going to sell.”
“Put your paws up. Let’s celebrate,” she exclaimed, and delivered an upbeat version of “Born This Way,” as her dancers strapped a dress on her. She continued with “Angel Down,” and “Joanne,” the title track of her fifth studio album, where she played acoustic guitar.
“Bad Romance” was a superb vocal, tremendous dance number, and a tune that she incorporated as a crowd singalong, which became the anthem for Citi Field.
“I’m quite certain after some time now, that I have the best fans in the whole world,” she said, thus praising her “Little Monsters.” “Thank you for being there for me through all the ups and the downs, and for believing always, and thank you for spreading the message of love around the world with the dedication to my music.” “Hands up. C’mon sing along,” she added, and delivered a mellifluous rendition of “The Cure.”
For her encore, Lady Gaga, affectionately known as “Mother Monster,” returned with the power-ballad “Million Reasons,” where she rocked the piano yet again. “Good night, New York City,” she said.
“Gaga’s show was truly mesmerizing,” said esteemed educator Marisa Mathew. “Her vocals were truly amazing, and her performance was gagalicious.”
The Verdict
Overall, Lady Gaga was phenomenal at her homecoming show at Citi Field. Despite taking the stage a few hours late (a little over two hours), it was more than worth the wait. The New York audience was well aware that they were in the presence of a modern pop music goddess. A musical muse in every way, shape and form. Her vocals were heavenly, and she put on a magical live production with her “Joanne World Tour.” Lady Gaga’s Citi Field tour stop garnered five out of five stars.
