On Sunday, September 7th, global music superstar Lady Gaga brought her “Mayhem Ball” Tour to Madison Square Garden in New York City, where she played for a sold-out venue.
Her MSG show began slightly later than usual, especially since she went to the UBS Arena to accept the award for “Artist of the Year” prior to dashing back to the “World’s Most Famous Arena.”
Lady Gaga: A big winner of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)
Lady Gaga won four MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which included wins for the coveted “Artist of the Year” Award, as well as for “Best Collaboration Video” for “Die with a Smile,” her duet with Bruno Mars; moreover, her “Abracadabra” music video won for “Best Direction” and “Best Art Direction.”
MSG set — Act 1
Lady Gaga kicked off her set with “Bloody Mary,” and instantly broke into the vivacious “Abracadabra,” which became a bombastic dance fest.
It was followed by “Judas,” which was interpolated with “Abracadabra” in a catchy and clever fashion, and the same holds true for “Aura” and “Scheiße,” the latter of which is a standout track from her “Born This Way” album
“Garden of Eden” had a cinematic vibe to it, coupled with a stunning orchestral arrangement to it, and it even featured “Mother Monster” on the guitar; moreover, her classic hit “Poker Face” was sheer bliss.
Act 2
“Perfect Celebrity” was the quintessential newer tune to begin her second act, prior to seguing into “Disease” and the perennial fan-favorite “Paparazzi.”
She continued by playing a “LoveGame” with her fans, affectionately known as “Little Monsters” and belted out “Alejandro,” which had a retro ’80s vibe to it that was addicting.
Act 3
In the third act, she showcased some attitude with “Killah,” as well as “Zombieboy” and “LoveDrug,” prior to having the audience clapping along with her on “Applause” and taking it back old school with “Just Dance,” which is just as relevant today as it was 17 years ago when it was initially released.
Act 4
The fourth act of her show was perhaps her most cohesive and comprehensive. She kicked it off with the newer songs “Shadow of a Man” and “Kill for Love” and it was neat to watch her prowess on guitar on “Summerboy,” where she took listeners on a trip down memory lane to her seminal album “The Fame.”
It was followed by the powerhouse anthem “Born This Way,” as well as the poignant ballad “Million Reasons,” where she displayed her magnanimous vocal range.
Equally gorgeous were her duet vocals “Shallow” and “Die with a Smile” both of which she performed sans Bradley Cooper and Bruno Mars respectively, yet she still triumphed.
Her rendition of “The Edge of Glory” was a soaring piano-laden, acoustic performance, and she closed this portion of the show on a fitting note with “Vanish Into You,” which is a favorite among the fans.
She subsequently returned with a killer take on “Bad Romance,” which felt like a national anthem in its own right.
Encore
For her encore, she went on to perform the infectious “How Bad Do U Want Me,” which is this journalist’s personal favorite tune from her latest studio offering “Mayhem,” prior to concluding with “The Dead Dance,” which is featured on the “Wednesday” Season 2 soundtrack.
Joe Germanotta, owner of Joanne Trattoria and father of Lady Gaga, stated, “Wow… Selling out six shows at Madison Square Garden, and winning ‘Artist of the Year’ at the MTV VMAs in one exciting night, Cynthia and I are blessed to have our children, family and friends.”
Gabby Gabriel, partner of Second Wind Media, remarked, “I’m glad I waited my whole life for this to be my first concert. After Lady Gaga won ‘Artist of the Year’ at the VMAs, it only heightened the anticipation.”
“Experiencing her closing night show in NYC was a privilege I will cherish, and truly a night everyone who was there will always remember,” she added.
Social influencer Faith Hill expressed, “What a ball, what mayhem. Beautiful theatre and a heartfelt performance by our mother Gaga.”
The Verdict
Overall, Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem Ball” Tour at Madison Square Garden was spectacular from start to finish. She was able to perform in all of her musical eras. It was perhaps the greatest concert by a female recording artist this music critic has seen in 2025 (and that says a lot).
The show was an enthralling celebration of love, life, vitality, and human connection; moreover, it was the feel-good escapism that we all need, especially during these trying times that the world is going through.
Lady Gaga commanded the MSG stage for its entire 2.5 hour duration, and the show (and its elaborate, high-scale production) stood out by a mile from an artistic and creative standpoint.
Not only were her vocals resonant and heavenly, but she is a tremendous live performer and song stylist. It is evident that all four of her MTV VMA wins were based on natural talent and merit. Her live set at The Garden garnered five out of five stars. Well done.
“Mayhem” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
For more information on global pop music megastar Lady Gaga, follow her on Instagram, and check out her official homepage.
