Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball tour, launched in 2025, has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences with its bold creativity, emotional depth, and unforgettable performances. One of the standout moments from this tour is Gaga’s electrifying performance of Born This Way, a song that remains a powerful anthem for self-acceptance and love. This article explores the MAYHEM Ball tour in detail, focusing on its themes, production, and the iconic performance of Born This Way, all written in simple British English.
The MAYHEM Ball Tour: An Overview
The MAYHEM Ball is Lady Gaga’s eighth concert tour, supporting her 2025 album Mayhem. After the album’s massive success, Gaga announced the tour on 26 March 2025, surprising fans who thought she would only perform a few promotional concerts. The tour began on 16 July 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is set to conclude on 30 January 2026 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, covering 63 shows across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Unlike her previous stadium-heavy tours, Gaga chose arenas for this tour to maintain full creative control over the production, resulting in a more intimate and detailed show.
The tour builds on Gaga’s earlier 2025 performances, including her headlining set at Coachella and a massive free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, which drew 2.5 million people, the largest crowd of her career. Titled The Art of Personal Chaos, the MAYHEM Ball is a theatrical journey through Gaga’s inner struggles, exploring themes of light versus darkness, self-acceptance, and resilience. Critics have praised the tour for its stunning visuals, intricate choreography, and Gaga’s powerful vocals, calling it a “breathless, finely tuned spectacular” and a “crowning moment” in her career.
The Story and Themes of the MAYHEM Ball
The MAYHEM Ball is structured as a rock opera, divided into four acts and a finale, each with its own distinct look and emotional tone. The show tells the story of Gaga battling her inner demons, represented by a character called the Mistress of Mayhem. This narrative of inner conflict and eventual harmony is woven through the performance, with Gaga’s “light” side (an angelic, innocent persona) facing off against her “dark” side (a gothic, chaotic figure). By the end, the two sides merge, symbolising self-acceptance and the beauty of embracing one’s flaws.
The stage, designed like a gothic opera house, transforms with LED screens and elaborate props, immersing audiences in Gaga’s world. The show features moments of high drama, such as Gaga emerging in a massive red hoop dress or dancing with skeletons during Zombieboy. These theatrical elements, combined with choreography by Parris Goebel, create a visually stunning experience that feels like a Broadway production. The tour also uses innovative technology, like Pixmob bracelets, to involve the audience, making them feel part of the story.
The Performance of Born This Way
One of the most powerful moments in the MAYHEM Ball is Gaga’s performance of Born This Way, her 2011 anthem of self-love and acceptance. Performed during the fourth act, titled To Wake Her Is to Lose Her, the song comes after a heartfelt speech about embracing one’s true self. Gaga leads her dancers to the B-stage, where a piano is set up, and delivers a rousing rendition that has audiences singing along.
During her New York City shows at Madison Square Garden, starting on 22 August 2025, Gaga added a special touch by wearing an oversized biker jacket from the Born This Way album photoshoot, designed by New York-based label Tom Tom Fashion. This nostalgic nod thrilled fans, especially as she performed Hair, another Born This Way track, as a surprise for her hometown crowd. The performance of Born This Way is particularly moving in 2025, given the ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights, with Gaga dedicating the song to the queer community, saying, “This show was made with love for you, because we need the world to love right now.”
The song’s choreography is vibrant and inclusive, with dancers representing diverse identities, reinforcing its message of unity. Gaga’s vocals soar, blending raw emotion with theatrical flair, making Born This Way a highlight of the show. Fans have described the performance as “jubilant” and “cathartic,” with the audience chanting along to the song’s empowering lyrics.
The Setlist and Musical Highlights
The MAYHEM Ball’s 28-song setlist is a mix of new tracks from Mayhem and hits from Gaga’s earlier albums, including The Fame, The Fame Monster, Born This Way, Artpop, Joanne, and A Star Is Born. Notably, no songs from her 2020 album Chromatica are included, a choice that surprised some fans but allowed Gaga to focus on her new work and classic hits. Key performances include:
- Abracadabra: A gothic, high-energy opener from Mayhem, setting the tone for the show’s chaotic energy.
- Killah: A campy, cathartic track performed in front of a giant rotating skull, with fans joining in a collective scream.
- Shallow: Reimagined as a somber ballad, sung while Gaga floats down the catwalk in a gondola.
- Paparazzi: Featuring a rainbow flag lighting up Gaga’s flowing train, symbolising pride and inclusion.
- Bad Romance: The explosive finale, with Gaga and her dancers in white Elizabethan attire, simulating a medieval operation.
Gaga also surprises fans with rare performances, like Summerboy from The Fame and Million Reasons from Joanne, showcasing her ability to blend nostalgia with fresh material.
Critical and Fan Reception
The MAYHEM Ball has received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. Rolling Stone called it a “gothic dream” that expands on Gaga’s Coachella performance, while The New York Times praised Gaga’s “campy, excessive, and emotional” show as a career-defining moment. Billboard highlighted the tour’s high-concept storytelling and Gaga’s connection with her fans, known as Little Monsters, who arrive in elaborate outfits inspired by the Mayhem album’s black-and-red aesthetic.
Fans have been particularly moved by Gaga’s openness about her struggles with fibromyalgia, which had previously forced her to cancel tours. During the MAYHEM Ball, she revealed she performed with less pain than in years, boosting her confidence and energy on stage. This personal triumph adds an emotional layer to the show, with Gaga frequently thanking her fans for their support, saying, “I love you more and more every year.”
The Impact of the MAYHEM Ball
The MAYHEM Ball is more than a concert; it is a celebration of individuality, resilience, and community. Its message of embracing one’s “chaos” resonates deeply in 2025, a time when many face personal and societal challenges. Gaga’s dedication to the queer community, evident in her performance of Born This Way and her rainbow flag displays, creates a safe space for fans to express themselves.
The tour’s commercial success is also remarkable, with Billboard estimating it could gross between £80 million and £100 million, making it Gaga’s biggest tour in over a decade. Sold-out shows in cities like New York, London, and Tokyo reflect Gaga’s enduring popularity and her ability to connect with audiences worldwide.
As the MAYHEM Ball continues its global journey, it promises to leave a lasting mark on Lady Gaga’s legacy. The tour’s blend of theatricality, emotional storytelling, and powerful performances like Born This Way showcases Gaga at the peak of her artistry. For fans, it is a chance to witness a pop icon who continues to evolve while staying true to her roots.
Whether you are a longtime Little Monster or new to Gaga’s world, the MAYHEM Ball is a must-see experience. With its stunning visuals, heartfelt moments, and anthems like Born This Way, the tour reminds us all to embrace who we are and celebrate life’s chaos.
