Lady Gaga Launches Mayhem Ball Tour in Vegas with Dazzling Opening Night

Lady Gaga officially kicked off her highly anticipated 2025 Mayhem Ball tour on 16 July at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, delivering a visually stunning performance that blended tracks from her latest album with fan favourites and long-unheard deep cuts. The North American leg marks her return to large-scale touring following a string of global dates earlier this year.

A Theatrical Pop Experience in Four Acts

From the very first moment, Gaga set the tone for an evening of drama and spectacle. 'Welcome to Mayhem. Welcome... to the opera house. This is my house,' she declared to a roaring crowd.

The show unfolds across four distinct acts, each with a theatrical title such as Every Chessboard Has Two Queens and Of Velvet and Vice. Combining the grandeur of a Broadway production with the high energy of a pop concert, Gaga's performance leans heavily into dark fantasy aesthetics. Stage visuals echoed an Alice in Wonderland-inspired dreamscape, layered with glam-rock influences reminiscent of David Bowie and Marilyn Manson.

Her costume changes included feathered headdresses, black lace bodysuits, sweeping capes, and knee-high boots—all perfectly capturing the chaos and beauty themes woven throughout her Mayhem album.

Setlist Highlights: New Tracks and Rare Returns

The Las Vegas setlist expanded on Gaga's spring Coachella shows, adding several surprises for longtime fans. She performed 'Applause', 'Just Dance' and the fan-favourite 'LoveDrug', while also dusting off 'Summerboy'—a track from her 2008 debut The Fame that had not been performed live in 18 years.

'Kill for Love', a standout from Mayhem, made its live debut. One of the most memorable moments came during 'Shallow', reimagined with a dramatic gondola sequence that saw Gaga suspended above the audience. She also delivered a solo, stripped-back version of her Bruno Mars collaboration 'Die With a Smile', showcasing her vocal prowess and emotional depth.

Intimate Moments Amid the Spectacle

While the show delivered high-concept visuals and bold choreography, Gaga's vocal performance stood out as the true heart of the evening. She brought 'Million Reasons' back to the stage for the first time since 2020, offering a tender, heartfelt rendition that visibly moved the crowd.

Between songs, Gaga occasionally dropped her stage persona to speak candidly to fans as Stefani Germanotta, creating moments of authenticity and emotional connection.

Surprise Encore and Tour Schedule

After closing the main set with the anthemic 'Bad Romance', Gaga surprised the audience with an encore performance of 'How Bad Do U Want Me'. Wearing a vintage Cramps t-shirt, she closed the show with an unexpected touch of punk nostalgia. It was the first time the song served as the final encore on this tour.

TThe show lasted just over two hours and marked the beginning of a tightly curated North American run. Upcoming cities include Seattle, New York, Miami, Toronto and Chicago, with the U.S. leg concluding on 17 September.

From there, the Mayhem Ball tour heads to Europe, opening on 30 September at London's O2 Arena and travelling through Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, before wrapping up on 20 November.

Lady Gaga's Enduring Legacy on Stage

The Mayhem Ball tour reaffirms Lady Gaga's status as one of pop music's most innovative and electrifying live performers. Her unique ability to blend theatre, fashion, powerhouse vocals and raw emotion creates an experience that goes beyond a typical concert.

Gaga's enduring message of self-expression and inclusivity remains front and centre, welcoming every 'Little Monster' into her world with open arms.

With only six North American cities on the itinerary, demand for additional dates is already building. But whether in Las Vegas or London, Gaga's evolving artistry ensures that each stop on the Mayhem Ball will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.