Monster Ball
A story where Gaga and her friends get lost in New York City and must find their way to the Monster Ball (applies only to the revamped 2010 version, not the original 2009 version).
The Monster Ball Tour stands as Lady Gaga's first worldwide concert tour, staged in support of her first EP, The Fame Monster (2009), while largely comprising songs from that recording and her debut album, The Fame (2008). Described by the singer herself as "the first-ever pop electro opera," the production visited various arenas and theaters across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Running between November 2009 and May 2011, the tour performed 201 shows, becoming the highest-grossing tour for a debut headlining artist at the time. It ultimately grossed an estimated US$227.4 million from 201 reported shows, attended by an audience of 2.5 million.
- First Appears
- November 27, 2009
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The tour's narrative evolved significantly after only a few months of touring, as Gaga felt the original concept had been "rushed-through." The initial stage design resembled a hollowed-out television set or a giant cube with forced perspective, intended to control light and focus the audience on the center. However, from 2010 onward, the show adopted a "Big Apple" theme inspired by musical theater. This revamped version told a story of Gaga and her friends lost in New York City, journeying toward the Monster Ball. The original 2009 version did not follow this narrative. The narrative arc mirrored themes of personal growth and human evolution found in The Fame Monster, addressing overexposure and toxic celebrity culture. Acts were separated by video interludes, with each section featuring new outfits and music relating to specific themes, transforming the concert into a piece of musical theater reminiscent of Broadway classics like The Wizard of Oz.
In Their Own Story
The journey began with an original plan for a joint tour with Kanye West called "Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West and Lady Gaga," scheduled to start on November 10, 2009. Following the cancellation of that tour due to creative differences and West's hiatus, Gaga announced the Monster Ball Tour on October 15, 2009. It debuted just four days after The Fame Monster's release, kicking off in Montreal on November 27, 2009. Supporting acts included Kid Cudi from the start, with Jason Derulo joining later on December 28, 2009. A defining visual element was "The Orbit," a gyroscope Gaga wore designed by Nasir Mazhar and Haus of Gaga, first seen on Saturday Night Live. The show featured five distinct acts plus an encore finale. Notable moments included the performance of "Paparazzi," where Gaga collaborated with Matthew Williams to wear her hair braided in a Rapunzel-inspired look while standing on scaffolding with a giant alien dancing behind her.
Reader's Guide
Fans attending this era encountered a show that was divided into five acts, each separated by video interludes and featuring new costumes. The production utilized a unique instrument named "Emma," a custom keytar created by Haus of Gaga, which Gaga described as a hybrid of other instruments. While the original stage looked like a frame inside a box to ensure consistency across venues, the revamped version starting in February 2010 featured a stage four times larger with a completely different concept aimed at bringing back "showbiz." The tour received positive reviews for live vocals and theatrics. To celebrate the success, HBO recorded a special during the February 2011 shows at Madison Square Garden. Titled Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden, it aired in May 2011 and was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 21 of that year.
Did You Know?
- The tour was announced on October 15, 2009, and officially began on November 27, 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Monster Ball?
Monster Ball is not a character but the title of Lady Gaga's second worldwide concert tour, which served as an electro opera supporting her EP The Fame Monster. It debuted on November 27, 2009, and featured narratives about personal growth rather than a fictional persona with its own identity.
What are Monster Ball's powers or role?
The tour functions as a high-energy theatrical production that blends pop music with avant-garde fashion to explore themes of human evolution. Its signature element is the giant Orbit Gyroscope, which acts as a central stage prop symbolizing the journey from darkness to light.
How does Monster Ball's story end?
The narrative arc concludes when Lady Gaga and her entourage navigate through New York City to finally reach the titular ball, marking their transformation. The tour officially ended in May 2011 after over 200 shows, cementing its status as a completed historical event rather than an ongoing story.
Why is Monster Ball important?
It holds the record for being the highest-grossing tour by a debut headlining artist in history, fundamentally changing how pop concerts are produced. The show established Gaga's reputation for combining complex storytelling with spectacular visual artistry on a global scale.
What happens during the New York City journey in the story?
The plot follows Gaga and her friends getting lost in New York City while searching for their way to the Monster Ball event. This journey serves as a metaphorical backdrop for the songs performed, representing the struggles and triumphs of finding one's true self.
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