New York!

For my birthday, my daughter gave me a ticket to see Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Concert at Madison Square Garden. I immediately began mentally making excuses not to go—too much work, too far to travel, too complicated. Then I bit the bullet and went to New York for the show.

What would I have missed had I stayed home working? A transformative cultural experience. That would have been my loss, despite whatever tasks I might have accomplished at my desk.

I have been attending concerts since the Who opened for Herman’s Hermits (yes, I was young once). After countless shows in theaters, stadiums, and arenas, I grew jaded. I thought having seen some of the best, I was done.

Not so fast.

These concerts are not merely performers singing their songs loudly while audiences cheer. This is an experience like none other: music, costumes, dance, theater, sociology, spectacular lighting, elaborate sets, powerful themes, and above all—generosity of spirit.

The Artist Who Delivers

We have all read about difficult performers who show up angry, battling group dynamics and technical problems. The performance I witnessed had none of those issues and all of the magic. Gaga delayed the concert start by several hours to accept the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, including Artist of the Year. Then she arrived and gave us her heart. She had already put in a whole day’s work, then performed an electrifying two-and-a-half-hour concert. And yes, she incorporated her award statues into one of the acts.

The later start gave us time to enjoy a leisurely dinner and a relaxed entry into Madison Square Garden. The music and performance were exceptional—but you don’t need me to review an exceptional artist’s performance. Of course it was off-the-charts wonderful. What captivated me was the audience and the atmosphere they created with the performer.

London!

The Magic of the Crowd

So many people came dressed as Mayhem characters. There was me in a nice colorful cocktail dress, all the way to the full Lady Mayhem complete with lace mask, crown, and red costume. In my party, the costumes were breathtaking. I felt a bit underdressed, but the show went on.

The audience was gracious and kind. It was delightful to meet so many enthusiastic fans who came to enjoy both the performance and the camaraderie. People stopped to admire costumes and introduce themselves. The atmosphere was electric.

I spotted Gaga’s parents in the audience. They must have been over the moon—awards and adulation: proof that those voice and piano lessons paid off.

Breaking My Own Rules

I loved the NYC concert so much that I made a rash decision: I would see it again in London. I broke my promise not to travel in 2025 and booked a flight. While the NYC concert was out of this world, somehow the London performance exceeded my expectations. The audience’s appreciation and Gaga’s acknowledgment and gratitude were palpable.

The London performance was at O2 Arena, where 20,000 people entered, reached their seats, experienced the magic of the performance, and then miraculously filed out onto the Tube without pushing, shoving, or even loud words. They were gentle and patient—even in the very crowded, shoulder-to-shoulder train cars. Twenty thousand people, some dressed in their finest Mayhem costumes, made their way home peacefully. We were a bit less conspicuous on the return trip than we had been heading to the venue.

Before the concert, I worried about wearing our regalia on the Tube and causing other riders consternation. But Londoners are tactful and uninvolved with the strangers with whom they share the evening commute. A few Gaga fans even cheered us on.

Having just seen the NYC show, I was prepared for excellence. But I wasn’t prepared for excellence multiplied. How can perfection improve? The London audience’s energy was supercharged. They cheered, sang, and hugged their neighbors. The costumes weren’t as over-the-top as in NYC, but some were incredible. This time, I made better plans and packed a crown, cape, and dress in my suitcase. I WAS Lady Mayhem! Although, looking at the pictures – maybe more like Little Red Riding Hood?

The Real Gift

After the performance ended and we returned to my friend’s house in London, I pondered what I’d just experienced. This was more than entertainment—it was an entire sensory event that spoke not only to my musical and dramatic interests but to my soul. To my sense of joy and gratitude.

To those of us who have seen many concerts: go to the new ones. To those who haven’t experienced such events: this is a cultural phenomenon worthy of the cost—even if you don’t dress up and look silly on the Tube or Metro.

I thank Lady Gaga for her generosity in sharing her talents with us and creating an impeccable experience worthy of causing me to break my travel moratorium. I thank my lovely and incredible daughter for inviting me and for such a memorable birthday gift.

Photo Credits: Krasi Henkel