Behind Enemy Lines In Oklahoma

Oklahoma might be the last place you’d expect to find Lady Gaga, but when you can sell out anywhere in the world, why not? Being fans of the inappropriate, we couldn’t think of a better place to take in the experience, and at least we had a shot at press access in the bible belt. We didn’t exactly have to beg our resident pop-aholic Steven Anthony to take on the assignment, who was also tasked with checking out LA “buzz” band Semi Precious Weapons… Who we figure must be doing something right to nab such a high profile gig.

At this point in her career, Lady Gaga really needs no introduction. Love her or hate her, she’s here and is more than likely not going anywhere anytime soon.

She made this clear several times during her set Tuesday night at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center. The Westboro Baptist Church was stationed outside spewing their apocalyptic bullshit, blaming everything on the gays. Yet inside the arena, Gaga was having a love affair with 20,000 people, preaching a message of “love and unity,” in her words. If you love her, she’s all for that; If you hate her, too fucking bad, she’s here to stay.

Despite getting an underwhelming response from the crowd, opening act Semi Precious Weapons did an admirable job, with a tight performance that brought the album versions of songs from their new album You Love You to life without compromise. Under the shadow of Gaga they were just killing time. However, they could very well amaze in their own context, on a smaller, club or theater sized stage, as the band’s hype has suggested.

Lead singer Justin Tranter is an entertaining, androgynous being, fond of theatrics as any Gaga support act would have to be. It slithered around the stage for the entirety of the band’s short set, at times pouring champagne over the first few rows. At one point Tranter stripped down on stage for a costume change… From shiny reflective gold clothing to shiny reflective silver clothing.

Throughout two hours, Gaga provided a run of her biggest hits plus a few deeper album cuts. The show is designed as a five-part “play,” based around Gaga and her friends trying to make it to the “Monster Ball.” Just what the Monster Ball is, we never really learn, but throughout the five acts the “story” attempts to keep concert goers entertained but really just seems like more of an afterthought.

The stage setup was fantastically elaborate of course, at times set up like a grungy backstreet complete with rusty scaffolding and at other times like a creepy forest with bleeding statues. Gaga made sure the crowd would have constant visual stimulation, even going so far as to play Speechless on a piano that was literally on fire.

Towards the end of the show, when Gaga and her friends finally arrive at the Monster Ball, her backup dancers dress entirely in black to control a giant terrifying angler fish which Gaga then fights off with a spark-shooting bra and crotch piece during set-closing performance of Paparrazzi. Yeah, it makes about as much sense in person, but damn if it doesn’t make for an entertaining show.

After she finished performing LoveGame, she whipped out her “disco stick” and went around shining the light on the end at the crowd, examining costumes and commenting on concert-goers. Someone also managed to throw a Cardinals jersey up on stage which she decided to wear, followed by a Yankees cap which she then also put on. Then a fan tossed a book up on stage and Gaga seemed genuinely emotional; It was Rilke’s Letters To A Young Poet, of which she has a passage from tattooed on the inside of her arm. She read from it to the crowd. Only at a Gaga concert.

Unlike most of the pop artists whose concerts I attend, Gaga is a true performer. Her voice sounded absolutely spectacular, and while at times she was performing with backing tracks (a necessary evil for multi-layered pop), she always made sure the crowd knew she was singing live. Oh, and she plays a keytar several times during the show, which is something you can’t pull off unless you’re a real badass. Meanwhile, her full live band was a well-oiled machine, often doing double duty by participating in the choreography.

Gaga spent much of the night proclaiming her love for the LBGT community, something that means a lot to these kids in the conservative state of Oklahoma. She didn’t tone down anything for the show here and several times pointed out that it’s not only okay to be yourself, but that she expects no less from her Little Monsters. During the video introduction, Gaga revealed that she is working with a charity organization to raise money for homeless LBGT kids, and that she would match any money donated to the dollar. Classy stuff, for real.

Gaga’s “Monster Ball” tour is going to be one of the biggest of the year with good reason, and while the ticket prices are high (averaging at $150), they are worth it for any fan of pop music. Gaga is, of course, peerless for the time being, and two hours of Gagaland is probably the most interesting scene you’re going to find inside of a concert arena.

Pictures by Madeline Meibergen.

Semi Precious Weapons Setlist:

Semi Precious Weapons
Put A Diamond In It
Sticky With Champagne
Statues Of Ourselves
Magnetic Baby

Lady Gaga Setlist:

Dance In The Dark
Glitter And Grease
Just Dance
Beautiful Dirty Rich
Vanity, The Fame
LoveGame
Boys Boys Boys
Money Honey
Telephone
Speechless
You And I
So Happy I Could Die
Monster
Teeth
Alejandro
Poker Face
Paparazzi
Bad Romance (Encore)