In a dazzling resurgence at Coachella 2025, Lady Gaga made herself the main character of the festival’s narrative. Gaga wasn’t just performing, she was actively resurrecting the very essence of performance art in concert music,returning to her roots with a focus on immersive, theatrical experiences. Her Coachella performance encompassed various aspects, showcasing a gothic, visually stunning show with a chess battle, and incorporated new songs from her album “MAYHEM” alongside older hits.
While Gaga is famously known for her dramatic concerts, in the past couple of years, music artists and performers’ creativity has dulled. There have been various cases where pure lack of creativity and risk-taking has resulted in fans of certain artists being left disappointed with the performances they were given for hundreds of dollars.
Concerts are supposed to be a musical experience where people can jump around, laugh and enjoy their favorite artists with others who share the same love. However, it’s saddening that recent concerts have disappointed fans due to the visual aspects of their concerts not being worth the price.
Despite the rather common trend of dull performances, there are a few spectacular artists who have consistently brought their A-Game to their concerts. Taylor Swift, Benson Boone, Beyoncé and, as seen from Coachella, Lady Gaga.
Gaga’s performances are a fusion of avant-garde theater, high fashion that leaves fans dissecting the true meaning in each swipe of fabric and raw musical talent, creating an immersive experience that captivates audiences.
But Gaga’s excellence in the performing arts doesn’t just stem from her onstage decisions. Her commitment to narrative and character in her shows elevates her concerts beyond a mere showing of songs. She crafts intricate stories that reflect her and others’ lives, using costumes, sets and choreography to weave tales that resonate deeply with everyone viewing. Her approach to storytelling through her songs and performances not only entertains, but also invites her viewers to engage deeply with the themes and emotions of her songs. She even hosted a concert in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 3, 2025, that had garnered incredible amounts of fans that did not have to pay a single dime to witness her magic in action. Her ability to attract over two million fans without any promotion towards the performance speaks volumes to her abilities.
On the other side of the coin, Gaga’s influence extends much more beyond her own performances.
By bringing unique, sometimes questionable, performances to the table that leave audiences in awe, she inspires a new generation of artists to truly embrace their identity through their music. Her shows leave artists influenced to step into themselves theatrically and genuinely use the conceptual depth of their songs to tell their own stories.
By pushing boundaries and defying expectations, no matter what they are, Lady Gaga is not only revitalizing her career and the stage, but also igniting a broader cultural shift towards more imaginative and daring live performances. In her own unique way, Gaga is bringing performance back to the stage.
