Lady Gaga
April 2, 2026
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Photo from November 2025 show in Paris, Credit: Nicko Guihal
Write-up by Indiana Stock
Last Thursday, April 2nd 2026, Lady Gaga gave Montreal an amazing show, the first of three nights at the Bell Center, only 10 days away from the end of her MAYHEM Ball tour. A masterful evening of entertainment and epic storytelling that left us saying wow repeatedly.
Last time I saw Lady Gaga, it was 2009, we were celebrating her 23rd birthday at Metropolis at a sold out concert. Her first album had been out for a year, she was an artsy New York club kid with an already strong stage presence and her kick ass charisma. Since then, she has own pop culture with over-the-top showmanship, some bold fashion ideas, and captivating reinvention throughout her different projects. At 40, the artist is now a fan favourite and is known for her master class in creative direction especially when it comes to her live performances.
As 8:30pm approached, you could feel the excitement building through out the Bell Center. The crowd of Little Monsters, as she calls her fans, were a mishmash of newer and older fans, some decked out in their most Gaga-worthy outfits, others in their regular attire, all ready to stand up and sing their heart out.
The evening starts off with Gaga and her alter ego, theMistress of Mayhem, reciting in tandem the Manifesto of Mayhem, the battle between darkness and light inside of her. Followed by the activation of our light-up braceletsection by section, that gave the effect of a wave enveloping us, and lava lighting up the catwalk, bringing us along on a wild Alice in Wonderland type of ride. Lady Gaga was then rolled onto the stage in a 2-story high Lady Macbeth inspired gown, opening the show in the most dramatic of ways, with Bloody Mary. Her skirt opened to reveal a cage like structure filled with dancers. Her opening number set the pace for nearly two and a half hours of fiery energy and big choreography. Set pieces that included a sandbox in which Gaga sang and moved with a skeleton only to then have dancers crawl out from under the sand.Among other things, we were transported to a giant chess match, to a berlin type of night club where we were instructed to Dance or Die and to a gothic version of theQueen of Hearts court with a giant skull. So much to take in, so much to comprehend, so much to enjoy. Put your paws up mes petits monstres.
With her strong voice and her captivating presence, Lady Gaga managed to make it camp without falling in the trap of going corny or too sweet. Gaga also gave herself room to be vulnerable, especially when her addressing the crowdwith kind inclusive words during a more stripped-downpart of the show that started of with her hit Shallow. We were put under a spell.
The MAYHEM Ball is what all theatre kids dream about: a chance to create a gigantic world of beautiful costumes, glittery darkness and wild set pieces. As big as you can imagine it, as bold as you want.
You can tell that Lady Gaga and her phenomenal team spent a lot of time working on every single detail in all aspects of the concert. Something different to see from every angle. Even the costume changes were quick and upbeat. It felt very natural in this operatic world to have short dance interludes in between the acts. Our shiny bracelets gave movement to the whole show, lighting up in coordination with the lighting design. It was the most successful activation of PixMob bracelets I have ever seen. It made all the sections of the arena feel like we were in a colosseum participating in the most colourful of epic battles.
We were gladly a part of Gaga’s twisted world. What a gift to have seen this captivating show, to have been a part of Lady Gaga’s triumph. She transformed the Bell Center into an opera house, where the public were enthralled by all the gothic production details, her chaotic storytelling, her powerful voice as well as her capacity for vulnerability mixed it with her cinematic fierceness. She has won theartistic battle by embracing both sides of mayhem and sharing it with us in an unforgettable way.
We are monsters and monsters never die.