Lady Gaga's "The Monster Ball" tour in Las Vegas, 07/13/2010

Like her, or hate her, she is probably the hottest star in the world, right now.

I saw her "Monster Ball" tour in Las Vegas, this last Friday night.
This show was as much visual, as it was musical. She had an elaborate stage, complete with a large fame monster. This large stage prop tried to attack her during the song "PAPARAZZI". She changed outfits many times in the nearly two hours she played.
The show was opened by a group called SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS.
They, music wise, seemed kind of a mismatch for Gaga's style of music.
The singer though, seemed like he may be as much of a statement for the LGBT crowd, than for his musical prowess. Lady did not take the stage until nearly 45 minutes until after the opening act ended, The crowd seemed very non-confrontational, and mellow.
Besides being musical, and visual, Lady Gaga tried to put out a message. The message was to try to be comfortable with who you are, no matter what is wrong with you, and whatever way you might be sexually oriented.
She played many familiar tunes, if you listen to pop music, today. She did nearly every song you wanted her to play. The stage was very glitzy, and she had probably 10-15 back up dancers.
So, why was this not my favorite show of the year?
Despite her enormous talent, I felt she pandered too much. She spent more time trying to get the crowd to see how cool she is, than letting it be just about music.
The whole show, though brilliant in many ways, seemed like a young girl who just wanted people to like her. Her outrageous costumes, her nearly half-naked outfits, just, screamed I need to see A PSYCHIATRIST, and be analyzed.
Maybe part of Gaga's appeal is that she is a young girl, searching for connection, and she is getting it from nearly 20,000 or more fans, every night.
Time will tell, if she is more flash, than substance. There definitely is some substance there.
I am glad I got to see this show, for the fact that she is THE MOST TALKED ABOUT PERSON in the music industry, right now.
That being said, this is not an artist I, personally, would care to see again.
All in all, well worth the money of an admission, though.