Lady Gaga’s return to the UK stage has never been so dramatic—or so full of surprises. On Monday, September 29, 2025, the global pop icon kicked off the UK and European leg of her highly anticipated Mayhem Ball tour at London’s O2 Arena, marking the beginning of a sold-out run that promises to be as much a theatrical spectacle as a musical event. Fans, known affectionately as her Little Monsters, were treated not only to a marathon setlist spanning two decades of hits, but also to a show rich with gothic flair, personal reflection, and a few unexpected guests.
According to The Arts Shelf, the opening night in London was the first of four consecutive shows at The O2, with additional dates set for Manchester’s Co-op Live. Tickets for these UK shows sold out rapidly, underscoring Gaga’s enduring appeal and the feverish anticipation surrounding her latest creative endeavor. The Mayhem Ball isn’t just a concert—it’s a conceptual world, first glimpsed at Coachella earlier this year, now brought to life in arenas across the globe with a level of intimacy and detail that stadium shows simply can’t match.
“I wasn’t planning to tour this year after my shows in Singapore, but the incredible response to the new album inspired me to keep things going,” Gaga explained in her tour announcement, as reported by BBC. “It came together super quickly thanks to Arthur Fogel and the amazing team at Live Nation, who planned a global tour in just a few weeks. We chose arenas this time to give me the opportunity to control the details of the show in a way you simply can’t in stadiums—and honestly, I can’t wait. This show is designed to be the kind of theatrical and electrifying experience that brings MAYHEM to life exactly how I envision it. The MAYHEM Ball Tour is officially coming your way. See you soon, monsters.”
Gaga’s seventh studio album, Mayhem, released on March 7, 2025, served as the catalyst for this tour. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her seventh consecutive solo chart-topper, and dominated the Dance/Electronic Albums chart for an impressive 17 weeks, as highlighted by The Arts Shelf. The album’s lead single, “The Dead Dance,” found new life on stage thanks to a surprise collaboration that sent social media into a frenzy: Emma Myers and Evie Templeton, stars of the Netflix hit Wednesday, joined Gaga onstage, pirouetting in ethereal bridal gowns before launching into choreography from the show’s second season. Their cameo, as described by BBC’s Mark Savage, delighted fans and added a layer of pop culture synergy to the event.
“There’s something electric about a stadium, and I love every moment of those shows. But with The MAYHEM Ball, I wanted to create a different kind of experience—something more intimate—closer, more connected—that lends itself to the live theatrical art I love to create,” Gaga said in a press release, capturing the spirit of the tour’s design.
The show itself is nothing short of operatic. From the opening moments—Gaga dancing atop a human skull, buried in a shallow grave, or serenading a corpse—the concert plunges the audience into a gothic fever dream. The narrative, loosely structured but deeply felt, pits Gaga’s inner angels and demons against each other in a battle for her soul. The stagecraft is as ambitious as ever: at one point, Gaga hobbles across the stage on crutches, snarling during a stripped-down “Paparazzi,” only to be liberated by the crowd’s adoration. In another, she faces off against a doppelgänger in a nod to her legendary 2010 Brit Awards appearance, demanding, “off with her head!” as she confronts her own past persona.
According to BBC, the show is a reckoning with Gaga’s career and personal struggles, particularly her battle with fibromyalgia—a condition that causes chronic pain and has, at times, threatened her ability to perform. The tension between her light and dark sides plays out visually and musically throughout the night, with the setlist weaving together classics like “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” and “Bad Romance” with new tracks such as “Abracadabra,” “Die With A Smile,” and “Disease.” Each song is reimagined with a gothic edge, featuring industrial guitar riffs and haunting synths that give even the most familiar hits a fresh, theatrical twist.
The full setlist, as reported by The Arts Shelf and BBC, includes 29 songs, ranging from crowd-pleasers like “Born This Way” and “Shallow” to deep cuts and new favorites. Fans were especially thrilled by impromptu renditions of “Speechless” and “The Edge of Glory,” performed at the piano as Gaga floated down the catwalk in a gondola, seeking sanctuary from the chaos of the main stage.
Throughout the performance, Gaga’s connection with her fans was palpable. “My first big arena show was in the UK,” she told the audience, according to BBC. “You believed in me then. Thank you for believing in me now. No matter what, we’ve found each other through the music and through community.” The emotion in the arena was undeniable, with fans singing along to every word and Gaga herself wiping away tears as the night drew to a close.
After two and a half hours of non-stop spectacle, the show’s finale saw Gaga wheeled out on a hospital gurney by dancers in red plague doctor costumes—a nod to the show’s themes of rebirth and transformation. In true Gaga fashion, she sprang back to life for a cathartic rendition of “Bad Romance,” leaving the audience both exhilarated and emotionally spent. “It’s been almost 20 years,” she reflected. “But I want to make a pact with some of you. If I come back 20 years from now, will you come to the show? You gotta promise me now, otherwise I’m just gonna roll up with a keyboard, and I’ll be playing on the street. I’ll be here no matter what.”
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball continues its journey across Europe, with dates in Stockholm, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Lyon, and Paris before heading to Australia and Japan. North American fans can look forward to shows beginning in February 2026. With each performance, Gaga reaffirms her status as one of pop music’s most daring and inventive artists—never content to rest on her laurels, always ready to bring a little mayhem to the stage.
For those lucky enough to snag a ticket, the Mayhem Ball isn’t just a concert—it’s a reminder of why, after nearly two decades, Lady Gaga remains at the peak of her powers and continues to find new ways to connect, astonish, and inspire.
