Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour 2011 in Tampa, FL: All You Wanted to Know But Couldn't Go - For All The Little Monsters

I had the fantastical privilege of attending Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour last night in Tampa, FL. I figured I would go ahead and give a review of the Monster Ball to all of you little monsters who could not make it. Don't feel too sad because you missed it, then again...I would be sad if I were you! I know that's a bit harsh, but Lady Gaga's show was beyond unbelievable...it was absolutely, one hundred percent phenomenal! If you are a big follower and die-hard fan of Lady Gaga, you are definitely wondering what type of costumes did she wear, which songs did she sing, and what the sets were like. Well, I will be generous and share the Monster Ball love with my fellow little monsters. It has been less than a day since the Tampa Monster Ball show and there are already AMAZING videos being posted on youtube of Lady Gaga's performance last night at the St. Pete Times Forum. I have even posted a few throughout this hub. Get ready to SHOW ME YOUR TEETH!!!

It's 9:55 pm and we have been anxiously awaiting Lady Gaga's triumphant arrival to the St. Pete Times stage for almost two excruciating hours. I have my drink in my hand, so I am appeased to some degree; however, I am craving Lady Gaga in all her gorgeous glory...waiting is getting quite torturous at this point. We have already heard the semi-drag queen lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons sing his fishnetted-buns off to his catchy yet alternative song - "F&$* The Dancefloor". They were amusing, but I could feel the excitement coming in waves from the crowd that filled up the St. Pete forum. The vibe read one way - we want Gaga and we want her now! Then...it finally happens. The lights go down to an ultimate low. I can barely see my best friend sitting beside me. A dim light shines from behind the stage curtain and a single illuminated silhouette appears. Could it be? Yes, it is she...the Mother Monster herself...Lady Gaga. The teasing behind the curtain ensues as the Monster Ball crowd grows more and more amped up, awaiting Gaga's emergence from the stage's veil. "Dance in the Dark", from The Fame Monster album, is streaming through the speakers and a single vibrant voice is radiating through the stadium.

The curtain finally lifts and Lady Gaga is dancing on a platform, decked out in true Lady Gaga style, with purple shimmery fabric tightly encasing her lean, rockin' bod. Hanging beside the Gaga's platform are two large neon-lit signs, one reads "SexyUgly" and the other "Liquor". The Monster Ball stage is set for an enthralling introduction, fully equipped with a monster truck and sexy dancers. Following this dazzling introduction, Lady Gaga is now leaning against the broken down monster truck (of course after she lifts the hood and heals the dying engine). Gaga spins around and what do we hear? "Oh, Red One....Gaga....I've had a little bit too much." The Monster Ball forum goes crazy, as Gaga spins around and performs "Just Dance", the song that brought her onto the main music scene.

At this point, I am more than enjoying myself...I am psyched! I am totally caught up in the moment and I feel as if I have been swallowed by the crowd's energy and excitement. If anyone was too far from the stage, there were two large flat screens constantly fixed on Lady Gaga. An estimated twenty thousand fans showed up for Lady Gaga's Monster Ball that night...and I can guarantee that every single one of her fans was dancing wildly and losing their inhibitions...less than two full songs into Lady Gaga's act.

The time begins soaring by, as the stadium's eyes are literally plastered on the stage and more particularly on Lady Gaga's ever-changing costumes and scenes. If you were wondering what songs does Lady Gaga perform in the Monster Ball Tour, well...she does them all! She leaves no stone unturned as she mixes in her older hits with some of her upcoming album's yet-to-be-downloaded treasures, not forgetting the Monster Ball's anthem - Born This Way. As far as Gaga's older hits go: Dance in the Dark, Speechless, Just Dance, Telephone, Pokerface, Monster, LoveGame, and Teeth were all covered.

I have to admit something to you all, before I came to this show I had an idea that Lady Gaga was a talented artist; however, I had NO idea HOW talented she really is! Not only can this twenty-five-year-old dance with the best of them all over the stage, she does this while hitting some of the highest and most powerful notes with her pipes that I have ever witnessed at a concert! Did I mention that she is also a captivating motivational speaker? Don't believe me? Well, believe it. The connection that Lady Gaga made with her fans, or "Little Monsters" (as she likes to call us) throughout the Monster Ball was nothing less than sheer brilliance. Between each song and each set, Gaga would talk to the audience about different topics - some serious current event topics and others witty and entertaining. Between one set she looks at the crowd and says, "by the way, do you like my hair? Well, it's a weave." The audience of the Monster Ball screams and everyone can't help themselves but to giggle a little.

At one of the most thrilling parts in Lady Gaga's show, she walks out onto the center stage (which is a long strip of stage extending out into the audience) and she proceeds to pick up random items that have been thrown onto stage from the stadium's floor. One item - a thong with Lady Gaga's face glued to the front. Gaga's comment on that article was, "Oh, look! Just in case you forget who your favorite pop star is..." and she holds it up to herself and smiles. The next item - a letter enveloped in a piece of fake, fabric-made slice of pizza (I assume this is a New York thing?). Gaga reads the letter and it is from a man who claims that she has "saved" him. Gaga looks around the crowd in search for this fan and locates him...towards the front wearing a white Lady Gaga t-shirt, in full gay-pride glory. A conversation occurs between Gaga and the man-fan and she sings Happy Birthday to him! Can you imagine how amazing that would be to have Lady Gaga herself sing Happy Birthday to you? Well, I am fairly positive that this was a moment in which this man will talk about for the rest of his life. Then, a third item is picked up in Gaga's hand and...she laughs...quite sarcastically. It's a Barbie doll...a half-naked Barbie. Gaga's response to the dishevelled toy? She bites off the Barbie's head in an effort to show the crowd what she "thinks about society's portrayal of what beauty is." How can anyone not fall in love with this woman?

During a brief intermission, Gaga appears on the big screens in her black-leather, spiky biker outfit and her uncompromisingly sultry voice speaks to the crowd. A number appears on the screen and Gaga tells the crowd that for each text she receives, she will donate twenty thousand dollars to her favorite charity (which is a charity for the homeless youth of America). Extraordinary talent, undeniable artistic passion, intelligence, and compassion for the world? She must be the next Mother Theresa! Well, maybe a little more of a risqué nun.

My absolute favorite part of the entire Monster Ball would have to be when Gaga sits down at the piano (which by the way has a tornado of fire raging on it's top) and she sings "You and I" while showing her out-of-this-world skill on the ivories. You can watch a video of that particular performance here...trust me, you will be moved by this performance. The stadium is a little more silent during this moment, and everyone feels as if Lady Gaga is singing her song only for them. She cleverly throws in her shout-outs for the city of Tampa throughout the song and pulls her audience into a state of bliss through her illuminating vocals and gorgeous tunes on the piano. Well, just watch it and you will know exactly what I am talking about.

In addition to Gaga's alien-like talents, her theatrics were nothing less than genius, as well. Between switching costumes (I would estimate a minimum of twenty times), Miss Gaga plays different instruments including guitar, the long-string bass and the key-tar (pictured to the right). The scene on the stage seems to be on an invisible revolving floor, as the settings constantly change. We saw an intro scene with a broken-down monster truck and liquor-bar neon signs, we saw a scene with Gaga and her dancers dancing in and out of a subway car, and later during the show we saw Lady Gaga fight off a gigantic (at least twenty feet tall, towering over her little body) "fame monster" to the song Paparazzi.

Gaga's artistic ability and limitless, yet twisted creativity takes a bloody turn in one scene. The yellow-haired, beautiful bombshell emerges from the dark...crimson smears up and down her pale torso. I honestly have to confess that I do not recall what song she was performing, it was possibly Alejandro but I was so bewitched by her passion and performance that my mind was in a trance. I think my mouth was moving, but I cannot remember what it was singing! Is Lady Gaga's performance over the top? Of course! But that's what separates an artist/musician from just a singer. The fact is that Lady Gaga writes her own lyrics, has a say in her fashion and costume designs, and guess what else? She NEVER lip syncs any of her songs! It was quite strange that five minutes after the moment that I had pondered this one thought, Miss Gaga's voice resonates through the microphone and out of the speakers, stating with a flaming passion, "Just in case you were wondering if I ever lip sync my songs on stage - well, the answer is no. I will never be some rich b*&@h faking my way through a performance!" And let me just tell you that Gaga was not merely talking at that point, her voice was bigger than the stadium.

Lady Gaga's presence on that stage was so electrifying and captivating that I found myself torn...should I go to the bathroom and risk missing even a minute of Lady Gaga or should I stay at my comfortable spot and say screw it and pee my pants? It was a mental battle that ensued at least twice throughout the entire concert...each time my bladder won the argument; however, that's not to say that I didn't jet back to my spot once I had finished my business and washed my hands. I did not want this show to end...I wanted to see more of this woman...this twenty-five-year-old phenomena...singing her guts out and pouring her entire soul out onto the stage for the whole city of Tampa to see...for the world to see. But unfortunately, all Monster Balls must come to an end...

The magic was not fading, though the Ball was coming to a tragic end. I had heard all of my favorite Lady Gaga songs, but my heart was not content...and why? I hadn't heard Bad Romance...possibly one of my most adored songs of all time. The lights go down and the curtain shuts...my best friend and I actually leave the main floor to head to our cars...like idiots. Why didn't I remember that all good artists do an encore at the end? Too many beers, maybe? Perhaps...as we were walking past the soda stands, a familiar sound rattles the walls and undulates through the forum halls. "Ra ra ah ah ahh, Ro ma ro ma ma, Gaga oohh-la-la, want your bad romance!" We dart back to our seats, just in time to see Mommy Monster give her cubs a much-craved encore...and literally ending the song with a bang...from her torpedo bra!

If you have ever seen Lady Gaga perform live and still do not fall in love with her courage, creativity, and unique beauty...there is something to be said about people like you. You are just a hater...and you will never understand what it's like to be a Little Monster for life. If you are a Lady Gaga fan, then I encourage you to save your money and spend it on tickets to the Monster Ball...an experience to be talked about for the rest of your life. A little warning though to the moms and dads that are debating on taking their child or children to see Lady Gaga, I wouldn't recommend it. This is definitely an r-rated show...entertaining and great for a more mature crowd...not too appropriate to take your child, pre-teen or even teenager to. Wait and take them on their eighteenth birthday...I guarantee Miss Gaga will be around for many years to come.

I guess there's only one thing left to say: Put your Paws up, because You Were Born this Way!