GIG REVIEW: Lady Gaga at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
I finally saw Lady Gaga live! It was a really long wait. First, I bought the tickets in early 2017, waiting online with a computer, a mobile and multiple browsers to make sure I could get tickets. It was sold out literally within minutes and I was lucky to score a pair of seated tickets in a good spot! Then, I thought I only had to wait 5 or so months until the concert, but unfortunately Lady Gaga has been ill and she had to postpone her European leg of the tour from October until January 2018. So indeed it was a very long wait!
But lucky us, she came and rocked the stage(s)! There were stages placed in the centre of the floor area and during one part of the show, these bridges came down from the ceiling and Lady Gaga and her dancers came walking over the bridges to the other stages, and finally a stage at the back of the standing area (which was in front of us!) which had her electric grand piano. She laughed at the die hard front row monsters and said that they thought that they were at the front of the stage and now they were at the back!
Although Joanne the album is quite chill compared to her earlier synth pop hits, she still put on a huge show especially for her old hits. It was like a theatre play, like the Wizard of Oz with dancers and costumes! But my favourite moment of course was when she was with just her and the piano. That's when she really shines.
The last song Lady Gaga performed was Million Reasons. She put her pink hat on the side and after the song was over, the piano (and her) started to sink down under the stage and she just disappeared without a word, leaving her pink hat behind. Then the stadium lights turned on. It was so sad because we didn't even have a chance to cheer her or say goodbye. And there was no encore either. Wow, it was such a powerful ending and I felt like a piece of me just left!
Thank you Lady Gaga for putting yourself out there for us, and hope you get well and strong soon.
GIG REVIEW: Ariana Grande at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
I love Ariana Grande so much! The first time I saw her perform was at the MTV EMA 2014 in Glasgow, and she was definitely the highlight of the awards.
It was one of those awkward things where I knew none of my friends would want to go to the concert with me, so I asked on Facebook if anyone would come with me... a friend said her 14 year old daughter would go with me! Well that was better than no one!
On the day of the concert I was extremely sad because I was having a problem with my relationship and I didn't want to talk before the show. I just wanted to enjoy myself and then deal with it. But it became complicated and I was upset on the tram on the way there. Trying to wipe away my tears before meeting my 14 year old friend! We met at Bijlmer and there was another Dutch festival going on at the same time (Oranjefeest or something really trashy) and Burger King was so packed we had to go find food somewhere else. And it was raining so we were running to the food trucks trying to find a cheap burger (ugh).
We got in and found our seats. I went to get drinks and also wanted to buy some merch. The sweaters were all sold out in small sizes so I just bought some tiny badges, and shared half with my friend. She took the Japanese ones.
I loved the concert! I really loved the dancers (Brian and Scott Nicholson), and especially the string players (my favourite: the violinist Chysanthe Tan who I have been following on Instagram and Twitter every day during the tour). Ariana was amazing as expected. She's such a talent.. ever since I saw her YouTube video singing Imogen Heap's Just For Now with the loop machine I have so much respect.
After the show I was tweeting with Chrysanthe Tan and Adrienne Woods (the cellist) mocking Adrienne for poking the air with her bow off-beat. Chrysanthe stuck up for her saying that she was just doing it a different angle and she was 'slicing the air' instead of 'stabbing'. hahaha I know they thought I was annoying.
I'm openly an Arianator and have been and will be promoting Ariana forever. Even if she licks a donut... I don't care. I'll defend her :)
