Promotional tour by Lady Gaga | |
Associated album | Joanne |
---|---|
Start date | October 5, 2016 |
End date | October 27, 2016 |
Legs | 1 |
No. of shows | 3 |
Lady Gaga concert chronology |
The Dive Bar Tour was a promotional concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga, sponsored by American lager brand Bud Light, in support of her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). The tour visited three dive bars in the United States on the 5, 20 and 27 of October in 2016. Gaga aspired to perform her new songs in a more intimate environment than her previous tours, which took place in arenas and stadiums, believing the small bars captured the "raw Americana vibe" of Joanne. During her gigs, Gaga debuted numerous songs from her then-upcoming album, and shared personal stories with the audience. Journalists appreciated the tour for its simplicity and found it emotional. All shows were live streamed on Bud Light's Facebook page.
On October 21, 2016, Lady Gaga released her fifth studio album, Joanne , which marked her return to pop music after 2014's Cheek to Cheek , a collaborative jazz record with Tony Bennett. [1] It was largely inspired by her aunt Joanne Stefani Germanotta, who died at age 19 due to complications arising from lupus. [2] Joanne was described as Gaga's first album which dipped into such genres as soft rock and country. [3] [4] Before its release, Gaga announced teaming up with American lager brand Bud Light to perform songs from it in front of very small crowds in dive bars across the United States, marking the "new chapter in her career". [5] She believed that the venues would accentuate the "raw Americana vibe" of her upcoming album. [6]
"My first performances were in dive bars in New York City and around the country, so working with Bud Light to go back to my roots to perform songs from my new album Joanne is such an exciting way to connect with my fans and share this music with them for the first time".
– Gaga talking about the tour in a press release [6]
Gaga aimed to be close enough to her audience to be able to look into their eyes while performing, "to have a more natural human experience" with them, something which was not possible on her stadium and arena shows. [7] She later further elaborated on her decision to give stipped-down performances after her numerous tours involving "massive" productions and multiple costume changes, saying: "It's not so much about taking it all off for the sake of it, like, 'Here I am, I had all these costumes before and now I don't!' But to begin all of this, we're going to wind back the clock – to the day I decided when I was 19 that I was going to go live the rest of the life that Joanne didn't get to live." [8]
Gaga and Bud Light's collaboration was advertised with a number of TV spots, which included snippets of previously not heard tracks from the new album. [9] [10] Prior the tour, it was reported that the audience would be made up of winners of an unknown contest, and all shows would be live streamed on Bud Light's Facebook page. The locations of the shows were kept a secret, and passes were given to the selected audience members only shortly before each show took place, to avoid large groups of people turning up, who wouldn't be able to fit into the small clubs. [5] [11] The Dive Bar Tour visited three bars in Nashville, New York City and Los Angeles, on 5, 20 and 27 of October 2016, respectively. [12] [13] [14] According to People , hearing impaired people representing the group Not Impossible were invited to the first concert, in Nashville, who were introduced to a "groundbreaking technology" that included "a custom vest, wristbands and ankle bands that vibrated in time with the music." In addition, all songs were performed in sign language by famed interpreter Amber Gallego. [15]
In June 2017, Gaga announced to revive the tour for an additional concert the following month. [16] The show, intended to take place in a Las Vegas bar, was later indefinitely postponed and then cancelled because of scheduling conflicts due to rehearsals for the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018). [17] For Bud Light, Gaga's shows marked the beginning of further Dive Bar Tour gigs in similar small venues with other artists, such as John Mayer, G-Eazy, and Post Malone. [18] [19]
For her Nashville show, at The 5 Spot, Gaga took the stage in a black and gold jacket and a pink hat with matching rhinestone-bedecked hat band. She sat down and started performing "Sinner's Prayer" while strumming an acoustic-guitar, before her band started to play their instruments. For "A-Yo", she stood up and played an electric guitar. After asking the audience to call her Joanne for the night, she invited Hillary Lindsey on stage, with whom she co-wrote two songs for the Joanne album. They then performed "Million Reasons" together, as the track's live premier. For the final song, "Perfect Illusion", Gaga removed the hat and jacket, and danced around the stage in a crop top, while whipping her ponytail around. [12] [15] [20]
At The Bitter End, in New York City, Gaga donned a see-through shirt, emblazoned with the logo of tour sponsor Bud Light, and jean shorts. After debuting the track "Diamond Heart", she invited Mark Ronson on stage, who served as Joanne's co-executive producer. They performed "A-Yo" together, with both of them playing electric guitar. Gaga then shared the story of her late aunt Joanne with the audience, and how her death impacted her family. She performed the song named after her while playing acoustic guitar, and dedicated it to her father. She called Lindsey on stage, telling the public how they wrote the following song, "Grigio Girls", together. Gaga then dedicated it to her friend, Sonja, who was battling cancer and was present in the audience. "Million Reasons" and "Just Another Day" were performed with Gaga playing a piano. [13] [21] After the concert was over, Gaga went on to the roof of the bar using the fire escape, where she reprised "Joanne" and sang "Angel Down" to the crowd standing outside, who were unable to get in due to the limited capacity of the venue. [9] [22] [23]
The final show in Los Angeles's the Satellite started with Gaga walking through the audience with two of her dancers while performing "Come to Mama". They were dressed in matching jackets with two letters written on each of them, which made up the word Joanne when they stood next to each other. After performing "A-Yo", for which she was again joined on stage by Ronson, Gaga debuted the new song "John Wayne". She then thanked her global audience for purchasing the track "Million Reasons" and performed it. After giving a speech about the importance of love and respect, she sang "Angel Down" and changed its lyrics to reference shooting victim Trayvon Martin in the outro of the song. Talking about her family led to a performance of "Joanne". Before singing the final song, "Perfect Illusion", Gaga changed into a white crop top and denim shorts. During the performance, she crowd-surfed and poured beer onto her head. [14] [24] [25]
Reviewing Gaga's Nashville performance, Jewly Hight of Billboard opined that the Dive Bar Tour is "a return to her humble performing roots" and an "experiment with transforming how she presents her music and herself." She added that "judging from Wednesday's show, Gaga's latest reinvention has her embracing emotional directness, and coming from her, that too packs a punch." [12]
After attending the show at New York City, Vanity Fair 's Yohana Desta wrote that "the show featured some of Gaga's best characteristics: strong vocals, dedicated performance, coaxed emotions (she seemed to tear up at certain parts of the night, inspiring some fans to tear up too)." She highlighted her performance of "Just Another Day", "in which the singer hammed it up behind the piano, resting her foot on the instrument in a trademark move", and Gaga's impromptu performance on the bar's roof as the most memorable parts of the show. [21]
LA Weekly 's Eve Barlow reviewed the concert in Los Angeles, and called it "bonkers" to watch "one of the world's biggest superstars in a room with just 300 people", and appreciated the opportunity to get to see her up close, which was not possible with her stadium-sized shows. She added that "her set runs through emotions the way musicals move through scenes", while believing that "at the age of 30 she seems to have left some of the poses of her 20s behind, [...] she remains pure theater, a one-woman Annie Get Your Gun ." [26]
Note: After the performance, Gaga reprised "Joanne" and performed "Angel Down" on the roof of the bar to the crowd outside. [22]
Date | City | Country | Venue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America [5] [27] [28] | ||||||
October 5, 2016 | Nashville | United States | The 5 Spot | |||
October 20, 2016 | New York City | The Bitter End | ||||
October 27, 2016 | Los Angeles | The Satellite | ||||
Date | City | Country | Reason |
---|---|---|---|
July 13, 2017 | Las Vegas | United States | Scheduling conflicts due to Joanne World Tour rehearsals [17] |
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is known for reinventing her image and showcasing versatility in entertainment. Gaga started performing as a teenager by singing at open mic nights and acting in school plays. She studied Collaborative Arts Project 21 before leaving to pursue a music career. After a contract cancellation by Def Jam Recordings, Gaga worked as a songwriter for Sony/ATV Music Publishing. In 2007, she signed with Interscope Records and KonLive Distribution. Her breakthrough came the following year with her debut studio album, The Fame, and its singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face". The album was later reissued along with The Fame Monster (2009), which yielded the successful singles "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Telephone".
The Monster Ball Tour was the second worldwide concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga. Staged in support of her first EP, The Fame Monster (2009) and comprising a set list of songs mostly from that and her debut studio album, The Fame (2008), the tour visited arenas and stadiums from 2009 through 2011. It is the highest-grossing tour for a debut headlining artist in history. Described as "the first-ever pop electro opera" by Gaga, the tour was announced in October 2009 after an intended joint concert tour with rapper Kanye West was suddenly cancelled. The Monster Ball Tour commenced four days after the release of The Fame Monster in November 2009.
"Monster" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her third EP, The Fame Monster (2009). Inspired by her "Fear of Attachment Monster", the record was produced by Nadir "RedOne" Khayat, and written by Gaga, RedOne and Space Cowboy. Gaga had explained that "Monster" describes her fear of sex and relationships, and described the lyrics as being in love with the bad boy all the time, but instead of running away, one keeps going back to the same person. She added that the fear in "Monster" erupted from her need to have a stable relationship. Incorporating the usage of heavy bass lines, descending keyboard lines and "massive" choruses, "Monster" contains zombie-like metaphors and a reference to Gaga's debut single "Just Dance".
"The Edge of Glory" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her second studio album, Born This Way (2011). The song was released on May 9, 2011, as the album's third single. Initially released as one of two promotional singles for Born This Way, it shortly became a single following its success in digital outlets worldwide. The song was written and produced by Gaga and Fernando Garibay, and is a pop, electro-rock, and disco song that speaks of the last moments of life. According to Gaga, lyrical inspiration came from the death of her grandfather, who died in September 2010. Along with a saxophone solo played by Clarence Clemons, the melody of the song resembles much of the musical works of Bruce Springsteen, and contains several qualities similar to that of 1980s adult contemporary musical works.
"Americano" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga, taken from her second studio album, Born This Way (2011). The song was written and produced by Gaga with DJ White Shadow, Fernando Garibay, and Brian Lee. "Americano" was influenced by the events surrounding the repeal of the controversial California Proposition 8—a ballot proposition that defined marriage as a union between opposite-sex couples, thereby prohibiting and invalidating same-sex marriage throughout the state—as well as the growing struggles of Mexican immigrants. It combines mariachi, house, and techno genres with elements from Latin music. Lyrically, the song talks about Lady Gaga's infatuation with a woman.
"Scheiße" is a song by American singer Lady Gaga from her second studio album, Born This Way (2011). The song was written and produced by Lady Gaga and Nadir "RedOne" Khayat, and was recorded in Europe on the tour bus during the Monster Ball Tour. "Scheiße" was first introduced as a remix during a Thierry Mugler fashion show held on January 19, 2011. A dance-pop song with heavy, pounding synths, it also has a fast techno beat with electroclash and Eurodisco influences. Gaga speaks the first verse and parts of the chorus of the song in faux-German, as the name of the song is German. The lyrics have a feminist tone, speaking of female empowerment.
ArtRave: The Artpop Ball was the fourth headlining concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga. Supporting her third studio album Artpop (2013), the tour ran from May 4, 2014, to November 24, 2014. The tour dates included cities where Gaga had canceled shows of her previous Born This Way Ball tour after suffering a hip injury. The ArtRave tour was preceded by a performance at the South by Southwest music festival, which drew controversy due to a segment where an artist vomited on Gaga, and a seven-day residency at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York.
The Super Bowl LI Halftime show took place on February 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, as part of Super Bowl LI. Lady Gaga headlined the show, with no special guests, performing a medley of her songs, including material from her then-most recent studio album, Joanne (2016). It is currently the most nominated Super Bowl halftime show in Emmy Awards history, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special.
Paul Edward Blair, known by his stage name DJ White Shadow, sometimes written as DJWS, is an American music producer, musician, songwriter and DJ. Based in Chicago, Illinois, he is best known as the producer for Lady Gaga's albums, Born This Way and Artpop. He also produced and wrote songs with Gaga on the soundtrack for the 2018 film, A Star Is Born. Blair has played in numerous cities throughout the United States and has toured as a headliner. He has also toured with Lady Gaga internationally. He has two kids.
Joanne is the fifth studio album by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released on October 21, 2016, by Streamline and Interscope Records. Gaga, Mark Ronson and BloodPop handled its production. Other collaborators include Kevin Parker, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker and Josh Homme. Musically, Joanne is a stripped-down, dance-pop, soft rock and Americana record with country elements, with a focus on Gaga's vocals. Lyrically, the album delves into the theme of family and life's emotions; the death of her aunt, Joanne Stefani Germanotta, deeply influenced the record. The singer's experience acting on the television series American Horror Story also influenced its creative process.
"Perfect Illusion" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released for digital download on September 9, 2016, through Interscope Records as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). The track was written and produced by Gaga, Kevin Parker, Mark Ronson and BloodPop. A synth-pop, dance-rock and pop rock song, "Perfect Illusion" lyrically delves on the singer's "highest of highs and lowest of lows" in a relationship, and is ultimately a commentary on social media. Gaga wrote the lyrics using her Underwood typewriter; after numerous permutations the composers derived the final track. Speculation that the song referred to Gaga's ex-boyfriend Taylor Kinney was refuted by the singer.
"Joanne" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga from her fifth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's third official single on December 22, 2017 in Italy, and a piano version, titled "Joanne ", followed in the rest of the world on January 26, 2018. The track was written and produced by Gaga and Mark Ronson, with additional production from BloodPop. Inspired by the singer's late aunt, Joanne Germanotta, the song became a focal point for the musical direction of the album. Gaga intended the song to have a healing effect for those dealing with loss and pain.
"John Wayne" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga, for her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). Gaga co-wrote and co-produced the track with Mark Ronson and BloodPop, with additional writing from Josh Homme who also played guitar. "John Wayne" is a pop rock song that features elements of country, disco, funk, and house music. It derives its name from American actor John Wayne, who was known for his roles in Western films. The lyrics talk about Gaga's romantic craving for a wild, blue-collar man and smoking cannabis. Some critics felt that "John Wayne" might portray Gaga's relationship with her ex-fiancé Taylor Kinney.
"Million Reasons" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga for her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). Initially released as a promotional single, it was released to radio stations on October 29, 2016, as the album's second single. The track was written by Gaga, Hillary Lindsey and Mark Ronson, and produced by Ronson, Gaga and BloodPop. It grew organically from the conversations that Lindsey and Gaga were having one day, with the title phrase lifted from the singer's musings about the men in her life.
"A-Yo" is a song recorded by American singer Lady Gaga for her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). It was released to Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show on October 18, 2016, as the record's second promotional single by Interscope Records. Gaga co-wrote and co-produced the song with Mark Ronson and BloodPop, with Hillary Lindsey being the additional songwriter. A funky, electro-tinged and rock-inspired upbeat country pop track, "A-Yo" lyrically delves on leaving behind one's dislikers.
The Joanne World Tour was the sixth headlining concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga, in support of her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). It began on August 1, 2017, in Vancouver, Canada and ended on February 1, 2018, in Birmingham, England. After tickets went on sale, various shows in Europe and North America quickly sold out, prompting additional dates in both continents.
The Chromatica Ball was the seventh headlining concert tour by American singer Lady Gaga in support of her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020). Comprising 20 shows, it began on July 17, 2022, in Düsseldorf and concluded on September 17, 2022, in Miami Gardens. Initially conceived as a six-date-long, limited tour, new dates were added after it was delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Angel Down" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. It serves as the concluding track on the standard edition of her fifth studio album, Joanne (2016). Influenced by the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012, it was written by Gaga and her long-time collaborator RedOne, during the initial recording sessions of the album in 2015; he also produced its work tape version. In late 2015, she played "Angel Down" to Mark Ronson, who later produced the official rendition of the track, along with BloodPop. It is a torch song, as well as protest song against shootings involving African Americans in the United States. The piano ballad also touches on topics of social media.