Lady Gaga Blows Out the Wiltern

Last week, UK performer Lady Gaga put on a clinic at the Wiltern, handling expectations, hype, energy and slamming down a satisfying pop candy performance.

The Wiltern Theatre was more sold out than any show I can remember (remember that "Sold Out" doesn't actually mean "Sold Out"), with people still packing into the center sections and overflowing the pit area even as Lady Gaga's performance continued.

Celebrities actually came in the front door, rather than through the check-in point in the side alley door, where they usually come in. People like Davey Havok ("AFI") and Kanye West stormed through the foyer of the Wiltern, to only be surprised by the phalanx of photographers awaiting to ambush their presence, rather than allow them a good time to enjoy a great performance. This usually happens when red carpet paps invade a concert, rather than concert photographers. Kelly Osborne entered and actually stayed on the floor, watching the show from the pit, while others went straight to the backstage party downstairs.

Lady Gaga's performance was a mix of the theatrical with the familiar mainstream pop dance spectacular. If you're not a fan of her music or of this form of pop/dance, you will be hard-pressed to deny the showmanship Lady Gaga presents, on par with Madonna, Janet and Britney in intricacy, dance and detail - in a smaller scale of course.

Look for Lady Gaga to be playing a theatre near you, and then a stadium on the next run.

On the web:
www.ladygaga.com