For the past few years, superstars and corporate brands have invaded Austin's annual showcase of supposedly under-the-radar musical talent, but the particulars of Gaga’s set seemed like they’d been designed to strike a final blow to the festival’s indie cred: This was the self-proclaimed Fame Monster, avatar of the mainstream, taking over Austin’s legendary Stubbs BBQ for a concert sponsored by Doritos. More than one friend gave me a look of disgust when I told them I’d be attending.
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Last year’s Artpop received mixed reviews and undersold compared to expectations. Austin would be her first live show for the public since the album’s release, presumably previewing the world tour she’s embarking upon in May. So in front of a crowd of music execs, journalists, and diehard, contest-winning fans, her task wasn’t necessarily that far removed from that of the least-known bands in Austin this week. Like them, she had something to prove.
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The album name Artpop still gets eye rolls for making it seem as though she’s reached new heights of pretension, but seeing this set helped crystalize something right there in the album’s music: Gaga’s all about doing what she wants and making people feel good right now. The sledgehammering electro beats and sex-obsessed lyrics of her newest songs are meant to give a rush you don’t have to think about; she’s written better tracks than these, but few that are as straightforward.
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The point was that she’s no interloper; she’s in the same musical and human struggle as anyone else at South by Southwest. “Nobody ****ing knows how many clubs I played, how much piss I stepped in, how many bathrooms I changed in,” she said at her keynote talk. “What matters is that I know.”
Critics are praising her for most of her performances this era at the events. (VMA.artRave.AMA.SNL.SXSW)
But they dragged the album and her image like a sh*t.
What the world
But I'm glad they loved the performance and not with haters side.
