Around this time two years ago, one Stefani Germanotta – better known to the masses as Lady Gaga – had the pop world in the palm of her hand.
To ring in the new year in 2011, Gaga took to Twitter and sent it ablaze in announcing the release of her second, full-length studio set, “Born This Way.” A month later came the title track, which topped the pop charts but drew as much press for its resemblance to Madonna’s “Express Yourself” as it did for reigning supreme on the airwaves and with downloaders.
The true test for “Born” followed in May, when the full-length set was officially released. Out of the gate, the set sold more than a million copies worldwide and solidified Gaga’s place as a worldwide superstar by topping the charts in 19 countries, and a handful of subsequent singles, “Bad Romance,” “Judas” and “You and I,” have kept both artist and album in the spotlight.
Gaga’s promotion for “Born” has and remains non-stop since her new year’s twitter from more than two years ago. Her two-night stand at United Center is part of her “Born This Way Ball” tour, which kicked off Jan. 11 and is scheduled to wrap up March 20 and is at least her third Stateside swing over the course of the last two-plus years.
Yet the biggest news to come from the Gaga camp in the last several months came last August, when she announced the title of what will be her third full-length set, “ARTPOP.” Gaga has recorded the songs slated to make up “ARTPOP” in spurts while supporting all things “Born.”
While more will be revealed – and in grand fashion, no doubt – regarding the forthcoming set and the pre-release singles that will surely come before “ARTPOP” makes its way to the masses as a whole, it’s hard not to have fingers crossed that the new stuff holds up, quality-wise, to “Born” and her 2008 mega-selling debut, “The Fame.” While kudos must be given to Gaga for her work ethic and striking commercial coal while the irons are still hot, here’s hoping “ARTPOP” doesn’t find her spreading herself too thin artistically.
Lady Gaga, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $60.32-$188.60. FYI: (312) 455.4500, UNITEDCENTER.COM
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For more information, contact the venues or ticket sales agencies listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all shows are all-ages.
Joy Formidable, April 8, Vic Theatre (18 and older, JAMUSA.COM)
Martha Wainwright, March 24, City Winery (21 and older, CITYWINERY.COM)
Diamond Head, April 21, Reggie’s Rock Club (17 and older, REGGIESLIVE.COM)
Billy Bragg, April 12-13, City Winery (21 and older, CITYWINERY.COM)
Redd Kross, April 13, Empty Bottle (21 and older, EMPTYBOTTLE.COM)
Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, May 28, Bottom Lounge (17 and older, BOTTOMLOUNGE.COM)
Fu Manchu, April 9, Double Door (21 and older< DOUBLEDOOR.COM)
Clutch, April 12, House of Blues (17 and older, HOB.COM)
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