Lady Gaga Joanne Album Cover - Publicity - S 2016
@ladygaga/TwitterLady Gaga gave her Little Monsters a million reasons to tune in to the start of her Dive Bar Tour overnight: new music.
Gaga had promised a performance of the new song “Million Reasons” and a taste of others lifted from her forthcoming album Joanne. And she totally delivered on her word with a brief set showcasing the pop superstar’s rockin’ new musical direction.
Gaga wasn’t Mother Monster tonight. Nope, this was “Joanne,” a bluesy songstress leading a tight band.
Gaga arrived outside The 5 Spot venue at 10.22 p.m. ET (the location was a secret until the Bud Light-sponsored date officially launched at 10 p.m. ET with a live stream on Facebook). The pop giant paused to slap hands with fans and soak up the vibes, then entered through the front door for the long walk through the crowd to the stage as cheers of “Gaga … Gaga” echoed around her. There were no fireworks, no lasers, no confetti cannons.
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Gaga’s mini-run of intimate tour dates draw attention to her upcoming fifth studio LP, which the singer has promised will bridge country, pop, funk and more. She wasn’t kidding. Gaga opened her set in troubadour fashion — seated with a country-styled hat and an acoustic guitar slung over her shoulder — for a low-key performance of Joanne track “Sinner’s Prayer.”
The album’s earthy title track followed, and the ballad “Million Reasons” dropped in, and rounded out with a jam. Nashville seemed the right place to unveil this new incarnation of Gaga.
Track four was familiar territory as Gaga delivered a pumping version of the new recording’s lead single “Perfect Illusion.” And then, it was done. “Nashville. We love you. Good night,” she called out. And the mic hit the floor. By 10.50 p.m. the webcast was over.
All four songs will appear on the 11-song Joanne, which is out Oct. 21 and will feature a duet with Florence + the Machine’s Florence Welch and production work from the likes of Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Beck, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala and Mark Ronson.
The three-date Dive Bar Tour will continue with shows Oct. 20 and on Oct. 27.
This article originally appeared in Billboard.com.
