The rising pop star has managed to create a world of her own when performing her songs live, with every costume change and theatrical set building an atmosphere where fans are invited to be a part of a communal spectacle.
In today’s pop landscape, this kind of showmanship is the new standard.
With the rise of technology over the past 25 years, the streaming era of music means that anyone can just play an album without having to listen to it all the way through. This lack of immersion in artists has resulted in many solo pop acts focusing more of their authenticity on live shows. Artists have been making an increasingly strong effort to make their concerts completely stand out from the crowd, whether that’s in an arena, a festival stage, or even a small club. Leading the way are artists who treat live performance as more of an art performance than your average pop gig.
Very few artists have embodied this trend more than Lady Gaga. Since the start of her career, she has made performance an inseparable element of her identity. Her 'Monster Ball' tour was billed as “the first-ever pop-electro opera”, with props, costumes, and outrageous entrances (coming onto the stage by hatching out of a giant egg pod) redefining what fans could expect from a pop star. Her Enigma + Jazz & Piano tour proved that she still knows how to mount a larger-than-life experience, but it’s The Monster Ball that remains one of the defining templates for modern pop performances.
With Gaga setting the foundations, Chappell Roan may be the next evolution. Her shows often channel camp energy with a transformative edge. Fans are encouraged to dress up for her concerts, turning the audience itself into part of the performance. Roan’s shows have become affirming spaces for queer identity, where her performances also provide an act of inclusivity.
Lizzo also stands out as one of the most commanding live performers in modern times. During several of her concerts, she has sang live, twerked, done jumping jacks, and even appeared dressed as a bride. She’s living proof that live spectacle can come from charisma and energy so magnetic that the shows become an extension of her personality and brand.
Beyond these artists, other acts such as Rina Sawayama are pushing theatrical elements into unexpected spaces. Rina blends heavy nu-metal riffs with glossy Y2K pop into shows that feel like mini-musicals. Her 2023 ’Hold The Girl: Reloaded’ tour redesigned her ‘Hold The Girl’ tour to create a more developed show experience. These new shows felt even more larger-than-life, featuring completely revamped stage designs and costumes.
Meanwhile, Doechii is rewriting the limitations of what a hip hop performance can be. While she is known for having an explosive stage presence, she also has consistently impressive choreography. Many of these are self-choreographed, an expression of dance that Doechii claims to connect black womanhood with. Much of her choreography is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, of which are eerily similar to that of Missy Elliot’s. Her MTV VMA debut featured a performance that shifted moods like a play.
Even Katy Perry’s 'California Dreams' tour remains some of the greatest pop concerts. It was a surreal, candy-coated wonderland that turned music into a full theatrical production. It showed how conceptual visuals can elevate mainstream pop into something playful and unique.
Theatrical pop speaks to something bigger happening in live music. In an era where songs are promoted in bite-sized shorts videos online, concerts have become the one space where artists can control a narrative and create impactful moments that travel far beyond culture. These live shows give fans a sense of belonging to something larger. A strong live community.
For these pop artists, the expectation has shifted. It’s no longer enough to stand at the mic and sing. Today’s fans want immersion and artistry that extends beyond the music itself. Lady Gaga may have opened the door, but more and more artists are proving that the future of pop is theatrical.
Joel Sutcliffe
Image: Lydia Sedda @inlydseyes