Lady Gaga brought high energy and captivating performances to Saturday Night Live this week, showcasing two songs from her latest album Mayhem. Her first performance, “Abracadabra,” captured attention with its crimson-themed music video-inspired set. Gaga and her dancers performed synchronized, jerky movements on a mirrored stage designed to make Studio 8H feel larger than life.
Her second performance was the live debut of “Killah,” a track released only 48 hours earlier with the album. In that short time, “Killah” became a fan favorite, drawing comparisons to retro-funk styles. Fans at home likely greeted the song as if it were one of her greatest hits. For this performance, Gaga traded her red outfit for purple, a possible reference to Prince, whose influence has been noted in early reviews of the track.
Gaga’s energy reached new heights as she took over the backstage area, moving through hallways and engaging with background dancers. A dramatic overhead shot caught a playful moment where she lay on the ground, kicking her legs in the air. She then returned to the mirrored stage with a full band, marking a shift from the electro-pop style of her first performance to a more rock-driven sound. During a percussion break, she joined the drummer to crash cymbals before transitioning into a powerful screamo moment.
Though the intense performance ended, Gaga wasn’t finished. She appeared again shortly after in a more casual outfit, taking part in a comedic sketch where she sang a parody of “Wonderful Tonight” with Bowen Yang in a restaurant scene.
Throughout the show, Gaga’s multitasking was impressive. Not only did she sing live while dancing energetically, but she also played host and appeared in nearly every sketch. Her only absences were from the Trump-themed cold open and the Weekend Update segment. Despite her demanding schedule, Gaga’s rehearsals for both her musical numbers and the sketches were evident, with her performances making the term “hyperkinetic” seem understated.
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