Initially the City of Austin feared a Lady Gaga performance would upend their city, and it resulted in the cancellation of her planned gig at SXSW this year. Her little monsters can now breathe a gigantic sigh of relief, however, as Gaga has not only been confirmed to play Stubb’s this Thursday, but also as the first female keynote speaker at SXSW in 15 years.
Gaga, now a five-time Grammy winner, and chosen by Time Magazine as the second most influential person of the decade last year, will be bringing her brand of contemporary pop to a festival that hasn’t truly seen music such as hers in the 28 years it’s been held. The last female to lead the keynote was Emmylou Harris, in 1999, while Dave Grohl was the musician chosen for the 2013 keynote.
Approximately 10 hours prior to her conversation with the public, Gaga will be performing at the 2500-capacity Stubb’s for a Doritos-sponsored show sure to test the boundaries Austin feared it would. In 2013, Public Enemy held the same spot, and ruled the stage, keeping chaos at bay. It’s likely Lady Gaga and her monsters will do the same, and maintain their order in only the most fashionable of ways.