Katy Perry took to the stage at the Chase Center in San Francisco for a sold-out concert on Friday, captivating her fans but also facing a series of technical challenges throughout the performance.
A particularly scary moment unfolded when Perry boarded a giant black mechanical butterfly during her performance of “Roar.” As she soared high above the audience, the butterfly suddenly lurched downward, triggering gasps of concern from her devoted fans, known as KatyCats.
Fortunately, the star managed to maintain her composure and finished her airborne journey back to the stage, where she humorously responded to the mishap with, “Not today, Satan.” This quip quickly became quotable among the audience.
The butterfly incident served as a fitting capstone to a show fraught with production issues. In fact, the concert nearly got canceled altogether when organizers struggled to open the venue on time, leaving many fans outside as crews worked to troubleshoot the elaborate set. A decision was only made to proceed just before opener Rebecca Black took the stage.
Determined to please her Bay Area fans, Perry insisted on performing, stating, “I was like, ‘No we are doing the show. This is my biggest show in America, so thank you San Francisco!”
Perry’s Lifetimes Tour marks her fifth major tour and is her first since the Witness: The Tour in 2017-2018. During the seven years between tours, the singer became a mother and enjoyed her tenure as a judge on “American Idol,” managing to expand her fanbase even further.
While her recent albums did not achieve significant chart success, Perry nonetheless made an effort to deliver a spectacular experience for her audience. Yet, some critics felt that the concert relied too heavily on wow factors rather than coherent storytelling.
The production was described as bloated and convoluted, attempting to weave an intricate story of Perry becoming a video game character known as “KP143” and battling an AI antagonist referred to as “Mainframe.” Critics believed that this narrative failed to engage the audience effectively and, instead, convoluted the overall experience.
Nevertheless, Perry still produced memorable moments with her extensive catalog of hits, including “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Hot n Cold,” and many more. These classics provided a solid foundation that made the night enjoyable for concertgoers, compensating somewhat for the less impactful offerings from her more recent albums.
One of the standout aspects of the concert was Perry’s inherent likeability and ability to connect with her fans. Several heartfelt interactions took place when the high-tech theatrics faded into the background.
In a notable segment, Perry invited multiple fans on stage, interacting with them in a casual and friendly manner. She even took the time to tie the shoe of a five-year-old fan, ensuring a safe double-knot, while also entertaining a pregnant fan with the opportunity to name her baby, choosing the charming name “Lily.”
Perry reflected on the unique opportunity, stating, “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
In these moments, she embraced her role as a positive influence, encouraging her fans to pursue their dreams. To the young boy whose shoe she tied, Perry advised, “You can be anything you want to be.”
Critics expressed a desire for more of these authentic interactions rather than an abundance of flashy special effects. Perry’s unique ability to create meaningful connections with her audience could have enhanced the overall experience even further.
As the concert wrapped up, it invoked a sense of hope that after the technical difficulties and her nerve-wracking encounter with the mechanical butterfly, Perry might reconsider her priorities for future performances.
Concertgoers are hopeful it won’t be another seven years before they are treated to a new show from the pop superstar.
Here’s the setlist for the July 18, 2025, concert:
1. “ARTIFICIAL”
2. “Chained to the Rhythm”
3. “Teary Eyes”
4. “Dark Horse”
5. “WOMAN’S WORLD”
6. “California Gurls”
7. “Teenage Dream”
8. “Hot n Cold”
9. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”
10. “I Kissed a Girl”
11. “NIRVANA”
12. “CRUSH”
13. “I’M HIS, HE’S MINE”
14. “Wide Awake”
15. “Not Like the Movies”
16. “The One That Got Away”
17. “ALL THE LOVE”
18. “E.T.”
19. “Part of Me”
20. “Rise”
21. “Roar”
22. “Daisies”
23. “LIFETIMES”
24. “Firework”
image source from：pressdemocrat
