Katy Perry levels up with The Lifetimes Tour

BY: JESSE ZAPATERO

Fans in glittery wigs, shark costumes, and Teenage Dream-inspired outfits were everywhere—like stepping into a living tribute to Katy Perry’s career. It wasn’t just a concert; it felt like a reunion of her eras, brought to life by the people who have grown up with her music.

Rebecca Black set the tone perfectly as the opener. Knowing her backstory and seeing her reclaim the stage with so much confidence was powerful. The irony of her once being a cameo in Katy’s “Last Friday Night” video and now standing under the spotlight as Katy’s tour partner wasn’t lost on me—it was a full-circle moment. She was witty, heartfelt, and her set had the crowd warmed up and ready for the spectacle to come.

When Katy finally took the stage, the arena erupted. The setup looked like something out of a video game—an infinity-shaped stage with massive screens projecting the “Game of Lifetimes.” The concept gave the night a whimsical storyline: Katy collecting hearts of courage, knowledge, and freedom before unlocking strength. It was campy, theatrical, and so unapologetically Katy.

From the very first song, she proved why she’s one of pop’s greatest performers. Her vocals were strong, and her energy never dipped, even as she was flying around the arena, flipping midair in a harness, or strutting across both ends of the infinity loop. At one point during “Roar,” she soared above us on a giant butterfly, and for “I Kissed a Girl,” she spun upside down in a cage with her dancers. Watching her pull off those stunts while nailing every note was jaw-dropping.

The fan interaction made the night even more special. She invited people onstage—fans dressed as tacos, sharks, and characters from her videos—and made them part of the show. Then there was the moment where a QR code popped up on the screen, and the entire arena got to vote on a deep cut for her to sing. “The One That Got Away” won, and when she sang it under a sea of phone lights, it felt like one of those timeless concert memories you never forget.

What struck me most, though, was the way Katy connected with the crowd. She wasn’t just performing; she was reflecting on her career, on motherhood, and on the community that’s stuck with her since the very beginning. When she dedicated “Daisies” to her daughter and then spoke directly to moms in the audience about staying connected even through loneliness, it felt deeply personal. She has this ability to make an arena of thousands feel like an intimate gathering.

By the time confetti exploded during “Firework,” I realized this show wasn’t just about big visuals and acrobatics (though those were incredible). It was about joy, nostalgia, and the reminder that pop music can be as unifying as it is fun. Walking out of the Honda Center that night, surrounded by fans still buzzing, I couldn’t shake the thought: Katy Perry didn’t just put on a show—she created a world where playfulness, vulnerability, and connection could all coexist.

The Lifetimes Tour was unforgettable, and Anaheim got one of Katy’s best.