Gallery: Katy Perry in San Francisco
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☆ PHOTOS BY ELIJAH CLOWER ☆
KATY PERRY BROUGHT THE LIFETIMES TOUR TO SAN FRANCISCO’S CHASE CENTER LAST FRIDAY - turning what some critics call a flashy pop show into a full-on, unforgettable experience. From the moment she ascended into her sci-fi cage over the center stage, the night had that larger-than-life feel that’s become her signature. The show’s video-game-inspired structure—divided into five progressing “levels”—was a nostalgic thrill ride, with each level closing out with a blockbuster hit. The crowd roared along to "Dark Horse" closing Level 1, "Last Friday Night" and "I Kissed a Girl" at the end of Level 2, "Wide Awake" at the end of Level 3, and “Rise” wrapping up Level 4. She opened the final level with “Roar” and closed with an explosive “Firework” finale.
Sure, some choreography moments leaned into playful and goofy territory, but feeling cheesy is part of the charm. If anything, the backlash online has missed the mark entirely. Perry is a performer, and letting herself have fun onstage is what makes her shows sparkle. Even when her butterfly prop malfunctioned mid-air during “Roar,” she handled it like a pro—clinging on, regrouping and powering through without missing a beat.
This tour isn’t just a greatest-hits revue, it’s a full production, complete with dramatic entrances, lighting flair, acrobatics, and interactive segments where the crowd votes on surprise songs. It’s theatrical, it’s campy, and yes—it’s shamelessly pop. But when Katy is genuinely herself—sassy, silly, and full of heart—it’s hard to argue with the joy she brings to her fans. For what it was, a fully immersive, high-energy pop spectacle, The Lifetimes Tour delivered. You might scoff online, but inside the arena? Magic.
