After more than a half a decade without a major tour and fresh off her Las Vegas residency, Katy Perry made her grand return to the road with The Lifetimes Tour and Chicago got one of the first sparkling glimpses.

Performing at the United Center on Monday night, the pop powerhouse proved she’s still one of the genre’s most theatrical and hit-packed performers. From the second she emerged in a shimmering silver bodysuit, descending amid a dazzling burst of light like a disco ball turned human, Perry commanded the attention of a packed arena like few others can.

The setlist played out like a well-curated time capsule of the last 15 years in pop music. Early fan favorites like “Hot n Cold” and “Waking Up in Vegas” brought the nostalgic energy, while chart-toppers like “Teenage Dream” and “Firework” were delivered with arena-sized spectacle and emotion. But this wasn’t just a retro greatest-hits parade. Perry smartly wove in newer tracks like “Woman’s World” and “Electric,” showing she’s still evolving and isn’t afraid to blend synth-forward, pop-futurist textures into her sound.

Between songs, Perry showcased her signature mix of quirk and heart, cracking jokes, making a few perfectly awkward dad-worthy puns, and sharing reflections on motherhood, creativity, and what it means to live through several “lifetimes” in the public eye.

The staging was grand and often cinematic, think oversized flower props, digital dreamscapes, and one jaw-dropping moment involving a lifesize, animatronic carousel horse. And yes, the costume changes were as frequent as they were fantastic: campy, couture, and always uniquely Katy.

While Perry may no longer dominate the charts the way she once did, her live show reminded everyone in attendance just how deep her catalog runs and how enduring her star power truly is. For a generation of fans who grew up with her, Monday night felt less like a comeback and more like a triumphant reunion.

For those who missed this tour stop? Consider this your notice: Katy Perry is back and she still knows how to throw a damn good pop party.

Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration