You’ve probably seen the clips floating around TikTok or X—Katy Perry floating over a crowd on a giant, mechanical butterfly or fighting a pixelated robot. It looks like a fever dream. Honestly, that’s because it basically is. After the rocky rollout of her album 143 in late 2024, everyone was wondering if the tour would even happen. Not only is it happening, but the katy perry tour video snippets coming out of the 2025 and 2026 legs show a production that is, frankly, massive.
The Lifetimes Tour is Perry’s first major outing in seven years. Seven years! That is an eternity in pop music. If you remember the Witness tour, you know she likes props, but this time around, she’s gone full sci-fi.
The Visuals: Why the Katy Perry Tour Video Clips Look Like a Video Game
The whole show is framed around a narrative where Katy is a hero named "KP143" trapped in a digital world controlled by an AI entity called "Mainframe." It’s very Tron meets Candyland. The katy perry tour video content used on the backdrop screens isn't just static wallpaper; it’s an interactive story about rescuing butterflies to save the planet.
Some fans have pointed out that the CGI looks a little... uncanny. There’s a rumor that some of it might be AI-generated, which is meta considering the theme of the show is literally fighting an AI overlord. Whether it’s AI or just high-budget 3D rendering, the scale is undeniable. The stage itself is shaped like an infinity sign, which is a nightmare for arena security but great for anyone in the VIP "Eternity" pits.
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Katy actually teased a lot of this during a livestream from a "space flight" before the tour kicked off. She revealed the setlist while floating, which was a bold move. The show starts with "ARTIFICIAL" and "Chained to the Rhythm," setting that dystopian tone immediately.
That Controversial Lifetimes Video in Spain
We can’t talk about the tour visuals without mentioning the "Lifetimes" music video. You might recall it made headlines in late 2024 for all the wrong reasons. Katy filmed on the Balearic Islands—specifically the sand dunes of S'Espalmador.
The Environment Department of the Balearic Islands wasn't happy. They launched an investigation because the production company allegedly didn't have the right permits to film on those protected dunes. Capitol Records claimed they had "verbal authority," but the Spanish government called it an "infringement."
Luckily for Katy, they ruled it wasn't a "crime against the environment," just a paperwork screw-up. But if you watch the katy perry tour video interludes during the concert, you’ll notice that most of the beachy, natural imagery has been replaced or supplemented by that glitchy, digital aesthetic. Probably a smart move to avoid any more legal headaches.
The "Choose Your Own Adventure" Segment
This is actually the coolest part of the current tour. During the middle of the set, Katy uses the big screens to let the audience vote on a song. It’s like a live version of a 90s arcade game.
Fans scan a QR code or just scream loud enough for a "deep cut." In recent shows in Australia and Mexico, people have been gunning for "Not Like the Movies" or "The One That Got Away." It’s a rare moment where the giant robot butterflies go away and you just get Katy, her band, and her actual vocals—which, by the way, are sounding better than they have in years.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, ticket sales for the US leg were famously a bit slow initially. People were skeptical after the "Woman's World" controversy. But as more katy perry tour video evidence surfaced from the Mexico and UK dates, the vibe shifted.
The show is 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure maximalism.
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- The Setlist: It’s heavily weighted toward the hits. Think "Dark Horse," "California Gurls," and "Firework."
- The 143 Tracks: She only plays about six songs from the new album, including "Lifetimes" and "Crush."
- The Openers: Depending on where you see her, you’re getting Rebecca Black or Becky Hill. Rebecca Black’s 2025/2026 set is reportedly very campy and fits the "digital apocalypse" theme perfectly.
What to Do Before You Go
If you’re planning on catching the 2026 dates in Dublin, Cardiff, or the summer festivals in France and Spain, here is the move.
First, don't just watch the katy perry tour video spoilers on YouTube. The "Mainframe" storyline actually makes more sense if you see the transition videos in order. Second, check the "pit" options. The infinity stage design means if you’re in the back "O" of the stage, you get a 360-degree view that most arena tours don't offer.
Finally, keep an eye on the official "Lifetimes" tour app or her Instagram. She’s been releasing "production holds" (aka extra tickets) just days before the shows, so even if a date looks sold out, you can usually snag a seat if you’re fast.
The tour is scheduled to wrap up its major 2025/2026 run soon, but with new dates added for Dublin and Cardiff in the summer of 2026, it looks like Katy isn't ready to leave the digital world just yet. Check the official Ticketmaster listings for the "Blenheim Palace" or "Malahide Castle" shows if you want to see this mess of butterflies and robots in an outdoor setting. It’s going to be wild.