Katy Perry shines sweet and surreal at Chase Center

On July 18, Katy Perry turned San Francisco’s Chase Center into a kaleidoscope of nostalgia, camp and pop spectacle for her “Lifetimes” tour. For many of us in the crowd, the show wasn’t just a concert, but a celebration of girlhood, glitter and growth. 

When Perry asked, “Who’s been with me since 2008?” I realized with a jolt that I had. I was a kid then — dancing in my living room to “Hot N Cold” on the original Just Dance, watching her “Part of Me” documentary on repeat and performing her songs at talent shows.