American Horror Story: Freak Show kicked off last night on FX. Relive the best moments and find out what else Ryan Murphy has in store for this season!

Last night’s American Horror Story was not lacking in terror, glamorous costumes and scenery, or phenomenal performances. The actual freak show is only one element of showmanship for the series and the true performances take place when the lights are off and the audiences at home.

Regardless of the crowd turn out for opening night of the series, the droves of viewers watching at home witnessed Jessica Lange’s performance of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars.” Though it was not Gloria Mott’s (Frances Conroy) cup of tea, you cannot deny the glitz and glamour Lange brought onto that stage.

Glitter and blue eye shadow aside, Ryan Murphy spilled some details about the difference between this season and the other installment of the series.

True to the style of the early 1950s and 1960s, Murphy is a stickler for everything from the costuming and props down to the trailers to be detail orientated. Though he plans on the incorporation of David Bowie and Lana Del Ray in the future, Murphy sticks to period appropriate scores for the rest of the series. He comments, “George Antheil music who was a big composer from back then and whose music was used in a lot of ‘50s and ‘60s horror movies. I like paying homage to the early ‘50s and horror movies and back then they didn’t have Steadicam and they didn’t have jump cuts.” Expect to see more wide shots and stillness this season.

Another key feature of the show this season is the coloring. Bright costumes and tents and makeup bring the typically gray photos of performance to life under the big tent. Murphy takes into account that the show we are following is on its last legs. “With the production design and set design we made a very distinctive choice of let’s do the brightest colors known to man and let’s let everything soak in Lipton iced tea for a week. There’s a faded melancholy feeling to it. You can see that the colors are beginning to dim—that was by design because it’s the end of an era.”

As for the remaining musical numbers this season, Murphy comments on where the inspiration for the modern flair came from. “I was very inspired with Baz Luhrmann. I love what he does with his movies like Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge where you don’t play period stuff, you do stuff from all eras that fit the story.”

Related:AHS: Freak Show episode 1 recap: Willkommen, welcome

His choices for the upcoming musical numbers were also revealed! If you think there is a single element of the show that does not have a deeper purpose, Murphy offers this tidbit about his choices for the music: “So we decided we only were going to highlight musical artists who at some point in their career had identified themselves as feeling like freaks or misfits or outcasts, which our people are going through. That’s why we do David Bowie, Fiona Apple, Lana Del Rey, Kurt Cobain. We do people who sort of have the same feelings as our characters do.”

Can’t get enough of Jessica Lange’s version of “Life on Mars?” Well, Ryan Murphy has some news for you!

As the show gears up to head into week 2, stay tuned as more information arrives regarding American Horror Story‘s freakiest season yet.

Watch American Horror Story: Freak Show, episode 2, “Massacres and Matinees,” Wednesday, October 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX.