Review: Dua Lipa brings star power and surprises to Dallas on Radical Optimism tour
Dua Lipa's first breakout single, 'Be The One,' turns 10 this month — a milestone she remembered on stage last night in Dallas, telling the crowd she'll probably perform it for the rest of her career. All these years later, the 30-year-old singer has turned into a global pop superstar. On the Radical Optimism Tour, she showcased her star power without second-guessing herself at any point. Her confidence and stage presence show exactly how far she’s come since 'Be The One' first hit — from teenage breakout to arena-level pop force.
The show takes a few minutes to kick in after the house lights go out, with a majestic, almost meditative video of a giant wave crashing across the big screens, heightening the crowd’s anticipation. As the waves split, there she was, rising up the massive stage in a stunning golden Jean Paul Gaultier corset bodysuit. Her vocals open the show with the first verse of 'Training Season' — “Are you someone that I can give my heart to?” — before the music crescendos, the full band kicking in, and the arena erupts as she hits the chorus. That opening moment perfectly foreshadows the rest of the show: a blend of intimate, vocal-driven moments intertwined in a euphoric dance-pop spectacle.
The pace of the show was excellent. Lipa is an artist you go to see to have a good time — and to dance a lot. Early highlights like 'Break Your Heart,' 'One Kiss,' and 'Levitating' had the crowd on their feet from the start. She sprinkled in songs from Radical Optimism between her better-known hits, with songs like 'End of an Era' and the quietly excellent 'These Walls' landing perfectly in the early part of the set.
One of the refreshing things about Lipa’s show is how she maintains a feeling of a straightforward pop concert, even amid a flood of production. Confetti cannons went off again and again, but it never felt excessive. Pyro, strobe lights, lasers, feathers, and a rising platform at the center of the catwalk all added spectacle, yet each moment felt purposeful, enhancing the performance rather than overshadowing it.
For those of us attending the second of two nights in Dallas, there were several treats. Every night, Lipa performs a surprise song, usually a cover by a local artist — on night one, she nailed Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone.' Occasionally, fans are lucky enough to get a guest join her for the number. Last night, Texas's own Leon Bridges appeared to perform his song 'Beyond' alongside Lipa, who admitted she was a little jittery about sharing the stage. She said she listens to Bridges when she wants to take a breather and forget about the rest of the world.
Later, she was joined by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders for arguably her best song, 'Physical.' The arena went into a frenzy as America's Sweethearts took over the stage, executing the choreography alongside Lipa in one of the night's many highlights.
Two other standout moments came with her performance of 'Love Again,' in which she was surrounded by fire and joined by Loop Rawlins, a former Cirque du Soleil and America's Got Talent performer, who executed jaw-dropping tricks with a fire-laden lasso. Her encore was equally spectacular, delivering a brilliant dance-club trifecta that included 'New Rules,' 'Don't Start Now,' and 'Houdini.'
Radical Optimism may not have been received as warmly as Future Nostalgia — expectations were high, after all — but it is objectively a strong pop record. Lipa didn’t let mixed reviews stop her from putting together a show that gave the album the recognition it deserves — and her fans an unforgettable concert experience. If you’ve never seen Dua Lipa live, you owe it to yourself to do so. The only downside? The night flies by because you’re having such a great time. The Radical Optimism Tour is equal parts spectacle and star power, cementing Lipa as one of today’s most exciting dance-pop performers.