Dua Lipa at Glastonbury review – headliners are rarely this hook-laden and hedonistic
As per the most interesting part of her conversation in between songs, Dua Lipa's headline performance at Glastonbury happened because of a childhood wish coming true. The singer said she wrote down her wish to headline the Pyramid stage, specifying that it should happen on a Friday so she could party for the rest of the weekend. And now we find ourselves watching a slightly strange video of Dua Lipa signing her name and writing "GLASTO 24" on a glass panel, then licking it.
Whether you believe in manifesting or not, Dua Lipa has clearly put in a lot of effort studying and learning how to put on a successful Glastonbury headline show. While some were unsure about her performance, especially after her latest album, Radical Optimism, didn't reach the same level of success as her previous hit, Future Nostalgia, she still has a collection of hit songs that guarantee a great show. She gives her all during her set to make it feel special, making it more than just a typical pop concert in a field in Somerset.
The stage was filled with confetti canons and pyrotechnics during the performance of Levitating. The crowd was amazed by the display, wondering how the finale could possibly top it. The singer, not one to mention the festival's hedonism, instead focused on engaging with the audience by asking how they were feeling. A memorable moment was when she appeared on stage alongside a clip of Peter Fonda from The Wild Angels, expressing a desire for a good time. Tame Impala's Kevin Parker made a surprise guest appearance, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, performing his hit song The Less I Know the Better. Despite some vocal flubs and laughter, the performance added an element of spontaneity to the show's carefully planned choreography.
Hallucinate outshines some of Lipa's newer songs. It is filled with house beats and catchy hooks, making it one of the standout pop singles of recent times. In comparison, Houdini and Training Season are just average, with Radical Optimism also including less notable songs like Happy for You and These Walls.
The last song on the album was the only one that hinted at the Britpop influence she had been promoting before its release. However, when listening to it now, it sounds more like the popular music from the 90s. It wouldn't be surprising to hear it sung by Texas, Natalie Imbruglia, or even the Corrs. Despite this, the album cleverly hides these songs among the hits so well that you hardly notice them. There are always more catchy songs coming up: Levitating, Physical, Illusion.
"It's overwhelming," she exclaims at one moment, looking out at the huge crowd that remains captivated the entire time. There's no empty space indicating that the headliner is failing to keep the audience engaged and sending them elsewhere. It's a definite victory.
