Live Review

Dua Lipa is wonderfully playful and not afraid of a few risks at London's Royal Albert Hall

Photos:Ben Gibson

When Dua says she's never done anything like tonight's gig, she really means it. Words: Ali Shutler. Photo: Ben Gibson.

Dua Lipa has built a career on Big Pop. Her self-titled debut album was full of polished, perfectly formed hits of heartbreak, hope and anger, while the sweeping, 80s-tinged 'Future Nostalgia' ended up being the perfect soundtrack for escapist house parties. Then there's 'Radical Optimism', which delivered club-ready euphoria with a defiant sneer. She kickstarted the era with a massive, upbeat Glastonbury headline slot and next summer, there's a huge stadium tour.

So when Dua says she's never done anything like tonight's gig, she really means it. Rather than simply plonking her current show into the luxurious setting of London's Royal Albert Hall and calling that special, Dua has transformed the venue. There's a winding stage taking up the entire floor, while her gang of dancers have been replaced by the 53-piece Heritage Orchestra. Reliable bangers like 'New Rules', 'One Kiss' and 'Physical' are nowhere to be found, as a reimagined take on 'Radical Optimism' is played in full.

When Dua says she's never done anything like tonight's gig, she really means it. Words: Ali Shutler. Photo: Ben Gibson.

Backed by an orchestra, the heartbreak of 'These Walls' is deafening, while the delicate, piano-led 'Anything For Love' is a moment of vulnerable tenderness from an artist who's usually more concerned with gleeful excess. A gorgeous cover of Cleo Sol's 'Sunshine' allows Dua's impressive vocals to really take the spotlight, and the emotional 'Falling Forever' dials up the drama and allows Dua to toy with dynamics and depth. It's the kind of performance you'd expect from someone who wants to be seen as an artist, not a pop star.

The thing is, Dua can't shake the communal joy her music inspires, and she clearly doesn't want to either. "Are you ready to party or what," she asks before a rowdy 'Levitating'. 'Training Season' and 'Illusion' are also just as rousing, with the orchestra's brass and percussion really adding to the funk, while album cuts like 'Maria', 'French Exit' and 'Whatcha Doing' are spirited and giddy. During a stunning 'Happy For You', Dua even climbs on top of a grand piano to get closer to the crowd.

"Didn't I promise you a fun night?" she asks midway through an encore that features the live debut of Barbie banger 'Dance The Night' and a sleek reworking of breakout single 'Be The One'. After it not happening for two Glastos on the trot, Elton John finally joins Dua for a surprisingly boisterous version of 'Cold Heart' while the closing 'Don't Start Now' is aided by confetti and a dancer stage invasion. The whole thing is wonderfully playful and not afraid of a few risks. It's Big Pop at its very best.

Dua Lipa is wonderfully playful and not afraid of a few risks at London's Royal Albert Hall

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