Dua Lipa live in London: Pop royalty reaches her crowning moment at Wembley

A decade into her career, Dua Lipa has officially transcended into British pop icon territory. The Radical Optimism tour hit London’s Wembley Stadium last weekend and whilst many of us were battling with the heatwave gripping the nation, it couldn’t have been more on theme for the tour itself.

With its sun-soaked sea aesthetics, mediterranean hues and the Balearic beats of her (many) hits, it was obvious from her first appearance on stage that the temperature wasn’t the only thing set to rise.

From intimate gigs to sold out stadiums, the Radical Optimism tour proved Dua Lipa’s dazzling rise to British pop icon is no fluke, just pure, hit making brilliance.

Opening with her second single from last year’s Radical Optimism ‘Training Season’, the show continued to elevate with hits like ‘One Kiss’, ‘IDGAF’, and a run of newer tracks from 2020’s Future Nostalgia.  She performed ‘Physical’, ‘Levitating’, and even an fan-pleasing duet with Charli XCX as they performed ‘360’ from 2024’s BRAT, which had the audience dancing regardless of the heat level.

Dua’s setlist is a testimony on her ability to deliver hit after hit – and it should be surprising to no one the widespread appeal the star has. 

Performing to 70,000 fans under the sweltering summer sun is a stark contrast to her first gig in London, where she performed to just 350 people. This milestone of this achievement isn’t lost on the pop star, who was holding back tears as she recognised how monumental this was for her.

The British-Albanian star reflected on the growth of her career in an emotional moment before performing her debut album hit ‘Be The One’. If Saturday night proved anything, it’s that Dua’s evolution has been dazzling to watch.

What perhaps is most impressive is how effortless she makes it all look. From her slick choreography, sustained vocals, to her stage presence – always poised but constantly playful – it all works together and cements her as a star in her own league. There aren’t any gimmicks to be found here, just someone humbly aware they have a catalogue of hits from the past decade that speak for themselves.

Wembley may be a far cry from her earliest shows in the capital, but on this night, Dua made the stadium feel just as intimate. And if this is what ten years looks like, the next decade is going to be unmissable.