The Anfield crowd erupted as Due Lipa introduced a special guest for a performance of a song that belongs to the world
21:39, 24 Jun 2025Updated 21:40, 24 Jun 2025
Dua Lipa on stage at Anfield (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Dua Lipa hailed her “crazy connection” to Liverpool as she brought out a special guest on stage tonight. The 29-year-old popstar performed the first of two Radical Optimism tour shows at Anfield tonight.
There has been much speculation over whether Dua would be joined on stage by a fellow famous face. The singer had performed alongside Charli XCX and Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay for her shows in London.
The One Kiss hitmaker thrilled the Anfield crowd when she announced a Liverpool legend would join her on stage during tonight’s show. She said: “Oh man, I’m so happy to be here. Thank you for all the love, thank you for all the support.
“Thank you for dancing in the rain with me tonight. I feel like with Liverpool we’ve always had a crazy connection. Liverpool has a connection with a lot of things, but one thing it does have a crazy connection to is music.
“I feel like for this next song, I want to bring out a friend of mine. For every single artist, you dream about making a song that will stand the test of time and people will sing over and over.
“As we discussed earlier, we said this song kind of belong to the world. So without further ado, I would like to introduce Liverpool legend, Dave McCabe from The Zutons.”
The two thrilled the thousands in attendance with a spectacular cover of The Zutons 2006 hit, Valerie. On the first night of Dua’s back-to-back shows at the home of the Reds, she opened with Training Season, before launching into End of an Era.
Dua Lipa with Dave McCabe from the Zutons on stage at Anfield(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
The singer didn’t immediately address the crowd as she arrived on stage and moved straight into her selection of hits. As she sung End Of An Era, Dua issued a message as she told the crowd: “Liverpool make some noise.”
The thousands in attendance followed the popstar’s lead as they responded with a huge roar. The singer’s stint in Liverpool has been eagerly anticipated as the musician has a close association with the city with her song, One Kiss.
The song has been adopted as a Liverpool FC anthem since she performed ahead of the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv. The UK leg of the tour kicked off at Wembley Stadium for two nights on June 20 and 21.
The singer’s Radical Optimism album was released in May last year through Warner Records. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and surpassed one billion streams on Spotify in June 2024.
Posting on social media after her recent Wembley Stadium shows, Dua said: “2 SOLD OUT NIGHTS AT WEMBLEY STADIUM! I can hardly believe it. These were the most special, unforgettable shows I’ve ever done!
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. For this journey. For every single person who’s stood by me, believed in me, sung with me, danced with me, and shared in this dream.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the incredible team on stage and behind the scenes who pour so much love and work into making this possible. I truly couldn’t have done this without you.”
Before her first Liverpool show tonight, Dua said: “Anfield night one tonight! Let’s gooooooooooo baby!!!!!” with fans rushing to the comments to share their excitement. Among the fans commenting on her post were Liverpool brothers Nick and Sean Ryan who run city clubnight Sh*t Indie Disco.
They said: “See you there Dua! Going to be an unreal crowd!” Gates opened at 5pm today, with Dua taking to the stage at around 8.15pm ready for a night of pop hits and incredible dance routines and costume changes.