Dua Lipa brought her Radical Optimism tour to Anfield tonight for the second of two back-to-back shows
Dua Lipa stopped to talk to fans on the barrier at her second Anfield show
Dua Lipa was stopped in her tracks by a sign on the front row of the Anfield crowd tonight during a series of heart-warming interactions with the audience. After opening with a series of hit songs including Training Season and One Kiss, the star stepped down from the stage and walked along the barrier to pose for photos with fans.
Several fans had attended a number of shows as part of the Radical Optimism tour, and attempted to grab Dua’s attention with signs detailing their dedication. The first fan she stopped and spoke to was called Peter – and the mega-fan had travelled from Indonesia for tonight’s show.
Another fan called Louisa held up a sign stating she was born the day after the singer and would be celebrating her 30th birthday on August 23. When Dua approached her to read her sign, she said “we are going to celebrate together” before telling the popstar “I feel younger than ever”.
But one sign stopped Dua in her tracks at the barriers. The sign, made by Matty and Gabriella from Italy said: “Our ninth out of 10 Radical Optimism show. Also our 16th Dua Lipa show – can we get a hug?”
Dua Lipa fans Maddison Richardson (left), and Scarlett Jones, both age 13, at Anfield. (Pic Andrew Teebay).(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Dua embraced the couple holding the sign, before asking what their final show would be on the tour. Matty said their final planned tour date will by Sunny Hill Festival in Prishtina, Kosova, before telling Dua she had made his “dreams come true”.
The pop icon sent her audience into a frenzy with a simple one-word announcement at the start of her performance at Anfield Stadium tonight. The ‘One Kiss’ hitmaker took to the stage in Liverpool on Wednesday, June 25 as part of her Radical Optimism tour.
On the final night of Dua’s back-to-back shows at the home of the Reds, she opened with Training Season, which has been the go-to opener for much of her European tour. Stepping on to the stage at Anfield wearing a bejewelled corset and a statement choker, the star was instantly met with cheers and screams from excited fans.
And it only took one word for Dua to pump up the energy inside the stadium even more, as she greeted her audience by simply saying: “LIVERPOOL!” before beginning her first song.
Last night, the star largely stuck to her expected setlist from previous shows – with one notable exception. Dua chose to play One Kiss twice during her first Anfield show – once at the start of her set, and then again in a special encore that acknowledged the song’s special significance to the city.
Dua Lipa fans at Anfield(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Dove Cameron is one of the official Radical Optimism tour supporting acts. The singer rose to fame for role as twin characters Liv and Maddie in the eponymous Disney Channel comedy series, as well as her leading role in the network’s Descendants film franchise.
Joining her tonight was Alessi Rose, an indie-pop singer who served as the opening act for Noah Kahan’s 2024 tour, with songs including ‘Say Ur Mine’ and ‘Hate This Part’.
The UK leg of the tour kicked off at Wembley Stadium for two nights on June 20 and 21. Dua surprised her fans when she was joined by special guest Jay Kay to perform his band Jamiroquai’s 1996 hit ‘Virtual Insanity’.
Dua ramped up the excitement when she brought out Brat artist Charli XCX for the second show for a joint rendition of ‘360’. Addressing the audience, she said: “So for this next song, I thought I’d bring a friend out. And let me tell you, she is the biggest brat.”
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.
Dua Lipa fans at Anfield(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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 last night, 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!”
Since rising to fame, the singer and songwriter has developed a strong affinity with the city. The chart-topping Londoner performed at the opening ceremony for the 2018 Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid.
In recent seasons her hit single One Kiss, with fellow ‘honorary Scouser’ DJ Calvin Harris, has become an unofficial Liverpool FC anthem. Recently, crowds at the Liverpool FC victory parade erupted into the chorus of the song when DJ Calvin put it on.