Dua Lipa Captivates Glastonbury 2024 with Her First Headlining Performance
By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 2:00PM GMT Sat, 29, 2024
Dua Lipa manifested her dream Glastonbury moment with a spectacular and ambitious performance that will be remembered for years. The 28-year-old pop sensation took the Pyramid Stage by storm, delivering a dynamic set filled with her greatest hits and more. This was Dua Lipa’s first headline slot at the iconic festival, and she did not disappoint.
A Stellar Performance
Taking the stage shortly after 10 PM, Dua Lipa opened with a powerful sequence of five songs: “Training Season,” “One Kiss,” “Illusion,” “Break My Heart,” and “Levitating.” Each track was accompanied by breathless choreography reminiscent of a high-energy award show performance, maintaining a relentless pace throughout the night.
The setlist featured 15 top 40 hits, including fan favorites like “Don’t Start Now,” “Physical,” and “New Rules,” along with her collaborations with Elton John (“Cold Heart”) and Mark Ronson (“Electricity”). Surprisingly, her recent hit “Dance The Night” from the Barbie soundtrack was not performed live but was included as a video interlude during one of her five costume changes.
Vocal Brilliance and Emotional Tributes
Dua’s raspy mezzo-soprano resonated beautifully in the warm Somerset air, particularly during the dramatic ballad “Happy For You” and the sensuous “Houdini,” which closed her set. She paid tribute to Shakespear’s Sister, one of Glastonbury’s earliest female headliners, by wearing a t-shirt featuring their album “Hormonally Yours.”
On stage, Dua repeatedly spoke about manifesting this moment. She shared how she had dreamt of headlining Glastonbury even before recording her first album. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled her early gigs where she performed to just 10 people who “only came because we offered them free drinks.” Now, almost 100,000 people watched her perform, stretching all the way back to Rowmead.
Highs and Highlights
In a tiny moment of vulnerability amidst an otherwise polished set, Dua expressed her awe at the audience’s size, saying, “It’s a lot, innit? A lot to take in. Little me would just be beside herself right now.” Every song was meticulously performed, with no vocal left unharmonized and no hair out of place. However, the show was anything but clinical.
One of the most memorable moments came when she ran down to the barriers to join the crowd as they sang along to “Be The One.” Although this moment was somewhat premeditated, the joy on Dua’s face was genuine. Shortly afterward, she brought out Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker to perform “The Less I Know The Better,” a track from her new album “Radical Optimism.” Freed from choreography, Dua vibed out with Parker, giving the audience a glimpse of her relaxed, authentic self.
A Club Atmosphere on a Grand Scale
Dua’s goal was to turn Glastonbury “into a nightclub,” and she succeeded. Her songs were given a sonic overhaul, incorporating sounds from the 90s rave scene and enhancing beats with trunk-rumbling sub-bass. Her breakout hit “New Rules” was even mashed up with “Glue” by Northern Irish dance act Bicep, creating a festival staple.
Her fashion choices complemented the club theme, blending seamlessly with her dancers’ outfits. Notably, Dua wore flat shoes to facilitate her energetic dancing, enhancing the feeling of a night out rather than a performance by an untouchable pop icon.
With fireworks and confetti, Dua Lipa’s set at Glastonbury 2024 felt like a bid for festival immortality. She set a high bar for the weekend’s other headliners, including Coldplay.
Dua Lipa’s Glastonbury Setlist:
- Training Season
- One Kiss
- Illusion
- Break My Heart
- Levitating
- These Walls
- Be The One
- The Less I Know The Better (Tame Impala cover)
- Falling Forever
- Love Again
- Pretty Please
- Hallucinate
- New Rules
- Electricity
- Cold Heart
- Happy For You
- Physical
- Don’t Start Now
- Houdini
Other Highlights:
- Jungle, Idles, and Jamie xx delivered outstanding performances.
- Fred Again caused chaos at the Stonebridge Bar.
- Sugababes brought the West Holts stage to a standstill.
- LCD Soundsystem provided an emotional sunset set.
- Fontaines DC delivered a polished headline set on The Park Stage.
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