Dua Lipa delivered a stunning performance during her first-ever headline slot at Glastonbury, captivating the audience with an ambitious and dynamic show. Taking the Pyramid Stage shortly after 10pm, she opened with a flawless sequence of five songs: “Training Season,” “One Kiss,” “Illusion,” “Break My Heart,” and “Levitating.” Each song featured breathless choreography akin to an award show performance, maintaining an energetic pace throughout the night.
Her setlist included 15 top 40 hits, such as “Don’t Start Now,” “Physical,” and “New Rules,” alongside collaborations with Elton John (“Cold Heart”) and Mark Ronson (“Electricity”). Notably, she opted not to perform her hit “Dance The Night,” instead featuring it in a video interlude during one of her five costume changes.
Lipa’s raspy mezzo-soprano voice resonated through the warm Somerset air, particularly shining on the dramatic ballad “Happy For You” and the sensuous “Houdini,” which closed her set. Paying tribute to Shakespear’s Sister, one of Glastonbury’s first female headliners in 1992, she wore a t-shirt displaying the cover of their album “Hormonally Yours.”
On stage, Lipa spoke about manifesting this headline moment, having dreamt of it before recording her first album. She reminisced about one of her earliest gigs, where she performed for just 10 people enticed by free drinks, contrasting it with the nearly 100,000-strong crowd at Glastonbury.
“It’s a lot, innit? A lot to take in,” she said, expressing her awe at the immense audience stretching back to Rowmead, an area newly opened in 2024 to accommodate larger crowds. “Little me would just be beside herself right now,” she added, reflecting on her journey to this monumental achievement.
Dua Lipa’s Glastonbury headline performance was a masterclass in precision and showmanship. Every song was meticulously polished, every vocal harmonized, and every move executed flawlessly. Despite the perfection, the performance did not feel sterile.
A standout moment was when Dua ran down to the barriers to join the crowd as they sang along to her early hit “Be The One.” While not entirely spontaneous—mirroring a similar moment from her 2017 Glastonbury performance—the joy on her face was genuine as she climbed the fences and stood face-to-face with her fans.
The show featured a surprise appearance by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, with whom she collaborated on her new album “Radical Optimism.” Together, they performed “The Less I Know The Better.” Freed from the rigorous choreography, Dua simply vibed with Parker on stage, revealing a more relaxed side of her usually controlled public persona. “Tonight I get to pretend I’m in Tame Impala,” she beamed.
The set, while occasionally feeling geared towards the global TV audience, was expertly crafted to maintain engagement. The aerobic dance routines, although impressive, left little room for spontaneity. However, the audience’s attention never wavered. Even the newer, less familiar material was cleverly sequenced, ensuring a certified hit was never more than three minutes away.
New Rules mash-up
Before the show, Dua Lipa aimed to transform Glastonbury “into a nightclub,” and she delivered on that promise. Each song received a sonic overhaul, incorporating elements from the 90s rave scene and enhancing beats with deep, resonant bass. Her breakout hit “New Rules” was even mashed up with “Glue” by Northern Irish dance act Bicep, creating a set that felt like the VIP room of a gritty European nightclub, but on a massive scale.
Lipa’s outfits were meticulously chosen to fit the club theme, blending seamlessly with her dancers’ attire. From a chunky studded belt to red-and-black flamed hotpants, her fashion choices enhanced the immersive experience. Notably, she wore flat shoes, facilitating her dancing and adding to the vibe of a shared night out rather than a performance by an untouchable pop icon.
The show was punctuated by fireworks and confetti, amplifying the sense of celebration and staking her claim to Glastonbury immortality. Her ambition set a high bar for the other headliners, including five-time performers Coldplay, to match. Watching from the front row, it was clear that Dua Lipa had more than succeeded in her mission.
Dua Lipa’s Glastonbury setlist
1. Training Season
2. One Kiss
3. Illusion
4. Break My Heart
5. Illusion
6. These Walls
7. Be The One
8. The Less I Know The Better (Tame Impala cover)
9. Be The One
10. Falling Forever
11. Love Again
12. Pretty Please
13. Hallucinate
14. New Rules
15. Electricity
16. Cold Heart
17. Happy For You
18. Physical
19. Don’t Start Now
20. Houdini
