Dua Lipa Lights Up La With Four Epic Nights On ‘Radical Optimism’ Tour – Our Socal Review

Dua Lipa Takes Over LA with ‘Radical Optimism’ Tour

Hollywood’s got a new dance diva in town, and her name is Dua Lipa. The British pop sensation just wrapped four straight nights at Inglewood’s Kia Forum (that iconic SoCal arena where legends are made), delivering her ‘Radical Optimism’ Tour with all the glitz and groove of a Sunset Strip party. From surprise guest appearances to throwback covers, Lipa proved she’s got the moves and the mezzo-soprano magic to keep LA buzzing.

On night three, none other than Lionel Richie rolled up for a Caribbean-infused duet of his classic ‘All Night Long,’ sending the crowd into a total frenzy. It’s the kind of moment that screams LA - where A-listers pop up like it’s just another Tuesday. And with tonight marking the final show of her LA leg, let’s just say Dua left the 405 of pop concerts with zero traffic - pure fire.

Her setlist is a love letter to the ‘70s and ‘80s, dripping with disco and retro beats. Whether she’s channeling Miami’s Gloria Estefan with ‘Conga’ on other stops or slowing it down with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ right here in LA, Dua knows how to pay homage while making it her own. Night one, which we caught live, had her rocking a Jean Paul Gaultier silver corset before slipping into a black lacy Valentino catsuit - pure Hollywood red carpet vibes.

Standout Moments That Stole the Show

What’s winning hearts in this ‘Radical Optimism’ extravaganza? It’s those intimate, slow-burn moments where Dua strips it back and lets her vocal range shine brighter than the Hollywood sign. Think her haunting start to ‘Training Season’ or the emotional build of ‘Maria,’ a Latina-infused banger paired with a single dancer stealing the spotlight centerstage - hands down the night’s best number.

Then there’s the tear-jerker ‘Anything for Love,’ where she goes a cappella and leaves the crowd speechless. It’s proof that behind the high-energy dance moves, there’s a voice that could stop traffic on Wilshire Boulevard. These quieter beats balance out the non-stop party of hits like ‘Levitating’ and ‘Break My Heart’ from Act I.

“Dua’s got that rare mix of raw talent and pure LA energy - when she slows it down, you feel every note like it’s just for you,” raved a longtime fan outside the Kia Forum after night one.

Facing the Pop Princess Competition in SoCal

Let’s be real - LA’s pop concert scene is as crowded as the 101 during rush hour. Dua’s hitting the stage after heavyweights like Madonna’s ‘The Celebration Tour’ back in March, Billie Eilish’s ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ in December, and this summer’s The Weeknd with ‘After Hours Til Dawn.’ Plus, Lady Gaga’s ‘The Mayhem Ball’ and the upcoming Sabrina Carpenter ‘Short n’ Sweet Tour’ next month? The competition’s stiffer than a Botox party in Beverly Hills.

To stand out in this laser-light, digital-backdrop game (Dua’s show kicks off with rolling ocean visuals morphing into arctic landscapes), you’ve gotta bring a unique edge. While Gaga leans into gothic couture drama and Weeknd blends sci-fi mystique, Dua plays it straight - all song and dance, no over-the-top melodrama. Her show echoes Christina Aguilera’s ‘Back to Basics’ Tour from ‘06-’08, flashing through hits in bursts of orange, purple, and red.

Her escapist jams like ‘Dance the Night Away’ from the Barbie soundtrack and empowerment anthems like ‘New Rules’ keep the vibe high. Still, her encore - wrapping with ‘Houdini’ - felt rushed, clocking out by 10:45 p.m. on Saturday despite a late start. Compared to Gaga’s 2.5-hour marathon, Dua’s exit was a true Houdini disappearing act.

Dance Moves and Future Hopes

No question, Dua can dance - she’s constantly strutting and swinging those hips with her backup crew, owning numbers like ‘Levitating.’ Unlike some pop acts (looking at you, Fergie and Black Eyed Peas), she’s got moves for days, rivaling even Billie Eilish’s iconic jump-in-place energy from ‘Bad Guy.’ Dua’s the reina of hip-swinging, but after the jaw-dropping choreography in her ‘Houdini’ and ‘Dance the Night’ videos by Charm La’Donna (who also helmed the tour), we were hoping for some next-level Twyla Tharp or Bob Fosse flair.

Still, there’s tons to be hyped about with ‘Radical Optimism.’ This is just her third headlining tour at 30, following 2017’s self-titled run and 2022’s ‘Future Nostalgia.’ With a team like choreographer Charm La’Donna, production designer Matt Pitman of Pixelmappers, and tour director Peter Abbott, the foundation is solid as a Malibu cliffside mansion.

Training season might be over, but we’re already stoked to see how Dua evolves her stage game next. Will she keep the party running with not a hair out of place? Bet on it - this SoCal stop showed she’s got the beats and the heart to keep dancing the night away.

Setlist from Night One at Kia Forum

Act I

‘Training Season’

‘End of an Era’

‘Break My Heart’

‘One Kiss’

Act II

‘Whatcha Doing’

‘Levitating’

‘These Walls’

Cover - ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac

‘Maria’

Act III

‘Physical’

‘Electricity’

‘Hallucinate’

‘Illusion’

Act IV

‘Falling Forever’

‘Happy for You’

‘Love Again’

‘Anything for Love’

‘Be the One’

Encore

‘New Rules’

‘Dance the Night’

‘Don’t Start Now’

‘Houdini’