Dua Lipa raised the bar for this year’s Glastonbury headliners, performing a stylish set of hits to a huge crowd on the festival’s famous Pyramid Stage.
The 28-year-old star told fans that she had manifested the moment, but watching her command the stage – hit after hit played, voice soaring, dance moves effortless – it seemed like her talent was always going to get her here.
Starting with Training Season, from their latest album Radical Optimism, Lipa kept energy levels high on tracks like Be The One, Levitating, Hallucinate, One Kiss, Physical, New Rules and Don’t Start Now.
As is Glastonbury tradition, fireworks lit up the sky during and after the set, while several costume changes also added to the sense of occasion – which the singer described as “the craziest night of my life”.
Telling the audience about the manifestation of the experience, she also hinted that she would stay at the festival to enjoy the rest of the weekend (although probably not in a tent, I suppose).
“I wrote this moment. I wished for it, I dreamed it, I worked so hard hoping that maybe one day I’ll be able to do it and I can’t believe I’m here,” she said.
“You know, when I wrote this, I was very specific, I said I really wanted to headline the Pyramid stage on a Friday night, because then I knew I could party for the next two days in the best place on the planet.
“I’m so grateful, my little one would be beside herself right now.”
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Photo: PA
Lipa’s performance included Cold Heart, her collaboration with Sir Elton John, which saw her greet delighted fans at the front of the crowd, who had no doubt been there for hours to save the place.
She followed another Glastonbury tradition by bringing in a surprise guest – Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, to perform The Less I Know The Better from his band’s 2015 album Currents – and teased Barbie’s Dance The Night during one of her many costume changes.
The star also showed awareness of the festival’s audience, with images of ’90s raves on screens and confetti cannons exploding rainbows.
It’s something some big acts can get wrong – to go down in Glastonbury history as a headliner, it needs to be more than just an extra show on tour.
Photo: PA
At times, though, the set was so elegant that it seemed more aimed at the TV audience than the audience – some songs found Lipa performing for the camera, with her back to the audience, for good times – but when the choreography this It’s good, it’s captivating to watch wherever you are. It’s a small complaint.
Festival organizer Emily Eavis had previously said that Lipa was “born” to headline.
The moment the star closed the set with Houdini, she was proven absolutely right.
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If Lipa actually stays to enjoy the weekend, she’ll be able to see for herself the huge array of brilliant acts on offer.
But as far as headlines go, it’ll be hard to top it – a masterclass from a world-class pop star.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
