Dua Lipa: Studio 2054

Promoting the release of latest album Future Nostalgia, pop sensation Dua Lipa invited viewers out for a glorious night of clubbing in her Studio 2054 live-streamed gig. With most of the audience not having stepped into a club for months, the glossy, glitter-filled version of an ordinarily sweaty, often dingy scene brought a rose-tinted, nostalgic vision of the past. The set featured several rooms accommodating various artists including FKA Twigs, The Blessed Madonna on the decks, Angèle in the pink backstage area and Kylie on the dance floor. Artists who could not be in attendance provided “home video” performances on a retro television. Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa cosied up as they sang Prisoner, while Balvin and Bad Bunny contributed verses to Un Día (One Day). Even Elton John made an appearance as a projection performing Rocket Man.

Sequin-clad dancers in 1980s-inspired exercise clothing surrounded the singer as she opened with Future Nostalgia, which was followed by an equally electrifying rendition of Levitating. She moved through huge neon hoops into the next room for Break My Heart. Next, a contrastingly intimate, darkened stage was host to FKA Twigs, who wowed viewers (as always) with excellent pole dancing acrobatics, performing a taster of a song that she and Dua Lipa have recorded but not yet officially released.

The retro workout energy continued into the next room – a 1980s inspired dancefloor mixed with a Shoreditch club, The Blessed Madonna on the decks providing a perfect environment for the ex-model to exercise to Physical. Another change of venue signalled a change of album with a powerful version of New Rules in what looked like a parking lot. Then came several collaborations, all live from Dua Lipa’s dressing room, including a pre-recorded VHS version of Prisoner with Miley Cyrus and a live performance of Fever from Belgian singer Angèle, which worked wonderfully in the more intimate and playful backdrop. After this small respite from the dance floor, Dua Lipa returned in full force, duetting with Kylie in a relaxed version of Real Groove. The show ended with its star, now dressed in a silver-fringed, mesh catsuit, and Don’t Start Now – under a glitter storm, of course.

Dua Lipa has certainly raised the bar as far as live performances go, with this show feeling at times like a music video. The club experience was further heightened by a VIP invitation to an afterparty, where the singer danced behind the decks in her casual album promo t-shirt. The experience was a real treat for fans and anyone missing the fun of going to clubs and dancing.

Georgie Cowan-Turner

 

For further information and future events visit Dua Lipa’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Future Nostalgia here: