Dua Lipa Strips Down ‘Radical Optimism’ for Tiny Desk

Dua Lipa is reimaging the pop perfection of Radical Optimism for NPR‘s Tiny Desk. On Friday, NPR Music shared the British star’s special performance of a handful of songs from her most recent album.

Lipa opened her set by performing a stripped-back version of Radical Optimism single “Training Season,” backed by a soft piano and vocalists before she picked up the song’s pace with drums and glockenspiel.

“I’ve always wanted to come down and be by the desk. We did an at-home Tiny Desk in 2020, so this feels really special,” Lipa said. (At the time, she played songs from Future Nostalgia, including “Don’t Start Now” and “Levitating.”) “We have a lot to live up to so hopefully we can top that one up.”

Lipa then transitioned into “These Walls” and “Happy for You,” sharing she had “never done” an acoustic version of the track before. “I’ve loved watching Tiny Desks and I love how artists reimagine their music and it’s always really inspiring,” she said. Lipa concluded her set by performing a groovier version of her hit “Houdini,” including a guitar and glockenspiel solo to end the performance.

The new performance comes a week after Lipa performed a cover of “Believe” with Cher at the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony where Cher was being honored. Lipa is scheduled to kick off her Radical Optimism tour in Singapore in November, before making her way through Asia and Europe. She’ll come to North America next September.