Singer continues her Radical Optimism tour trend of covering local artists with help from “trailblazer” Jay Kay
Throughout Dua Lipa’s recent tour of Down Under, the singer covered a different Australian artist every show. That tradition continued Friday as her Radical Optimism tour came to London, with Dua Lipa bringing out Jamiroquai to perform that band’s 1996 hit “Virtual Insanity.”
“It feels really, really special to be here tonight,” Lipa told the sold-out Wembley Stadium crowd. “It is 10 years since our first ever London show to about 350 people, and I just dreamt of a night like this where I get to be in front of 70,000 people.”
Lipa then added that for her London gig, she wanted to bring out an artist who “inspired” her and “someone who has really been a trailblazer for British music and has really paved the way.”
“The one of one, the only, give it up as loud as you fucking can, give it up for Jamiroquai,” Lipa said as that group’s singer Jay Kay strolled out onstage, wearing a typically audacious hat. The two singers and her band then launched into “Virtual Insanity.”
Dua Lipa’s Australian and New Zealand tour saw the singer cover the likes of AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue, while also bringing out guests like Troye Sivan, Tame Impala, and Crowded House’s Neil Finn. The local covers have continued — though less frequently — as the tour headed to Europe, with Lipa covering Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero” in Madrid.
The singer will also perform Saturday night at Wembley Stadium, so expect another cover or guest to shake up the set list. After that, Lipa will head to Liverpool and Dublin to close out the European leg, with a North American tour to kick off in September.
