Dua Lipa Transforms The Philippine Arena Into One Giant Rave For The ‘Radical Optimism’ World Tour – Review

Dua Lipa is undoubtedly a superstar.

The 29-year-old musician’s meteoric (and well-deserved) rise to fame over the past few years has resulted in billions of streams, millions of followers, and a plethora of hit singles that continue to dominate airwaves all across the globe. While it may seem easy to note such details as mere statistics, what took place at the Philippine Arena last November 13, 2024, further proves that Dua herself is the true embodiment of what a pop icon should be.

At the second show of her ongoing Radical Optimism World Tour, the celebrated hitmaker gave her fans everything and more with a show-stopping performance that had the thousands of fans in attendance ‘dancing the night away.’ With the show following six years since her last performance in Manila, it was the perfect reunion for both Dua and her audience alike, wherein the concert marked a shared experience that was well worth the wait.

While the party often gets started once the show proper begins, what unfolded as the clock hit 7 PM was a mini rave of its own, courtesy of Dua’s eclectic pre-show playlist. Backed by disco tunes from Prince, Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, and more, the energy was slowly building up from each section of the arena, with many in attendance beginning to get their groove on to such classic hits from the ’70s and ’80s.

However, nothing could prepare the crowd for what was to take place once Dua stepped on stage, with the lights pitch black and the echoes of the opening notes to “Training Season” began reverberating across the venue. With the massive screen’s visuals painting the vibrant visualizers to the track, it enveloped everyone into Dua’s world in an instant. 

With the use of a live band to reimagine the track into an arena-sized anthem, Dua’s live rendition of “Training Season” was even more astounding than its studio recording and was perfectly complemented by impressive choreography all around, together with powerhouse vocals from the pop star herself. What occurred in the opening track was just a mere glimpse of what else was to take place throughout the night — with nearly every track of her setlist making good use of rearrangements and differing renditions to add a novelty to every performance throughout the night.

Picking up on the heightened energy of the crowd, Dua followed it up with the smooth and infectious beats of “One Kiss,” which seamlessly transitioned into the club-ready and choreograph-heavy “Illusion” that transformed the venue into one massive rave reminiscent of what you’d find in Ibiza. ” Her killer groove and sheer star power drew audiences in with every track as if it subconsciously asked us to dance along with every move of hers.

“Manila, how’re we feeling tonight?” she greets the audience. “They told me tonight was going to be crazy, they told me tonight was going to be loud. I’m very excited to be here as it’s been a long time since my last time performing in Manila,” she continues — to which the crowd responds with a chorus of whoops and cheers. “I think one thing for me that’s always important is that no matter what’s happening outside of these four walls, it’s just me and you together. So we should just enjoy that, and be in the moment.”

The energetic “End Of An Era” followed immediately after, and was soon paired against the chart-topping single “Break My Heart.” As she continued on with the rousing “Whatcha Doing” and fan-favorite “Levitating,” it was clear that tonight’s setlist was a celebration of the English pop-star’s greatest hits, making every performance an awe-inspiring showcase of her talents.

With her choreography alone, it was evident that Dua had improved significantly in what she could offer fans and audiences. The technique and determination that she’d demonstrated on stage was a far cry from the 2018 meme that many of us are aware of, which further highlighted her stark evolution as a performer. 

To slow things down a bit, Dua followed up such choreography-heavy numbers with tracks that highlighted her vocals — including “These Walls” and her breakthrough hit from 2017 “Be The One.” Fans sang along as they simultaneously swayed in their seats, which elicited some laughs from the pop star as she found herself impressed with the crowd in attendance.

Still, the party was far from over, given the barrage of hits that came immediately after: “Love Again,” “Pretty Please,” “Hallucinate,” and “New Rules,” remixed together in a near-seamless set filled with a whole lot of confetti and bass. It was arguably one of the highlights of the show, immersing the audience in a rave-like atmosphere that was adorned with a blast of colorful visualizers that were almost hallucinogenic in their effect. In numerous ways, it was almost like a sensory overload (in the best of ways) that culminated in a ton of cheers as everyone moved to the rhythm.

Dua then performed two signature collaborations from her repertoire, such as the Silk City, Diplo, and Mark Ronson track “Electricity,” and Elton John’s chart-breaking “Cold Heart.” Though both had everyone still in a party mood, it was a much needed cool-down following the high-octane nature of the last few tracks. Even she herself was casually swaying as she sang along to Elton John’s lyrics from “Tiny Dancer.”

Following a quick outfit change, the beloved pop figure performed a stripped-down and piano-laden version of the ballad “Anything For Love.” Armed with nothing but a microphone and her belting capabilities, the performance stood out as an excellent presentation of her rich vocal talents that had audiences shell-shocked by what was witnessed. Yet for its latter chorus, Dua stepped away from the mic to encourage the audience to sing along, which resulted in a humorous moment in which the crowd mixed up the lyrics, leading the singer to giggle while commending their efforts.

However, if there’s one performance that exemplified Dua as the vocal powerhouse that she is (and should be recognized for), it would be that of Radical Optimism’s power ballad and closing track, “Happy For You.” With the visuals set to a stunning sky-like display, Dua looked angelic as wind blowers blew against her on stage — with her voice as expressive as you could imagine. Through how the track was conveyed, it was both liberating and cathartic for the English pop star and her audience, making it a strong moment from an already impressive show.

To cap off the night, Dua encouraged her fans to get “Physical” as they danced to the track of the same name, which was then followed by another banger of a track, “Dance The Night.” Both sets had an aura that had everyone freely moving to the beat, just as you’d wish to experience at an indoor dance party such as this. Yet while it may have been the closing act of the show, the singer still had two more delightful surprises in store for the crowd with the concert’s encore.

“This is our last chance to dance. Are you guys ready?” she asks the audience upon her return. The fan-favorite “Don’t Start Now” had the entire arena singing and dancing along in a shared, euphoric moment that had her stating, “Manila, give it to me one more time!” By the time the set’s final track, “Houdini” came along, everyone was in a lucid-like state that left us breathless and in awe. And as the track’s infamous dance break came along, the screams across the Philippine Arena had become louder than ever — ringing until the moment Dua disappeared by the final line, “Catch me or I go houdini.”

True to her word, the pop juggernaut transformed the massive space of the arena into one giant dance party and left everyone in attendance with memories of a night they’d never forget. Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism World Tour stop in Manila proved once again why she is one of the most celebrated artists of her generation. From her powerhouse vocals and evolution as a performer to her flawless choreography and charismatic stage presence, she showed exactly why she has earned her superstar status. Each track in the setlist felt like a celebration of her career, a carefully crafted journey through her musical milestones — seamlessly blending the old with the new and delivering something fresh at every turn.

The energy was palpable from the very first note to the last, and the sheer joy on Dua’s face, as she engaged with the audience, made it clear that this was just as much a moment for her as it was for her fans.

In every sense, Dua Lipa delivered a performance that was bold, (surprisingly) emotional, and undeniably unforgettable. She herself isn’t just a pop star; she’s an icon in the making, and her Manila performance was a testament to why she continues to captivate audiences all over the world. With the Radical Optimism World Tour, she reminded us that music is a celebration of life, love, and the euphoric moments we share together — and for that, we can all be happy for her.

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines and Nixon Sy.

Listen to Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism below: