An Evening with Dua Lipa

An Evening with Dua Lipa
Promotional poster for special
Directed by	Paul Dugdale
Starring	Dua Lipa
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Peter Abbott Dua Lipa Dukagjin Lipa Ben Winston Sally Wood
Production location	Royal Albert Hall
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Production companies	Fulwell 73 Radical22
Original release
Network	ITV1
Release	8 December 2024 (2024-12-08)

An Evening with Dua Lipa is a television special by English and Albanian singer Dua Lipa. The programme aired on British broadcast network ITV1 on 8 December 2024. Consisting of solo performances and a selected duet with British singer Elton John, it was part of the promotion from her third studio album Radical Optimism (2024). The special was recorded on 17 October 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall located in London, England.

The programme also aired on American broadcast network CBS and simulcast through streaming service Paramount+, on 15 December 2024. The singer accompanied on stage by a 53-piece orchestra and musicians related to the artist, notably the Heritage Orchestra. Before its broadcast, Lipa released her debut live album on 6 December 2024 through Warner Records.

Dua Lipa unveiled her third studio album titled Radical Optimism (2024), throughout social media on 13 March 2024.^[1] The project is inspired by Lipa's hometown, London, for its "confidence and freedom of 90s Britpop".^[2] The concept was introduced by a close friend, with Lipa capturing "essence of youth and freedom" so she can incorporate in her recording sessions.^[3] Afterwards, the singer announced her third concert tour in support of the album on 18 March.^[4]

Lipa uploaded a promotional poster on Instagram where she would perform a one-off show located at the Royal Albert Hall in her hometown.^[5] Fans who pre-ordered the album were granted pre-sale access on 10 April, followed by the general ticket sale two days later, via Ticketmaster. Tickets were limited to two per booking with prices varying from £55–£86.^[6] A month later, the neo-psychedelia record was released on 3 May 2024, spawning favourable reviews from music critics.^[7]

The concert took place on 17 October 2024, and Lipa was accompanied on stage with the Heritage Orchestra conducted by British composer Ben Foster, her seven-piece band, and fourteen choristers.^[8] Media outlets reported the show was filmed and set to be released the same year.^[9] Television networks CBS Entertainment and ITV confirmed in a press release on 23 October that the artist would star in a television special titled An Evening with Dua Lipa.^[10][11]

The special starts with the view of an S–shaped catwalk, surrounded by the 53-piece orchestra conducted by Ben Foster. The camera frequently cut to Lipa walking through backstage from the Royal Albert Hall. She appeared onstage debuting her black hair, dressed in a "satin" red dress layered in crimson tulle.^[12] Lipa opened her show with a performance of "Houdini" (2023). Ending the performance, the programme cuts to an interview with Lipa, including footage of herself and the orchestra rehearsing.^[13] She frequently interacted with the audience, such as viewing the attendees' outfits and reaction, she then had herself and the backing vocalists perform "Levitating" (2020) and "Maria" (2024). Resuming to the inteview, Lipa was reminiscing by viewing footage from her younger self singing and credited her childhood music teacher named Ray; they both reunited after not seeing each other for ten years.^[14] "Anything for Love" (2024) was performed in a soft piano rendition.

The singer discussed her close relationship with British singer Elton John, where they both first performed together at his annual AIDS foundation party livestreamed in April 2021.^[15] John remembered calling Lipa for a remix collaboration, in which was an immediate yes. In the special, Lipa reappeared onstage wearing an embroidered "gothic" gown layered with black lace.^[16] As she began performing chart-topping song "Cold Heart" (2021), she welcomed John to the stage and both sang a selected duet.^[17] After having John was escorted off the stage, Lipa sang "Happy for You" (2024) and asked the audience to clap their hands, meanwhile she ran through the stage.

Lipa and her siblings Gjin and Rina wandered through department store Liberty looking for Christmas decoration, and explained how the holidays brings families together during a time of need.^[18] Continuing the programme, Lipa ended the performance with a medley between "Dance the Night" (2023) and "Don't Start Now" (2019), as white confetti falls she thanked the audiance and orchestra in joining with her.^[19]

The CBS version contains additional performances of "These Walls","Love Again", and "Illusion". It also has footage filmed at locations in New York City.

Throughout the programme, Lipa presented an ensemble looks consisting of two customized outfits. When she first appeared onstage, the singer wore a recreated Jean Paul Gaultier corseted cherry–red dress,^[20] layered in crimson tulle, with a dramatic slit, and paired with burgundy opera gloves.^[21] Her second outfit is a custom monochrome Chanel gown composed of embroidered pearls featuring a signature camellia embellishments.^[22] Lipa credited American fashion designer and stylist Jahleel Weaver for curating both gowns.^[23]

Dua Lipa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Live album by Dua Lipa
Released	6 December 2024 (2024-12-06)
Recorded	17 October 2024 (2024-10-17)
Venue	Royal Albert Hall
Length	81:30
Label	Warner
Producer	Charles Monneraud William Bowerman
Dua Lipa chronology
Radical Optimism (2024) Dua Lipa Live from the Royal Albert Hall (2024)

Lipa revealed in November 2024, that her concert special was recorded her first live album,^[24] including a sole guest appearance from British singer Elton John.^[25] The album was later released on 6 December 2024 through Warner Records.^[26]

An Evening with Dua Lipa

Review scores
Source	Rating
The Guardian	[37]
The Independent	[38]

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The Guardian gives an average 3/5. "It’s impressive in scale and ambition, her voice is strong enough not to be swamped by the instrumentation, and there’s absolutely no reason why her brand of dance-pop shouldn’t work laden with strings and brass"

The Independent rates it a score of 4/5. "The effect is palpable long before the English-Albanian disco-pop sensation sets foot on stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which has been transformed into a lavish in-the-round arena for the night.

• Studio 2054 – a livestream concert in support of her second studio album Future Nostalgia (2020).

• An Evening with Dua Lipa at IMDb