DUA LIPA // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
FUTURE NOSTALGIA WORLD TOUR LANDS IN SCOTLAND AFTER TWO-YEAR DELAY.
★★★★★ (5/5)
DUA LIPA // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW - 24TH APRIL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: SHIRLAINE FORREST
Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’ tour serves as something of an odd milestone. The eponymous LP arrived in March 2020; the month in which the grim reality of the Covid-19 became apparent to the world. Despite the record being a hedonistic ode to nights out, most of us experienced Future Nostalgia caged in our homes. Two years in the making and one of the largest events to return to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro post-pandemic (after Stormzy and Dave), for most it seems as if the wait for Dua Lipa's live return has been worth it; to celebrate an album that is unique as it is ubiquitous and, more importantly, to experience inhibition in a room full of 14,000 people who just came for a good night out.
“Less is more” was clearly not a phrase that was uttered during the production phase of this tour (meant in the best possible way). Dua brings a live band, backing singers, a large troupe of performers and even some pro-roller skaters to the Glasgow stage. The stage production and bredth of supporting artists would rival a west-end show. It’s testament to Dua Lipa’s star power that she still manages to shine in such a busy and densely saturated environment, storming through hits such as ‘Physical’, ‘Break My Heart’ and ‘Be the One’. Costume and set changes divide the show into acts, a natural segue created by the supporting cast who serve the crowd ‘cocktails’ on rollerblades or keep the vibe alive with a reggaeton disco. Time away from the stage seems to have had no effect on Dua’s ability to command the stage with her faultless vocals, powerful stage charisma and displays of sex iconography that enticed lively shrieks from the (largely female) crowd.
DUA LIPA // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW - 24TH APRIL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: SHIRLAINE FORREST
A cynic may try to find fault in the show through its constant pedal-to-the-floor extravagance, a cover of Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ interpolated with Dua’s own collaboration ‘Cold Heart’ providing the only real moment to catch a breath. Some performances in the set where perhaps overly reliant on vocal and instrumental playback (mainly ‘Good in Bed’), the only real criticism here being that Dua’s impeccable live vocals and the tightness of her band didn’t get to shine through quite as well at these points. However, these are pedantic gripes that have little basis in being able to detract from what is an exceptional arena-pop stage show. Special appreciation should also be reserved for the bassist, possessing a solid groove that challenged the limits of the PA’s subwoofer, especially on set closer ‘Don’t Start Now’.
Other highlights in the set included Dua performing on a floating platform for ‘Levitating’ (get it?), some rock star headbanging on ‘Future Nostalgia’ and nightclub energy on the Calvin Harris collaboration ‘One Kiss’. The collective energy in the room is palpable; for many this is maybe the largest gathering they have attended in over two years. Only joy can be found in the fact that we will (hopefully) no longer be waiting two years for that night out.
DUA LIPA // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW - 24TH APRIL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: SHIRLAINE FORREST
REVIEW // STRUAN NELSON
PHOTOS // SHIRLAINE FORREST
SETLIST
OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
PHYSICAL
NEW RULES
LOVE AGAIN
COOL
PRETTY PLEASE
BREAK MY HEART
BE THE ONE
WE’RE GOOD
GOOD IN BED
FEVER
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
CLUB FUTURE NOSTALGIA
ONE KISS
ELECTRICITY
HALLUCINATE
COLD HEART
LEVITATING
ENCORE:
FUTURE NOSTALGIA
DON’T START NOW
TOUR DATES
26TH APRIL 2022
NOTTINGHAM // MOTORPOINT ARENA
27TH APRIL 2022
CARDIFF // MOTORPOINT ARENA
29TH APRIL 2022
LIVERPOOL // M&S BANK ARENA
2ND MAY 2022
LONDON // THE O2
3RD MAY 2022
LONDON // THE O2