Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia Tour Lands in DC
Date: March 2nd, 2022
Venue: Capital One Arena
Washington, DC
Take a moment and think about the last time you went to a concert. Chances are as you began to get close the music of the artist begins to fill the air as cars blast their favorite songs while waiting to park or fans burst into song while waiting in line to get in. This was one of those shows and the environment that surrounded DC’s Capital One Arena, and the artist creating all the buzz was the one and only Dua Lipa. Since releasing her debut album in 2017, Dua Lipa has climbed the charts and made quite the splash amongst the music scene. Her songs have topped the charts not only in the UK but around the world. Following the release of her 2020 sophomore album Future Nostalgia, it was only fitting her and her fashion-forward style brought it to life through a world tour.
As we entered the arena and made our way to the floor, it was clear that fans were excited for this night of music. Dressed in their best sequins and glitter accented ensembles, many were ready to party. It didn’t take long for the party to begin as just after 7:30 the first act took to the stage.
Lolo Zouaï [zoo-eye] has been named “one to watch” by The Guardian. As this French-born American navigates between upbeat pop music and R&B-type vibes she’s truly making her space in music. Throughout her set, she moved back and forth across the stage while jumping around and striking poses all while dressed in a collared shirt and tie, accented by a denim jacket and skirt. Songs like “Caffeine” accompanied the energy, while others like “Moi” and the title track to her album High Highs to Low Lows told the story of the journey of life and love.
Up next was Caroline Polachek. As a New York-born and Connecticut-raised artist, Polachek was originally part of a duo named Chairlift in the late 2000s before breaking into her solo career a few years back. In 2019, she released Pang as the debut album under her own name. Not only is Polachek an incredible musician, but she also carries the storytelling over to her live performances as well.
Throughout her set, she brought us into her world as her vocals paired with lyrical-type choreography and guided us through an audible and visual world with songs such as “Pang,” “Ocean of Tears,” and even her cover of The Corrs “Breathless.” In addition, we got a live performance of one of her latest singles “Billions.”
The time had then finally come. The arena was filled with fans ready to see one of pop’s biggest artists. The staging presented a half circle as the backdrop while the stage extended halfway through the arena in a catwalk style. Above the stage, there were some hints of what the night could include as various large-scale lighting fixtures and inflatable stars and balls hung from the rafters.
Soon the music began as the backdrop activated playing opening credits showcasing the stars of Dua Lip Presents Future Nostalgia. Each performer’s name and image was shown on screen before the main star appeared on screen before rising to the stage in real life. Lipa arrived center stage behind a series of dance railing as she and her dancers kicked off the night with “Physical” all while creating a visual spectacle as Lipa was dressed in a lime green bodysuit while her accompanying dancers created contrast in their blue equivalents.
Throughout the show, she made sure to give DC a night to remember as the team moved downstage while using umbrellas to accompany their choreography during “New Rules.” At one moment Lipa was so into it her microphone went flying and rolled off the stage. Like a true professional, though she didn’t miss a beat as she kept dancing until only a few seconds later a new microphone was in her hands. Later in the show, it was time for a bit of audience participation as she led the crowd in singing “Be the One” while a collection of small spherical lights hung above her and the room was lit in purple and red tones.
Following that, it was time for a bit of an interlude as dancers arrived on roller skates and moved up and down the extended stage to the sounds of “IDGAF” in a nostalgic radio sound before Lipa reappeared from the center of the stage that had opened to create a pool-type look. Then a large inflatable lobster appeared behind her to lead us into “We’re Good.” Later, following the end of a performance of “Fever.” Lipa reemerged from the pool-like cutout in the center of the stage now wearing a flowing bottom half as she climbed the stair and took center stage for a stripped-back version of “Boys Will Be Boys” before she descended into the stage. The vibe changed into EDM and a club environment remix which led us into a dance party as the dancers filled the stage and lights hovered above their heads creating a true club style leading to a balloon drop for “Electricity.”
As the set continued, the show grew larger with the likes of a video cameo from Sir Elton John to accompany their song “Cold Heart” as her, the singers, and dancers sang and swayed along. Then she took the show to a whole other level, literally, as the lighting fixtures we had seen earlier transformed into a floating platform. As Lipa stepped in and rose above the crowd, she was truly “Levitating.” Although that song singled the end of the show, it wasn’t the true end as an encore was in store.
To close out the night, she performed the title track of her latest album and the tour’s name “Future Nostalgia,” as lasers bounced throughout the arena. Finally, before saying goodbye and goodnight to DC it was time to end with a bang as “Don’t Start Now” began. She and the entire crew danced along the stage and concluded with confetti covering the arena.
It was truly an incredible night of music and if you get the chance grab a ticket to check out this memorable spectacle. The US leg of her tour continues through March before shifting to the UK in April and traveling across other countries through the summer.
If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
