Dua Lipa brought her Radical Optimism Tour to New York City this week, delivering the first of four sold-out shows at the iconic Madison Square Garden. On September 17, the Grammy-winning pop star dazzled fans with a career-spanning setlist filled with hits like “Training Season,” “Don’t Start Now,” “One Kiss,” and “Houdini.” But as with every stop on the tour, it was the surprise cover that became the night’s biggest talking point.
At MSG, Dua paid tribute to hometown legend Alicia Keys, performing a heartfelt rendition of the 2007 hit “No One.” Before stepping into the cover, she projected a throwback video of her younger self singing the song, creating a touching full-circle moment that had the crowd cheering before she even hit the first note.
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The New York tribute follows a growing tradition that has become a defining feature of the Radical Optimism Tour. At each stop, Dua surprises fans with a cover that pays homage to local icons or musical legends. In Atlanta, she gave OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” a sleek twist, while in Boston she channeled disco royalty with Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls.” Earlier in the tour, she performed Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” in Australia, AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” in Brisbane, and Raffaella Carrà’s “A far l’amore comincia tu” in Italy.
The rotating cover slot has quickly become a fan-favorite tradition, adding unpredictability to a show already packed with high-energy visuals, seamless choreography, and Dua’s signature stage presence.
The Radical Optimism Tour supports Dua’s third studio album of the same name, released in 2024. The record has solidified her status as one of the biggest names in pop, with tracks like “Illusion” and “Training Season” quickly becoming fan-favorites. The tour began last March in Australia, moved through Europe over the summer, and is now making its way across North America before heading to South America later this fall.
Photo: Dua Lipa/Instagram
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