“Austin how we doing?” Dua Lipa said Saturday night to her ACL weekend two audience. “I love you guys. I love this city. I love this festival. I love … that I get to do this for the second time.”
The British pop star performed an electric and memorable 18-song set, with each dance number more elaborate than the next. Dua Lipa silences all criticism about her dancing skills within 10 seconds of appearing on stage. Though delayed a few minutes, Lipa made up for every second with an exhilarating and visually pleasing opener of “Training Season.”
Lipa sported a rhinestone-strapped crop top, matching burgundy shorts and knee-high black boots while entrancing the crowd with performances of “One Kiss” and “Illusion.” Lipa sent fans on a journey through her eras, as the crowd screamed “Break My Heart” from her Future Nostalgia album.
“Alright ACL, are you guys ready to go to the moon?” Lipa said before performing “Levitating.” With the crowd energy at an all-time high, she concluded the first half of her performance with fireworks and pyrotechnics.
“I’m not a big sports gal, but I can get down,” Lipa said mid-performance before putting on a #1 Texas jersey, with her name placed on the back. “I know there was a big football game … and you guys won. I brought something. This next song … is a song I’m gonna sing for the rest of my life.”
As “OU sucks” chants died down, Lipa jumped straight into “Be the One” before whipping her red balayage hair around for “Love Again.”
With multicolored strobe lights beaming from the stage, Lipa turned the outdoor festival into a disco nightclub. As her backup dancers broke into intricate numbers between songs throughout the show, Lipa never allowed the energy to subside.
The audience started synchronized claps as “Electricity” begins, then turned their flashlights on for “Cold Heart,” savoring each moment as the night comes to a close.
“ACL, thank you and goodnight,” Lipa said amongst the crowd’s confusion as she ended ten minutes early.
Lights shut off, fans began to leave and one-minute passed before the speakers queued back up to play “Physical” and “Don’t Start Now,” causing a crowd frenzy as they rushed to the front of the stage.
The lights dimmed again and Lipa claimed to conclude the show, waving goodbye to the audience, but seconds later a sinister laugh echoed throughout the surround sound.
“Alright ACL, we have come to the end, this is our very last song,” Lipa said before singing “Houdini.” “Are you guys ready to dance with us for one more?”
Fireworks erupted from behind the stage and Lipa ended the night with fans screaming along, “Catch me or I go, Houdini,” as she pulled the last trick from her hat.
