Dua Lipa surprised fans at Madison Square Garden on Saturday by bringing out legendary musician Nile Rodgers. The two artists performed Chic's iconic disco-funk hit, 'Le Freak.' This collaboration marked the latest instance of Lipa's 'Radical Optimism Tour' tradition, where she performs covers of songs by local artists in each city she visits.
Key Takeaways
- Dua Lipa performed 'Le Freak' with Nile Rodgers at Madison Square Garden.
- This was part of her tour's tradition of covering local artists' songs.
- The Madison Square Garden shows included covers of Alicia Keys and Blondie.
- The 'Radical Optimism Tour' has featured various guest artists and regional covers globally.
Nile Rodgers Joins Dua Lipa in New York
Dua Lipa's performance with Nile Rodgers was a highlight of her third night at Madison Square Garden. The venue, known as the World's Most Famous Arena, hosted four of Lipa's concerts. Rodgers, a Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, played guitar during the rendition of 'Le Freak.'
The song 'Le Freak' reached number one on the charts in the late 1970s. Rodgers co-wrote and co-produced the track with Bernard Edwards. His presence on stage added a significant element to Lipa's show, delighting the New York audience.
Quick Fact
Nile Rodgers is a co-founder of the band Chic. He has produced hit records for artists such as David Bowie, Madonna, and Daft Punk.
A Tour Tradition: Local Covers and Guest Artists
The 'Radical Optimism Tour' has established a pattern of incorporating local music into each concert. This practice began during the Australian and New Zealand leg of the tour. In New York, Lipa previously covered Alicia Keys' 'No One' and Blondie's 'One Way or Another.' Both artists are strongly associated with New York City's musical heritage.
Lipa spoke about the selection process for these covers earlier in the week. She noted the abundance of musical talent originating from New York. "Here in New York, I’m actually spoiled with the choice," Lipa told the crowd.
"Here in New York, I’m actually spoiled with the choice," Dua Lipa commented on the variety of New York artists available for covers.
Global Reach of the 'Radical Optimism Tour'
The tour's tradition extends beyond the United States. In Australia and New Zealand, Lipa performed songs by AC/DC, Lorde, and Kylie Minogue. She also brought out guests like Troye Sivan, Tame Impala, and Neil Finn of Crowded House.
As the tour moved to Europe, the local covers continued, though less frequently. In Madrid, Lipa covered Enrique Iglesias' 'Hero.' For her shows at London's Wembley Stadium, she performed Jamiroquai’s 'Virtual Insanity' with the group's singer, Jay Kay. On another night at Wembley, she welcomed Charli XCX to perform '360.'
Tour Background
The 'Radical Optimism Tour' supports Dua Lipa's album of the same name. The album was released earlier this year and features a blend of disco, pop, and electronic influences. The tour has received positive reviews for its energetic performances and creative setlist.
Diverse Musical Choices Across Cities
Lipa's selection of cover songs showcases a wide range of genres and artists. In Liverpool, she performed 'Valerie,' a song by The Zutons made famous by Amy Winehouse. The city, known as the birthplace of The Beatles, also saw Lipa cover 'Hey Jude' by the legendary band.
In Dublin, Lipa honored an Irish legend by performing Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U.' These choices demonstrate Lipa's respect for the musical history of each region she visits.
- Australia/New Zealand: AC/DC, Lorde, Kylie Minogue
- Madrid: Enrique Iglesias
- London: Jamiroquai, Charli XCX
- Liverpool: The Zutons (Amy Winehouse), The Beatles
- Dublin: Sinead O'Connor
North American Leg Continues with Special Guests
The 'Radical Optimism Tour' recently crossed the Atlantic to North America. The tour opened with two shows in Toronto, Canada. There, Lipa performed Nelly Furtado's 'Like A Bird' and Mustafa's 'Name of God.'
In Chicago, Lipa collaborated with Chaka Khan and covered a song by Earth, Wind, and Fire. The tour then moved to Boston, where she performed Aerosmith's 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.' These performances highlight the tour's commitment to delivering unique, localized experiences for fans.
The tour's final Madison Square Garden show is scheduled for Sunday night. Fans anticipate another surprise cover or guest appearance, given the variety of New York artists still available to honor.