Pop-goddess on the rise. Pop music’s newest it-girl. Youtube star turned international pop sensation. All of these are just a few phrases to describe English singer/songwriter/model Dua Lipa. Hailing from London and born to Kosovar-Albanian parents, the stunning Dua Lipa has been taking the interwebs and pop world by storm since she began uploading her pop covers to Youtube at the tender age of 14. Since then – Dua Lipa has navigated her way (not without trials) through the modeling world and ever competitive music world before eventually snagging a coveted record deal with Warner Brothers Group and launching her career on the fast-track.
On Sunday night in Minneapolis, the crowd at The Armory got to experience peak Dua Lipa who is in her prime but is also on her way in one direction – up. The Twin Cities got to experience this pop goddess on the rise but in the intimacy of a venue like The Armory (the perfect mid-point between a First Avenue or Palace Theater and a major stadium). With Pride winding down on Sunday afternoon in the Twin Cities, there was no shortage of good vibes to go around and the crowd at The Armory was contagious with good energy ahead of Dua Lipa’s set. With an all-ages crowd the doors to the Armory opened shortly after 6:00 pm giving the crowd plenty of time to file in before opener Clairo’ set.
At just 19-years young, the lo-fi/bedroom pop queen Clairo (aka Claire Cottrill) is making a name for herself in her own right. Hailing from Carlisle, Massachusetts, Clario, like Dua Lipa got her start like so many other pop stars today but uploading her DIY songs to Bandcamp and Soundcloud. Last year her track “Pretty Girl” went viral on YouTube and like her headliner, Dua Lipa, set her career on the fast track. Clairo is currently touring in support of her 2018 EP titled diary 001. Clairo brought her ultra-cool vibes to The Armory and was the perfect warm-up ahead of Dua Lipa. Switching back and forth between guitar and vocals it’s clear Clairo isn’t just Youtube hype – but the real deal. Clairo is part of a new wave of electro-pop and it’s refreshing as hell. Though a lot of the crowd at the Armory may not have recognized Clario before last night it’s safe to say she made some new fans with her infectiously catchy tracks such as “Flaming Hot Cheetos” and “B.O.M.D.” We expect to see Clairo headlining her own tour very soon and hope to see her back in the Twin Cities very soon.
After Clairo’s set, anticipation began to fill The Armory as the stage was flipped for Dua Lipa’s set. Top-40 and hip hop blared over the speakers as the crowd danced ahead of Dua Lipa’s set. Again, with pride weekend wrapping up in the Twin Cities there was no shortage of good energy to go around. Much of the crowd at The Armory was decked out in rainbow and glitter and other pride apparel and ready to dance along with the reigning queen of pop Dua Lipa. Shrotly after 8:30, Dua Lipa took to The Armory stage for her opening track, the infectiously catchy Blow Your Mind. Dua Lipa was decked out in a head-to-toe shimmery body suite with a black bikini top giving us all the outfit (and rocking bod) envy. There was really no way to not have fun during Dua Lipa’s set. From the dancey beats to colorful lights to mesmerizing LCD screens swirling behind her to her A-team backup dancers. The pop star made The Armory in Minneapolis feel like a nightclub in Miami and honestly, we were all there for it. It was the ultimate concert for a steamy June evening. Dua Lipa rocked The Armory for a little over and hour and half and that still felt like not quite enough. She closed out her set with her mega hits including IDGAF and New Rules. Dua Lipa continues her self-titled tour on Tuesday in Denver.
Set List: Blow Your Mind (Mwah) / Dreams / No Lie / My Love (Wale cover) / Lost in Your Light/ High / Garden / Last Dance / Be the One / Thinking ‘Bout You / New Love / Genesis / One Kiss (Calvin Harris cover) / Scared to Be Lonely (Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa cover) / Homesick / No Goodbyes / Hotter Than Hell / Begging / IDGAF / New Rules