Dua Lipa turns Brisbane Entertainment Centre into dance party

Grammy Award-winning UK pop queen Dua Lipa made up for lost time in her first ever Brisbane show in front of 13,500 screaming fans on Saturday night.

Three time Grammy award winner Dua Lipa transformed Brisbane Entertainment Centre in a full blown dance party, as she performed her first ever concert in Queensland to a full house of 13,500 fans.

The 27-year-old UK popstar promised ‘Future Nostalgia’, the title of her 2020 album, and that’s exactly what she delivered.

The crowd was transported back in time from the opening song ‘Physical’, as the singer and back-up dancers performed a 80s-style workout routine, while singing her ultra-modern pop anthems.

She also performed her chart topping hits New Rules, One Kiss, and Levitating, which had the crowd dancing and chanting from the mosh pit and the stands.

In a moment of candidness with the audience, Dua Lipa shared that Saturday was a day full of firsts, including some close encounters with some Aussie wildlife.

“I experienced lots of firsts today. This is my first show in Brisbane, it was the first time I’ve ever been licked on the face by a dingo, and it was the first time I held a koala,” she told the crowd.

English pop queen Dua Lipa. Picture: Tom Grut

Fans also received an extra surprise as a clip of Elton John singing appeared on the screen during the song ‘Cold Heart’, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy.

The performance three years in the making was as much a feast for the eyes as it was for the ears. Each song was paired with an equally impressive choreography, from sensual and sultry routines to TikTok inspired dance moves and even backup dancers on rollerblades.

The young popstar further proved that she is also a fashion icon, showcasing a number of custom designer looks that would make any fashionista envious, including a Balenciaga catsuit.

The Future Nostalgia Tour was originally announced in December 2019 and scheduled to start in April 2020 but was repeatedly postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, until finally kickstarting in February 2022, finishing in Perth on November 16.

English pop queen Dua Lipa. Picture: Tom Grut

This was Dua Lipa’s first time on stage in Brisbane, after being forced to cancel her support slot at Bruno Mars’ Brisbane show in 2018 due to emergency dental surgery.

“I’m so sorry to have to cancel some of my support shows with Bruno,” she said in the 2018 statement.

“I’ve been performing with an awful pain due to my wisdom teeth and as advised by my dentist and oral surgeon I have to have them imminently removed.”

Dua Lipa’s show wasn’t the only memorable performance of the night, with support act ARIA-winner Tkay Maidza warming up the crowd with her infectious hip hop beats.

Dua Lipa will continue her Australian leg of her Future Nostalgia tour with performances in Sydney November 8 and 9, Melbourne November 11 and 12, Adelaide November 14, and Perth November 16.