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Dua Lipa Radical Optimism Tour 2025 in Liverpool
- Agne
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
I had almost made peace with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to catch Dua Lipa during her Radical Optimism Tour. I already had five other concerts and trips planned around the same time, and I didn’t want to spend a fortune on it. But I decided to check my options one last time and… on June 25th, I ended up seeing Dua Lipa in Liverpool - marking the end of a wild run of seven concerts within just one month.
Tickets for Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour for Liverpool N2 Show
One of the main reasons I chose the Liverpool show was that there were still tickets available when I was checking dates in May. So I got a Gold Circle West Pitch Standing ticket for €155.
Concert Trip Planning
Another big reason was the timing - I was free that week. I also found out there were direct flights from my hometown, Kaunas, to Liverpool. So my mom and I booked a flight for the evening of June 24. On the 25th, we had half a day to explore the city (we ended up visiting The Beatles Story museum, which we loved!), went to the concert, and flew back early on the 26th. It was a quick trip, but the direct flights made it super convenient.
Concert Day Timeline
Here’s how the day went down:
5:00 PM - Doors
5:05 PM - I arrived at the venue
6:15 PM - Alessi Rose
7:15 PM - Dove Cameron
8:15 PM - Dua Lipa
10:15 PM - Show ended
The Venue – Anfield Stadium
The show took place at the legendary Anfield Stadium - home of Liverpool F.C. since 1892 and the fifth-largest stadium in England, with a capacity of 61,276.
Before the concert, I received detailed information about the venue layout, entrances, and instructions, so everything felt well organized. When we arrived, there were plenty of signs and helpful staff guiding people to the correct turnstiles, so the whole process went as smoothly as possible.
Inside the venue, everything was just as well organized. There were lots of staff showing directions to the exits, food and drink stands, and bathrooms - so there was no chance of getting lost, haha. At least in our sector (West Pitch), there were no queues for the bathrooms or drinks, which really added to the great overall experience.
After the show, we decided to walk back, as the only public transport option was the bus - and you can imagine how packed that was with 60,000 people leaving the venue at the same time. But walking took about 40 minutes and was easy to navigate, as there was a huge crowd heading in the same direction.
Pre-Show Vibes
As we planned to spend half the day exploring the city and visiting the Beatles museum, we knew we wouldn’t arrive at the venue too far in advance - but we still wanted to make it in time for the doors opening. We managed to arrive just after 5 PM, and when we entered the venue, the first couple of rows were already filled, but it wasn’t too crowded yet.
We secured a great spot in front of the runway, near the corner of the barricade - probably 4th or 5th row. While we could’ve moved closer to the barricade in other areas, we chose this spot because we were very close to the end of the runway (B-stage) and had a nice overview of the whole stage and the screens. You can see on the map where we stood exactly and what the stage layout looked like.
We sat on the ground while waiting, and it was easy to grab drinks or use the bathroom since the crowd was still slowly filling in. The whole wait felt super chill and quick - by 6:15 the first opener was already on, and at 8:15 Dua Lipa herself came on stage.
Dua Lipa and Her Pop Icon Triumph
I remember hearing Dua Lipa for the first time in 2016 with her single Be the One, and then becoming obsessed with New Rules. I was never a hardcore fan, but her music from all three albums has always been around for me. I remember that, in the early days, she was criticized for her stage presence (and that dance…), but that’s long gone - she’s grown into a true powerhouse.
From the moment Dua Lipa stepped on stage, she delivered a top-notch, high-energy performance. Thinking of that dance? Now she has a flawless routine for every song - including some backbends I didn’t even know were physically possible while singing. She opened with Training Season, and Anfield instantly turned into a massive dance club.
The setlist was one of the best I’ve experienced - energetic, emotional, and beautifully paced. She performed a surprise acoustic cover of Hey Jude, which felt especially special since we had started our day with the Beatles. She also sang one of my favorite songs from the new album, These Walls (which she mentioned is her favorite too!).
Then we moved into an upbeat section with songs like Physical and Illusion - truly a non-stop bangers setlist. When it came time for Love Again, she performed it on the B-stage surrounded by a circle of fire, then ran to the C-stage while high-fiving fans and continued singing on an elevated platform.
Between sets, she took time to talk to fans, read their posters, take selfies, and even accepted a gift from one of them. Later, during Be the One, she took a phone from a fan and filmed a video while singing - taking fan interaction to the next level. I really hope more artists start doing this during their shows. It might take just a few minutes, but for those fans, it’s a memory that lasts forever.
Finally, for the last set of the night, we got all the top hits - New Rules, Dance the Night, and Don’t Start Now. The grand finale with Houdini, fireworks, lights, and dance routines was the perfect ending to an incredible show You can check the full setlist here.
A Manual for the Perfect Show
As a professional concert-goer, I really want to take a moment to appreciate the work and effort that went into this show - and how Dua Lipa has grown into a great performer. There were so many things I loved about this concert that it could honestly serve as a manual for how to put on a great show.
She struck the perfect balance between production and musical focus. She performed full versions of songs (sometimes even extended!) and still managed to fit 23 tracks into a two-hour show. That, in my opinion, should be the standard - otherwise, the concert can feel too short for overwhelmed fans trying to take it all in.
Also… let’s talk outfits. There were five different looks, but my favorite was the blue Balenciaga dress with the oversized faux fur coat - complete with a Union Jack lining. And then… the Chanel bodysuit that inspired my DIY outfit. Easily one of the best concert wardrobes I’ve seen (excluding Dan Reynolds, but that’s another story).
The stage design was also excellent - a clean but dynamic setup with a catwalk, a balcony-style podium, and a small C-stage with a lift. Visual effects like confetti, fireworks, and fire were perfectly balanced and never overshadowed the music. For my personal concert taste, it was the ideal setup.
I knew I’d enjoy the concert, but Dua completely blew me away.
City of Liverpool and Its People
Lastly - Liverpool! I didn’t know much about the city beforehand besides the Beatles, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s cozy, with a mix of modern and historic architecture, and has the beautiful Royal Albert Dock area.
The bar and pub scene is great too - many offer live music, and they’re all within walking distance. After the concert, we went to a nearby pub and enjoyed live music and a beer for just £3.50 - haven’t seen those prices in a while, haha!
The city is very walkable, and everything was easy to get to. We took an Uber from the airport (about 20 minutes to the city center), and everything else we did on foot. Getting to the stadium is simple by bus or Uber, and as mentioned earlier, walking back worked just fine.
And the people? So friendly! Our Uber driver gave us a mini tour and some great local tips. The stadium staff were also amazing - helpful, funny, and made the whole experience even better.
Final Thoughts
This entire trip blew me away. I didn’t expect to fall in love with Liverpool - the vibes, the people, and everything in between - and Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour in Liverpool exceeded every expectation. Her performance was a true pop spectacle, and she deserves every bit of applause for how far she’s come.
For the full story and more concert adventures, check out my Instagram @concerts_enthusiast!
