Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour Lights Up NYC’s Madison Square Garden: 5 Best Moments

When it comes to pop stars who debuted in the latter half of the 2010s and truly solidified their positions at the top of the 2020s, Dua Lipa arguably has the most bulletproof catalog of them all — and she flaunted her endless stream of Top 40 smashes throughout her Radical Optimism Tour.

On Thursday night (Sept. 18), Lipa powered through her second of four nights at The Garden, treating NYC to a solid pop showcase that displayed her vocal chops, megahits (“Don’t Start Now” was a particularly thrilling penultimate song), and idiosyncratic ear for covers. In tribute to “true New York icons,” Lipa delivered a roaring cover of Blondie‘s “One Way or Another,” infusing her heavily dance-forward set with a splash of rock and roll. Launched in November 2024 in support of its namesake album, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the Radical Optimism Tour was heavy on the bombast (limitless confetti was the name of the game) and slick late ’80s-inspired choreography to make up for what it lacked in aesthetic coherence and continuity.

Meticulous blocking covered every part of the stage — including an elevated platform reminiscent of the shape of an infinity sign, a runway leading to a pseudo-B-stage that lit up in flames during “Love Again,” and a floating platform that carried her to the arena’s 100-level — and Lipa leaned on her modeling background to command the stage with her sultry presence and laser focus. From heartwarmingly full-circle renditions of breakthrough hits like 2015’s “Be the One” to newer standouts like 2024’s “Maria,” Lipa’s second of four nights at The Garden reminded the crowd just how prolific a pop hitmaker she’s become over the past decade — even if the Thursday night crew was a bit tamer than usual. When she kept the focus off the ballads and churned out bangers like “One Kiss,” “Levitating,” “Houdini,” “Hallucinate” and “Physical,” Lipa had The Garden in the palm of her hands.

Here are the five best moments of night two of Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour at Madison Square Garden.