Elton John Makes Surprise Comeback at Dua Lipa’s Concert

Sir Elton John made a triumphant return to the stage, delighting fans with a surprise appearance alongside Dua Lipa at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. This special moment came more than a year after the legendary musician concluded his farewell tour.

The pair took to the stage on Thursday night to perform their hit duet “Cold Heart,” a remix that creatively blends four of Elton’s classic songs, including “Sacrifice” and “Rocket Man.” As Elton emerged, seated and sporting a striking burgundy suit, the audience erupted into cheers, marking a memorable highlight towards the concert’s climax.

At 77, Elton showcased his impressive vocal prowess despite recently recovering from a serious eye infection that had affected his vision. His performance resonated with the crowd as he swayed in rhythm with Dua, even encouraging the audience to sing along during the final chorus. “Well, how about that?” Dua exclaimed with a beaming smile as their collaboration concluded.

This duet marked only the second time the artists performed their chart-topping single together live, the first being during Elton’s last US concert at Dodger Stadium nearly two years ago. Thursday’s performance was part of a one-off concert where Dua Lipa showcased her hits, backed by a formidable 53-piece orchestra and a 14-member choir.

The event, which was filmed for television, primarily spotlighted Dua’s latest album, Radical Optimism. The setlist included fan favorites such as “Houdini,” “Training Season,” and “Illusion.” Notably, Dua performed her single “Dance the Night” from the Barbie movie live for the first time, captivating the audience with choreography inspired by Greta Gerwig’s film.

Dressed in a stunning, form-fitting Jean Paul Gaultier gown reminiscent of Jessica Rabbit, Dua addressed the crowd, remarking, “What a dream it is to be in this room. There have been so many notable figures on this stage, like Winston Churchill and Einstein. But I’m almost 99% sure they didn’t have a dress as nice as this.”

The evening transformed the Royal Albert Hall’s floor into a vibrant catwalk as Dua elegantly maneuvered through the orchestra while performing hits like “Levitating,” “Pretty Please,” and “Be The One,” a song she credits as life-changing. The Heritage Orchestra, under the direction of Ben Foster, added fresh arrangements, infusing “Pretty Please” with lively brass accents and giving “Maria” a playful Mariachi twist.

One of the standout moments of the evening was a dramatic, string-laden cover of Cleo Sol’s “Sunshine,” which fueled speculation that Dua might record the next James Bond theme. Without the constraints of elaborate choreography, the concert highlighted her powerful live vocals, which remained clear even against the sometimes overpowering orchestra.

After a thrilling hour-long performance, Dua returned for the encore in a stunning black Chanel ball gown. As confetti cascaded from the ceiling, she kicked off the encore with a Studio 54-inspired rendition of “Don’t Start Now.”

This concert marked Dua’s only UK show in 2024, aside from her highly anticipated headline appearance at Glastonbury. Following this extraordinary event, she is set to embark on her Radical Optimism world tour, which will include a series of stadium performances in the UK next summer.

Setlist Highlights:

• End of an Era
• Houdini
• Levitating
• Maria
• Sunshine (Cleo Sol cover)
• Training Season
• Pretty Please
• Cold Heart (with Elton John)
• Don’t Start Now

With this unforgettable evening, fans were treated to a remarkable blend of nostalgia and modern hits, showcasing the timeless talent of both Elton John and Dua Lipa.