Elton John returns to stage at Dua Lipa show

In a delightful surprise for fans, Sir Elton John made a special appearance at Dua Lipa's concert in London, marking his return to the stage after more than a year since his farewell tour concluded. This memorable moment took place at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, where the two artists performed their hit duet 'Cold Heart. ' This song is a unique blend of four of Elton's classic hits, including 'Sacrifice' and 'Rocket Man. ' As the audience realized that Elton was joining Dua on stage, they erupted in cheers and applause. Seated on a chair, Elton looked dapper in a burgundy suit and showcased his impressive vocal abilities, swaying along with Dua and even leading the crowd in the final chorus. Dua Lipa, beaming with joy, remarked, 'Well, how about that? ' after their performance. This was only the second time the duo had performed their chart-topping single live together, the first being at Elton's last concert in the United States nearly two years ago. Dua Lipa has achieved remarkable success, with all three of her albums selling over a million copies globally. During the concert, she dazzled the audience in a striking red dress designed by John Paul Gaultier. The event was a one-off concert that featured a 53-piece orchestra and a 14-member choir, and it was being filmed for television. The setlist primarily focused on Dua's latest album, 'Radical Optimism,' and included popular tracks such as 'Houdini,' 'Training Season,' and 'Illusion. ' She also performed her Barbie movie single 'Dance the Night' live for the first time, accompanied by a group of dancers showcasing the choreography from Greta Gerwig's film. Dua expressed her excitement, saying, 'What a dream it is to be in this room,' while wearing a stunning Jean Paul Gaultier dress. She acknowledged the legendary figures who have graced the stage before her, like Winston Churchill and Einstein, humorously adding that she was 'almost 99% sure they didn't have a dress as nice as this. ' The Royal Albert Hall's floor was transformed into a captivating catwalk, allowing Dua to weave through the orchestra as she performed hits like 'Levitating,' 'Pretty Please,' and her early single 'Be The One,' which she described as 'a song that's changed my life and allowed me to be here on stage tonight. ' The Heritage Orchestra, under the direction of Ben Foster, added fresh and exciting elements to her songs, with lively brass sections enhancing 'Pretty Please' and a playful Mariachi twist on 'Maria. ' A dramatic cover of Cleo Sol's 'Sunshine' also fueled speculation that Dua might record the next James Bond theme. The concert showcased Dua's live vocals, which were powerful and clear, even as the orchestra sometimes threatened to overshadow her. After performing for over an hour, she changed into a glamorous black Chanel ball gown for the encore. As confetti rained down from the ceiling, she launched into a vibrant, Studio 54-inspired rendition of 'Don't Start Now. ' This concert was Dua Lipa's only UK show for 2024, aside from her headline performance at Glastonbury. Following this event, she will head to Asia to kick off her 'Radical Optimism' world tour, which will return to the UK for a series of stadium dates next summer.