During the New Zealand leg of her Radical Optimism Tour, Dua Lipa delivered a luxurious tribute to Lorde’s “Royals” at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The performance is part of Lipa’s ongoing tradition to honor local artists at each stop of the tour. In Australia, she covered classics like AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” and Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” In Auckland, she also performed “Don’t Dream It’s Over” alongside Neil Finn of Crowded House.
The cover captures the moody elegance of Lorde’s original while adding Lipa’s own smoky, sultry flair. The stripped-back arrangement allowed Lipa’s voice to shine, lending a slightly deeper, more soulful tone to the song’s minimalist beat. Her cool, controlled delivery gave the track a darker, almost hypnotic vibe, echoing the song’s themes of detachment and quiet rebellion. By leaning into the song’s understated power rather than over-embellishing it, Lipa created a version that felt both respectful and refreshingly new, making it a standout moment at home in the city where “Royals” was born. A pared-down cover also enables the singer and her ensemble to easily switch up the cover song every night to surprise and delight the audience.
Back in 2018, Lipa highlighted another single by Lorde, “Liability,” as one she wishes she had written. In an interview with Billboard, Lipa said of Lorde, “I think she’s brilliant and such a great songwriter and that song, it hits home.” Her choice to cover “Royals” pays homage to Auckland, where Lorde penned the track as a teenager. Lipa’s thoughtful list of covers is an excellent way for her to connect with a global audience. As the tour progresses through Europe, North America, and Latin America, fans eagerly anticipate which local favorites she will spotlight next.
— @dualipabrasil (@dlbrfiles) April 2, 2025
