In a burst of unstoppable energy and pure perfection, Dua Lipa kicks off her tour in Madrid.

If we take the parameters that define a perfect pop star as a reference, Dua Lipa fits them all effortlessly. She has the voice, the image, the stage magnetism, and a repertoire built on hits that seemingly stand the test of time. However, sometimes that perfection, that almost mathematical alignment, generates a feeling of distance , as if some of her success were more calculated than experienced. It's not that her music doesn't resonate, or that her stage presence doesn't impress; it's simply that, at times, it seems as if the formula works so well that it becomes hard to believe. And yet, it is precisely this ability to project such a polished image that makes her a phenomenon .

That's why, on her first night in Madrid, Dua Lipa didn't come here to convince, but rather to demonstrate that, although perfection sometimes seems unrealistic, it's still her best calling card. With the sold-out sign hanging for two consecutive nights, May 11 and 12, at the Movistar Arena, her Radical Optimism Tour promised, despite the doubts that her latest album may generate, to demonstrate that she remains one of the great figures of current pop.

This almost mathematical alignment creates a sense of distance, as if some of its success were more calculated than lived.

Even so, time seems to be working against her. After the unstoppable force of Future Nostalgia , a second album impeccable in every sense—from the audacity of its sounds to the perfection of its staging—it seemed like the world was at her feet. But her next step, Radical Optimism , failed to convince her audience. Produced by names like Andrew Watt, Tove Lo, and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker , the album seeks a pop lightness that, beyond the singles, ends up feeling superficial and forgettable . In its attempt to project radical optimism, the proposal blurs into an unbelievable and excessively light tone, as if the artist had lost her personal brand in favor of an empty message. White-label songs. The result is an album so manufactured that it could easily be discarded from the collective memory. A production that, more than an evolution, leaves the feeling that Dua Lipa has lost the pulse of the pop in which she shone with Future Nostalgia.

Fortunately, the British singer has a large fan base in our country . From eight in the morning, the first groups of people could be seen camping in line at the Madrid stadium to see the start of her European tour. Arriving at a more reasonable hour, around eight at night, the optimistic believers who had managed to get a ticket enthusiastically headed to their seats, or to find the last good angle of the dance floor, while Alessi Rose , the opening act, livened up the wait. Not too many sequins, not too much sparkle, not too many metallic pants. The vast majority of Dua Lipa fans' looks adhered to the low profile of those who prefer to enjoy the concert rather than show off an impossible style. The training season was over; it was time to perform.

Just after 9 p.m., Dua Lipa took the stage. No matter where you looked, during the nearly five-minute wave-like video introduction to the concert, virtually the entire audience kept their phones raised so as not to miss the exact moment of her appearance. With a chorus of dancers on a wave-shaped staircase, also featuring the band and backing vocalists, she sang "Training Season" to the audience's nonstop applause.

The concert was structured in five sections, an exercise in pop spectacle calculated to the millimeter. Fireworks, confetti, feathers, sparkles on every outfit, explosions of color, dance breaks, and choreography designed to draw attention to every corner of the stadium. Everything that could be brought to the stage, she brought it. One thing that was clear from the start was that the audience was more attentive than devoted. The great moments of devotion were always provided by songs from her second album or big singles from her early days. That's why, when she sang "Break My Heart " or her collaboration with Calvin Harris , "One Kiss," the stadium gave its all. But despite their desire to throw a big dance party, much of the audience on the dance floor seemed unlikely to keep up with her.

The vast majority of Dua Lipa fans' looks were low-key, like those who prefer to enjoy the concert.

Each new act entailed a complete wardrobe change for the entire crew. From a corset bodysuit to a tight red lace jumpsuit with sparkles. If Dua Lipa did one thing right in 2020, it was delivering the best handclaps to a pop song this century. Levitating brought with it a deafening collective applause, which resulted in one of the biggest ovations of the night. Playing the people's princess card , she descended to the height of the barricades and rewarded the blind trust displayed by the addicts in the front rows. Hugs, selfies, speeches of mutual devotion , receiving a doll made in her image and likeness, and signing every banner put in front of her.

With the band on the catwalk, she performed "These Walls" and the long-awaited surprise song. With an introduction in Spanish, a testament to her daily use of Duolingo, she sang "Heroe" by Enrique Iglesias. Although her performance was fine, her audience, far removed from typical Iglesias fans, only joined her for fragments of the song's chorus. Undoubtedly, a poor choice for the first night. And continuing with her more Latin moment, she closed the segment with "Maria ."

Without a doubt, the highlight of the concert was the unbeatable combination of Physical , Electricity , and Hallucinate . Starting out as an aerobics class , it managed to move all of her fans. The audience's commitment was absolute. Dua Lipa shone on stage like someone who effortlessly does something exceptional. There's something so magnetic about her that makes it impossible to dislike her. Everything around her is easy, light, fresh, even if it's calculated down to the millimeter. After bathing the audience in a shower of white confetti that dyed the entire stadium, she closed her most electrifying moment with Ilusion .

Towards the end of the concert, the audience seemed to have only intermittent bursts of energy. With the exception of small groups of the track, "Falling Forever" and "Happy for You ," they seemed unable to get the audience going. But Dua Lipa still had an ace up her sleeve. Situated on a platform with fire , the audience and artist sang "Love Again" in unison. To everyone's surprise, after one of the most memorable moments of the night, the platform rose and left the British singer suspended in the air to finish the song, pardon the crowd, on a high note. As if she were a virgin , the stadium cheered her with the classic "y guapa, y guapa, y reina, y reina" just before she sang her ballad "Anything For Love ."

What could have been a one-hit wonder has not only stood the test of time, but has served as a solid foundation to catapult a career

And to a thunderous ovation , the encore demonstrated why she's at the top of the pop pyramid. Dua Lipa built her popularity on viral hits , and on May 11th in Madrid, she left nothing out. From "New Rules" to "Houdini ," she won over the entire Madrid Arena in just under fifteen minutes. What could have been a one-hit wonder has not only stood the test of time but has served as a solid foundation to launch a career that currently seems unstoppable .