Concerts Reviews
Radical Optimism, French Edition: Dua Lipa in Paris – Live Review
Paris, France @ Paris La Défense Arena on May 23, 2025
Dua Lipa turned Paris into a giant dancefloor last Friday, kicking off two back-to-back sold-out nights at La Défense Arena. With 90,000 fans packing the venue across both shows, the energy was massive and so was the setlist.
I had a Fosse OR ticket for night one, which meant access to the golden pit. Knowing how chaotic this venue can get, I showed up early (as in five hours early) to grab a good spot. The line was actually a good time. I met some great people and swapped stories about past shows. But once the doors opened, things got intense. Folks pushed, elbowed, and ignored any sense of personal space. It made me miss the (relatively) polite pit culture back in Canada. Still, once Dua hit the stage, the crowd mayhem faded fast.
She launched the show with “Training Season,” and the tone was set. Dua’s stage presence is smooth but commanding. There are no a lot of theatrics, just sharp visuals, solid vocals, and great choreography. “End of an Era” and “Break My Heart” came next, making it clear she wasn’t easing into things. This was a full-on sprint through her discography.
One of the most fun moments came before “These Walls,” when Dua made her way down to the barricade to chat with fans and take selfies. She even played rock paper scissors with someone in the front row. After that, she walked down to the end of the thrust and carried on.
The Radical Optimism tracks hit just as hard live as the hits she’s best known for. “Whatcha Doing,” “These Walls,” “Maria,” and “Illusion” all landed with big reactions. But the surprise of the night (and my personal highlight) was her cover of “Lolita” by Alizée. It’s part of her ongoing tour tradition to cover one song from the country she’s in, and in Paris, she absolutely nailed it. The crowd freaked, phones went up, and fans sang every word.
Later, she brought the house down with high-energy staples like “Physical,” “Electricity,” and “Hallucinate.” But instead of closing the main set with a big club banger, she brought it in closer with “Be the One.” Once again, she returned to the barricade and sang it with fans, making the moment special.
Then came the encore, and she didn’t hold back. “New Rules” kicked it off, and the crowd instantly snapped back into full voice mode. “Dance the Night” kept the party going, while “Don’t Start Now” had the whole arena jumping like it was 2020 all over again (her now-famous dance move nowhere to be seen sadly – it was a nice little iykyk moment on her Future Nostalgia tour). She wrapped the night with “Houdini.” It was the perfect cap to a set that hit every high, and then some.
Dua’s Paris crowd was wild, but they showed up for the right reasons. She’s got a grip on what a pop show should be in 2025. Smart pacing, big hooks, and just enough surprise to keep you talking about it days later. Just Dua Lipa owning the stage and reminding everyone why she’s one of the best doing it right now.
I’ll be catching her again in Seattle this October, where she wraps her North American leg. Hopefully the pit will be a little less pushy, but if it’s not, I’ll still be there. Worth it.
More info on the Radical Optimism tour here.
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Em Beihold Delights Sold-Out Vancouver Crowd at The Pearl
The Pearl, Vancouver | June 11, 2026
Known for her quirky, upbeat sound and jaunty piano, Em Beihold brought her unique brand of pop music to a sold out, all-age show at Vancouver’s Pearl Theatre. Downtown Vancouver, a host city already alive for day one of the World Cup, was filled with street performers, tourists, and families out for a day in the sun, making it the perfect stage for Em to shine. Out of the crowds and heat, fans quickly filled the floor for the opener and didn’t move until Em finished her set. Did it help that there was no drinking at the event? Probably! But her fans are diehard and loyal, and they were not going to give up their spot for any reason.
One of the best moments of the show came early on; known for her breakout 2021 viral hit “Numb Little Bug,” Em started the song to cheers from her fans only to stop after the first few lines to laugh into the mic. “Did you think I was going to play that for my third song?!” Incredible. Not only did it help her set the tone for the night, but it gave the crowd something to look forward to and was the perfect encore.
Must Hear Songs by Em Beihold (In Our Humble Opinion):
“Numb Little Bug” (Egg in the Basket, 2022)
“Lottery” (Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, 2026, 2026)
“Hot Goblin” (Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, 2026)
After taking a year off for self-care and support her mental health, Em Beihold returned with a number of fantastic singles. Tracks like “Hot Goblin” (check out the video, you won’t be disappointed), “Brutus,” and “Scared of the Dark” set some incredible expectations that we’re glad to say her 2026 album “Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter” met. Poppy, cheerful, but with meaning and purpose for those who take the time to reflect, this first studio album is going to be the record we look back on and say “why is anyone surprised?” when her stardom explodes.
Gaining a reputation for fan engagement and her friendly, down-to-earth personality, Em Beihold’s dynamic voice, sense of whimsy, and stage presence is going to go a long way towards building a lasting career. We can absolutely see her branching out and experimenting in the future – her vocal range and skill on the keyboard is real – but we can only imagine the directions she’ll go. We’re just excited to be along for the ride!
Em Beihold Setlist:
Scared of the Dark
Brutus
Shiny New Things
Van Gogh
Strong Medicine
Exorcism
Unicorn
Soup!
Us
Goo
Groundhog Day
Until I Found You
Won’t Let Go
Lottery
Hot Goblin
Numb Little Bug (encore)
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery. Thanks for attending the show with us, and for checking out our review!
EM BEIHOLD
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Pitbull Celebrates Music, Unity, and 25 Years of Hits in Mountain View
Pitbull brought his I’m Back World Tour to the Bay Area on Sunday night, delivering a massive, high-energy celebration for a sold-out crowd at Shoreline Amphitheatre. Closing out the first leg of his tour, the 90-minute performance served as both a victory lap through 25 years of hits and a reminder of why Armando Christian Pérez remains a fixture in pop and dance music.
The crowd fully embraced the party atmosphere before the music even began. The stands were packed with fans dressed in Pitbull‘s signature uniform of white button-down shirts, black ties, and sunglasses. Bald caps, Lil Jon lookalikes, and creative outfits inspired by the night’s sponsors only added to the festive energy.
Pitbull wasted no time setting the tone, launching straight into crowd favorites “Don’t Stop the Party” and “Hey Baby.” Backed by a live band and a polished troupe of dancers, he transformed the open-air amphitheater into a massive nightclub. The energy surged even higher when “Hotel Room Service” exploded into a heavy electronic breakdown. Throughout the night, Pitbull seamlessly blended genres, weaving James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” into his set while bringing Caribbean influences to tracks like “Echa Pa’lla.”
What makes a Pitbull concert unique is his ability to balance the roles of party host and motivational speaker. Between high-octane performances of hits like “Culo” and “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” which featured visuals honoring the legendary Celia Cruz, he paused to connect with the audience. He thanked fans for spending their hard-earned money on live music and spoke passionately about unity, reminding the crowd that music proves “there’s one race and one race only: the human race.”
One of the evening’s biggest highlights came when Lil Jon joined Pitbull on stage. Taking a moment to reflect on their long history, Pitbull thanked Lil Jon for believing in him and giving him his first major opportunity 25 years ago. Together, they tore through “JUMPIN” and “Damn I Love Miami” before Pitbull transitioned into “Timber,” complete with country-inspired line dancing choreography.
By the time he raised a celebratory toast with Voli 305 vodka and launched into a final stretch featuring “Time of Our Lives,” “Fireball,” and “Give Me Everything,” the energy had never once dipped.
Lil Jon‘s 45-minute opening set was a nostalgic trip through the 2000s. Part DJ, part hype man, the Atlanta rapper kept the bass heavy as he mixed snippets of era-defining tracks like “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Party Up” alongside his own classics, including “Snap Yo Fingers” and “Shots.” The crowd’s reaction to “Get Low” was so overwhelming that he played it twice.
Amid the high-energy crunk anthems, Lil Jon also delivered one of the night’s most emotional moments. Following a video montage honoring his late son, Nathan Smith (DJ Young Slade), who passed away earlier this year, he fought back tears while thanking the Bay Area for its decades of support, describing the performance as a form of therapy.
Ultimately, the night delivered exactly what was promised: nostalgia, nonstop energy, and a reminder that nobody throws a party quite like Mr. Worldwide.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Wed Aug 19 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Fri Aug 21 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sat Aug 22 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Tue Aug 25 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Wed Aug 26 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater
Fri Aug 28 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre
Sat Aug 29 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Mon Aug 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
Wed Sep 2 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Thu Sep 3 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat Sep 5 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
Wed Sep 9 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Thu Sep 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
Sat Sep 12 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Sun Sep 13 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Tue Sep 15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Wed Sep 16 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Fri Sep 18 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Sat Sep 19 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Tue Sep 22 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Fri Sep 25 – Kansas City, MO – MORTON Amphitheater
Sat Sep 26 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
More information here.
PITBULL
LIL JON
All Photo Credit: Starr Lee