Rosalía brought her ambitious album Lux to London’s O2 Arena, delivering a ribcage-rattling performance that blended operatic vocals, ballet, and leftfield electronica. The Catalan megastar sold out two nights at the venue, a feat she called “crazy” given the album’s challenging content—a song cycle about female saints sung in 13 languages.
The show opened with Rosalía emerging from a giant wooden box dressed as a ballerina, singing en pointe. Her voice proved emotionally powerful, from the fragility of Divinize to the soaring climax of Mio Cristo Piange Diamanti. The disruptive electronic elements of the arrangements were played at astonishing volume, creating a visceral experience felt in the ribcage.
Despite the highbrow nature of Lux, the concert was witty and entertaining. Rosalía joked with the crowd, drank wine on stage, and attempted a British accent. Guest Lola Young appeared in a mock-confessional, and audience members were encouraged to pose like paintings. The show balanced visual stunning moments—like the blacked-out performance of La Perla—with playful asides.
The audience, noticeably older and more Spanish than typical arena crowds, showed their devotion with mantillas referencing the album’s religious theme. Rosalía’s ability to fill the O2 twice with such a daring work underscores her unique place in pop, proving that risk-taking can still triumph in a risk-averse era.
