On at Chicago’s United Center, British pop star Dua Lipa opened the U.S. leg of her Radical Optimism World Tour with a sold‑out show and surprised the audience by bringing music legend Chaka Khan onstage for a duet of Khan’s 1983 hit “Ain’t Nobody.” The concert featured a 22‑song set and striking stage looks.
Key Takeaways
- Dua Lipa launched the U.S. portion of the Radical Optimism World Tour on Sept. 5, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago.
- The sold‑out opening night included a 22‑song setlist highlighting material from Radical Optimism.
- Midway through the show, Chaka Khan joined Lipa to perform “Ain’t Nobody,” originally released in 1983.
- Lipa has featured guest artists on other dates this year, including Neil Finn and Jamiroquai.
- Radical Optimism, released in 2024, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200; its lead single “Houdini” spent 17 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
- The U.S. leg continues with a second Chicago date on Sept. 6 before stops in major U.S. cities including Boston, Atlanta and New York.
Verified Facts
Dua Lipa, 30, returned to North America after a brief August break that followed a two‑month run across Europe. The United Center appearance was the first U.S. stop on the current leg; she performed a 22‑song program that mixed recent singles and earlier hits.
During the Chicago show Lipa wore a sparkly black coat with feathered sleeves and invited Chaka Khan onstage. The pair performed a rendition of “Ain’t Nobody,” the song Khan first recorded with Rufus in 1983. Fan footage from the arena circulated on social platforms following the moment.
The Radical Optimism tour began in November 2024 and has visited venues across Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Earlier this year Lipa brought out Crowded House’s Neil Finn in New Zealand and later shared a stage with Jamiroquai in London, continuing a pattern of surprise guest appearances.
Radical Optimism, released in 2024, is Lipa’s third studio album and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2. Lead single “Houdini” logged 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, contributing to the album’s commercial profile.
Context & Impact
Pairing a contemporary pop star with an artist of Chaka Khan’s stature underscores a cross‑generational appeal that can broaden concert reach and media attention. Guest appearances often boost ticket demand and social‑media engagement for remaining dates on a tour.
The duet also highlights Lipa’s tendency to blend her setlists with nods to classic funk and R&B, reinforcing the musical themes of Radical Optimism and connecting her pop production to earlier influences.
Tour routing through major U.S. markets—from Boston and New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco—positions the run for significant box‑office returns and continued media coverage over the coming weeks.
Setlist & Tour Notes
- The Sept. 5 show featured 22 songs, mixing cuts from Radical Optimism with earlier hits.
- Dua Lipa resumed North American dates after two Toronto shows on Sept. 1–2 and will continue the U.S. leg following a second Chicago performance on Sept. 6.
Unconfirmed
- No official announcement has confirmed whether Chaka Khan will appear at additional U.S. dates.
- Setlist variations and future surprise guests for the remaining tour stops remain unconfirmed.
Bottom Line
The surprise duet in Chicago reinforced Dua Lipa’s ongoing strategy of mixing contemporary pop with classic influences and high‑profile collaborations. As the Radical Optimism tour moves through major U.S. cities, similar guest moments and media attention are likely to follow.