Grammy-nominated pop star Dua Lipa kicked off the 2024 Grammy Awards with a stunning performance. Although nominated for her Barbie soundtrack song 'Dance The Night,' Lipa took the stage to showcase her newest singles, 'Training Season' and 'Houdini.' This dance-heavy medley captivated the audience from the start.
Lipa began her performance inside a jungle-gym-like metal structure, surrounded by black-clad dancers engaging in intense workouts. As she sang her latest single, 'Training Season,' set to be released on February 15th, the structure tilted behind her, revealing another metal platform with more dancers. This seamless transition showcased Lipa's smooth moves and artistic vision.
The inspiration behind 'Training Season' stemmed from a bad date. Lipa shared in a statement that after her final disastrous encounter, she declared, 'TRAINING SEASON IS OVER.' The next morning, she collaborated with Caroline Ailin and Tobias Jesso Jr. in the studio, and the song quickly took shape. It became a reflection on the aftermath of a bad experience, with Lipa and her friends finding solace and laughter in their shared debrief.
During her performance, Lipa interacted with the audience, performing snippets of her Grammy-nominated song 'Dance the Night.' As she took the main stage, Lipa stood on a center structure surrounded by vertical mirrors to deliver the heartfelt performance of her song 'Houdini.' Halfway through the track, she descended from the platform, dancing and engaging with her fellow dancers. The vocals faded towards the end, allowing the dance moves to take center stage.
Host Trevor Noah showered Lipa with praise, exclaiming from the audience, 'That is why she's one of the best performers of a generation,' and humorously remarking that he would never look at scaffolding in the same way again. It was a testament to Lipa's incredible talent and stage presence.
Although Lipa was nominated for two awards at the Grammys, she focused on delivering an unforgettable performance. 'Dance the Night' was nominated for both Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media. However, it was Billie Eilish's Barbie contribution, 'What Was I Made For?,' that earned the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Lipa's career has been marked by success, with three previous Grammy wins, including Best New Artist in 2019. Her album Future Nostalgia, which received six nominations, won Best Pop Vocal Album in 2021.
In an interview, Lipa shared her experience working with Mark Ronson on the disco-infused track for the Barbie film. The song, featured in a dance party scene with Margot Robbie's Barbie, Ryan Gosling's Ken, and other characters, captures the moment when Barbie contemplates the deeper aspects of life. Lipa spoke to writer-director Greta Gerwig about the film and the scene where 'Dance the Night' plays. She emphasized the song's exploration of Barbie's existential crisis, her pursuit of perfection, and the emotional experiences humans encounter.
Lipa's love for 'dance-crying' shines through in 'Dance the Night.' The lyrics depict being on the dance floor with diamonds under her eyes, encapsulating the idea of expressing emotions through movement.
The Barbie soundtrack garnered an impressive 11 nominations, making it a significant presence at the Grammy Awards.
Dua Lipa's electrifying performance set the tone for a memorable Grammy night. As she continues to evolve artistically and excite audiences with her music, Lipa solidifies her place as a remarkable performer in this generation.
