LIVE REVIEW: ROSALÍA AT THE O2 ARENA, LONDON 05/05/26
Rosalía returned to London for two sold-out dates at The O2 Arena on the 5th and 6th of May for her LUX Tour, marking her first performance in the capital since the MOTOMAMI World Tour over three years ago. While she made a massive impression back then by redefining the "visual language" of arena concerts, these two tours represent two distinct eras for the 33-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, shifting from industrial reggaeton to a full symphonic orchestra. If the gap between these two worlds seems drastic, it certainly did not disappoint the fans; Rosalía has returned stronger, with a vision bigger than life itself.
At 8:40 PM, the arena plunged into Rosalía’s world for the remainder of the night. Accompanied by the Heritage Orchestra, the gig felt like an orchestrated theatrical play divided into four distinct acts: The Descent, The Club, The Sacred, and The Celebration. This structure, choreographed in collaboration with the acclaimed French collective (LA)HORDE, showcased an impressive versatility while maintaining a clear storyline centered on the theme of Light.
The focus was set on her latest album, LUX (released in November 2025), which has marked a significant turning point in the music industry. The Spanish singer delivered a pure work of art, blending an expansive range of genres, singing in no fewer than 13 languages, and paying tribute to her flamenco roots. While the album represents a radical shift from MOTOMAMI, the blend of both eras on stage felt entirely cohesive.
The curtain opened to reveal a massive crimson-orange sun inscribed with subtle hagiographic text, representing the martyrdom of saints. The first act followed the LUX tracklist mostly in order: ‘Sexo, Violencia y Llantas’, ‘Reliquia’, ‘Porcelana’, ‘Divinize’, and ‘Mio Cristo Piange Diamanti’. This act served as an ethereal lyrical demonstration, featuring the artist in a light pink tutu, performing a ballet piece en pointe alongside her ensemble of dancers. This technical display by (LA)HORDE blends classical discipline with contemporary "post-internet" movement.
The Biblical references were particularly striking, with the stage decor showcasing a massive lit cross toward the end, complemented by outfits made of angel wings and white feathers. This imagery resonated deeply with the lyrics, which were translated into English on screens at thetop of the stage for non-Spanish speakers, though the roar of the crowd suggested most already knew them by heart. Between the heavy orchestral movements, the ‘Interlude’ provided a standout moment with ‘Dios Es Un Stalker,’ a track that perfectly balanced her new spiritual themes with her signature pop wit.
The second act offered a sharp pivot. Rosalía returned to the stage in all-black, a version of a "fallen angel", to perform her high-energy tracks. ‘Berghain’ was undoubtedly the highlight, transforming the O2 into an intense rave and getting the entire venue on its feet. In a surprise mid-show appearance, British singer Lola Young joined La Rosalía on stage. Rather than a musical duet, the two shared a humorous confession about heartbreak in a religious setting, speaking through a carved confessional screen. This served as an intro to ‘La Perla,’ with Rosalía jokingly explaining that in Spanish, calling someone "una perla" can imply they are a real "piece of work".
The singer closed the set with ‘Focu ’Ranni’, one of the exceptional additions from the Complete Works edition. She then proceeded to the much-awaited encore, ‘Magnolias.’ As the final song of the night, it brought the show to a grand finale, resetting the stage against a blood-orange sun that symbolized the artist’s own symbolic funeral and rebirth.
On stage, Rosalía spoke of a childhood dream: performing at the Royal Albert Hall. Given her vocal prowess and lyrical depth, it seems only a matter of time before she conquers that stage too. If one thing is certain, it is that Rosalía can perform - and outperform - anything.