Rosalía live in London: pure sensory euphoria, combining art and music

If you were disappointed by Rosalía’s absence at the Met Gala 2026, the acclaimed international songwriter made up for it by bringing “Costume Art” to her first night at The O2 in London.

Marking her first world tour in support of her fourth studio album LUX, Rosalía is a multilingual force to be reckoned with, singing in 13 different languages, from her native Spanish and Catalan to Ukrainian, Arabic, German, and French – proving music is a universal dialect as the multicultural crowd roars to a setlist of her greatest hits.

Spanning her 2022 album MOTOMAMI and newer works, the concert is divided into four distinct acts, none greater than the other. From a ballet-inspired opening – Rosalía elevated on the tips of her toes – to a techno-driven section that felt like stepping into a rave, followed by a Latin American party-like interlude, before climaxing in a dramatic finale.

‘Sexo, Violencia y Llantas’ opens Rosalía’s London show

First up is her lead LUX single, ‘Sexo, Violencia y Llantas’, with Rosalía sporting a ballet-inspired look complete with a humongous tutu that Angelina Ballerina would be in awe of. Her chilling vocals fill The O2 Arena, sending a shiver down my body as she moves from a theatrical opening into punchier, distorted moments. Her vocal range and control are clear from the very first bar – landing powerful belts, then easing off just enough to keep the crowd hanging on as she softens out into a seamless transition.

Something that, as a classical music enthusiast myself, has me teary-eyed is Rosalía’s blend of classical influences. Performing on stage towering over a masterful orchestra, driven by conductor Yudania Gómez Heredia (who I admittedly cannot take my eyes off), she utilises their talent, blending it with the show’s pop and electronic elements.

‘Berghain’ turns The O2 into a rave-turned-religious experience

Rosalía transports the arena from the Royal Opera House to the BRIT Awards. Following her performance at the prestigious 2026 UK music event, it is the moment the crowd has been waiting for. In a rave-turned-religious experience, she performs the viral ‘Berghain’, complete with a heart-racing dance number. If the singer isn’t sweating, I certainly am.

The performance includes costume changes, dance numbers, smoke effects, and symbolic staging in homage to her faith; religion holds a place at The O2 tonight. A moment that leaves me grinning from ear to ear is Rosalía’s rendition of Frankie Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’. Positioned behind a golden painting frame, the singer looks as though she should be hung up in a museum for the musical gods. With a witty smile on her face, I fall in love with the singer even more – it feels as though she’s having as good a time as I am.

Lola Young joins Rosalía on stage for a messy confession

Rosalía tells the crowd she is about to welcome someone “so special” to join her on stage; my mind goes to Olivia Dean, who performed at The O2 Arena just a week before. In walks Lola Young to a sea of screaming fans. The pair’s gravitational warmth extends into the audience as they embrace. In a true ‘Messy’ moment, Young confesses to Rosalía about a former male romance gone very wrong, revealing why she is back to dating women. The exchange was a culturally humorous back-and-forth, during which Young translated “the deed” as “the sex” for the LUX singer. Innocently self-deprecating, Rosalía’s attempts at British English further connect her with the crowd, featuring playful learning moments and improvised exchanges.

Lyrics appear live on screen with language cues, drawing the audience into the story behind the music – something I don’t think I would have fully appreciated about Rosalía if I hadn’t seen her live. The LUX tour really captures her kindhearted and free nature: in the way she jokes with the crowd, interacts with fans, and even brings some on stage, adding flashes of humour that soften the show’s more theatrical segments.

“I chose this, and I’ll choose it again” – Rosalía at her London show

“I sold out The O2 in London… twice! How crazy is that?!” Rosalía tells the The O2, a surreal moment as she reminisces about her childhood dream of performing at the Royal Albert Hall. “I chose this, and I’ll choose it again and again and again,” she says, igniting a vibrating cheer that echoes through the London venue. For that, Rosalía, we thank you. The LUX tour is not just music, it is art.

Rosalía London setlist:

‘Sexo, violencia y llantas’
‘Reliquia’
‘Porcelana’
‘Divinize’ (contains elements of “Thank You” by Dido)
‘Mio Cristo piange diamanti’
‘Berghain’
‘SAOKO’
‘LA FAMA’
‘LA COMBI VERSACE’
‘De madrugá’
‘El redentor’
‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ (Frankie Valli cover)
‘La perla’
‘Sauvignon blanc’
‘La yugular’
‘Dios es un stalker’
‘La rumba del perdón’
‘CUUUUuuuuuute’
‘BIZCOCHITO’
‘DESPECHÁ’
‘Focu ’ranni’