Dua Lipa Shatters Glass Ceiling at Austin City Limits Music Festival

In 2024, as female pop stars dominate the airwaves and Dua Lipa headlines the Austin City Limits Music Festival, it's astonishing to recall that less than a decade ago, men in the industry doubted the ability of female artists to headline festivals due to concerns about ticket sales.

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A roaring cheer echoed through Zilker Park as Dua Lipa took the Skyline Stage around 8:25 p.m., dressed in black and accompanied by a dozen dancers. The crowd erupted as she opened with "Training Season." Her setlist was a non-stop parade of hits, including "One Kiss," "Illusion," "Break My Heart," and "Levitating," complete with fireworks and elaborate choreography reminiscent of an awards show or Vegas residency.

Despite the impressive production, sound issues plagued the performance. Vocals were often too low or muddy, and the volume failed to reach the entire crowd. Some fans even left early due to inaudibility, as noted on social media.

Nevertheless, Dua Lipa showed remarkable humility, introducing her band mid-set and expressing genuine gratitude for her success. Her ability to convey vulnerability shone through in performances of "Be the One," "Pretty Please," and "Don’t Start Now."

She also used her platform positively, with hits like "New Rules" offering sage advice to young women. Fittingly, she closed her set with "Houdini," a final magical touch to an unforgettable night.

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How to watch ACL Fest 2024 on Hulu: See Sunday lineup, live streaming times

"There’s not a song that’s not a (expletive) banger," remarked one audience member.

After the fest, we saw social media posts saying people left because they couldn't hear.