Dua Lipa Joins Tame Impala for Surprise Set at London’s O2 Arena

Dua Lipa joined Tame Impala on stage during a performance at the O2 Arena in London on May 7, 2026. The unannounced appearance featured a two-song set performed alongside Kevin Parker, the primary creative force behind Tame Impala.

Lipa entered the stage mid-set without a formal introduction during the performance of After Thought, a collaboration released in 2025. She joined the performance by launching directly into the song’s chorus. Following the conclusion of the track, Parker formally introduced Lipa to the audience, referring to her as a good friend.

The pair then performed Houdini, a funk-influenced track released in 2024. Parker served as the producer for the single, which acted as the lead track for Lipa’s third studio album, Radical Optimism.

A Collaborative Production History

The professional relationship between Lipa and Parker began in mid-2022. The collaboration extended beyond single tracks, as Parker worked as a producer on several songs across the Radical Optimism project.

Lipa has previously discussed the impact of Parker’s influence on her creative process. During a stop on her 2025 Radical Optimism tour at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, she detailed the significance of their partnership.

I made most of Radical Optimism with this person and he’s one of my favourite artists. He’s inspired me a lot. I manifested and dreamt about working with him one day and then I managed to make one of my favourite albums with him.

Dua Lipa

Lipa also noted that she felt a high level of apprehension when the collaboration first began in 2022, stating that she was so nervous because of her admiration for Parker’s work as an artist.

Pattern of Mutual Stage Appearances

The May 7 appearance is part of a broader trend of mutual guest performances between the two artists. In 2024, the roles were reversed when Lipa invited Parker to join her during her headlining set at the Glastonbury Festival. During that performance, they played both Houdini and Tame Impala’s track The Less I Know the Better.

The partnership continued through Lipa’s 2025 world tour. In addition to the Sydney performance, Parker joined Lipa on stage during her tour date in Melbourne, Australia, further cementing the public association between the pop singer and the psychedelic rock producer.

Commercial and Critical Reception

The creative synergy between Lipa and Parker yielded significant commercial results. Houdini reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its 2024 release.

The parent album, Radical Optimism, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The project’s critical reception was highlighted by a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

While Lipa has focused on the promotion of Radical Optimism, Tame Impala is currently engaged in a world tour. This tour is in support of the 2023 release of The Slow Rush (Collector’s Edition).