Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Dua Lipa Delivers Rocking Cover of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” in Melbourne

Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Dua Lipa has sparked a wave of admiration from fans and critics alike by delivering a powerful rendition of AC/DC's “Highway to Hell” during her concert at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. This performance marked the opening night of her 2025 ‘Radical Optimism' tour, a series of shows dedicated to her third studio album, which has already seen significant success worldwide. Lipa’s decision to kick off her tour by paying homage to local legends AC/DC resonated with attendees, blending her pop sensibilities with a rock classic's iconic sound.

By choosing to cover “Highway to Hell,” a classic rock anthem revered both locally and globally, she not only paid tribute to the band but also showcased her versatility as an artist. The cover was a departure from her typical dance-pop style, maintaining the original’s gritty rock edge while adding her vocal flair. The set took place at Melbourne's famous venue, where Lipa stood surrounded by her band, belting out the song's lyrics to a crowd ready to embrace this unexpected twist in her musical journey.

The performance was a glimpse into Lipa’s creative exploration, as the ‘Radical Optimism' album reflects influences from various genres, including rock, which bore fruition in this evocative live rendition. Andrew Watt, who has also worked with legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, is among the producers lifting Lipa's sound to new heights on this album. Her fascination with the concept of ‘Radical Optimism'—embracing a positive outlook amid chaos—echoes throughout her music, manifesting in her choice to blend pop with iconic rock tracks like “Highway to Hell.”

Following her stops in Australia, Lipa's tour is set to proceed through New Zealand, Spain, and France, eventually reaching North American audiences later in the year. This ambitious international tour is a testament to her popularity and enduring appeal across various cultures and musical tastes. Her previous album, Future Nostalgia, which amassed critical acclaim and commercial success, laid the groundwork for her current tour and sound evolution. The tour's Melbourne leg not only signified the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Lipa but also returned AC/DC's classic sound home, much to the delight of local fans.

Check Out Dua Lipa's Cover of AC/DC's “Highway to Hell” Here:

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Dave Grohl makes special guest appearance with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic performance at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Indio, CA. Coachella 2025 Weekend Two, Indio, California, USA - 19 Apr 2025

Foo Fighters Cover “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” by Minor Threat

The Foo Fighters have recently released a cover of “I Don’t Wanna Hear It,” a quintessential track by the seminal…

British singer / songwriter, Liam Gallagher, performs a sold out show at the Sheffield Arena on the first night of his 'Definitely Maybe' 2024 UK tour. ..William John Paul Gallagher is an English singer and songwriter who achieved fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis from 1991 to 2009. He later fronted the rock band Beady Eye from 2009 to 2014, before starting a successful solo career in 2017. Liam Gallagher performs a sold out show at the Sheffield Arena 2024 - 01 Jun 2024

Aldi Renamed Manchester Store “Aldeh” in Honor of Oasis Tour Kickoff

The excitement surrounding Oasis’s reunion tour has spread beyond the music world, resonating through various aspects of pop culture, as…

Biff Byford of Saxon performs during The "Hell, Fire & Chaos" Tour at The Parker, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA - 23 Apr 2024 Saxon in concert during The Hell, Fire and Chaos Tour at The Parker, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA - 23 Apr 2024

Biff Byford of Saxon Scheduled for Emergency Surgery, Cancels 10 Shows

British heavy metal band Saxon has recently announced the unfortunate cancellation of ten of their summer shows and festival appearances…

Black Sabbath Performing in 1978 Usa Unknown Black Sabbath Performing in 1978. - 01 Jan 1978

Early Collection of Black Sabbath Demos Releasing Next Month

The release of “Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes” is set to present fans with a glimpse of Black Sabbath’s early…

LEFT PHOTO: Glastonbury Festival, Day 5, UK - 29 Jun 2025 Olivia Rodrigo performs on Pyramid Stage RIGHT PHOTO: Riot Fest Music Festival in Chicago, Illinois, USA - 17 Sep 2023 The Cure - Robert Smith

Olivia Rodrigo Brings Out The Cure’s Robert Smith On Stage

Olivia Rodrigo’s performance at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival was nothing less than a spectacular sensibility of sound and emotions, marked…

DEERHOOF live in Rome, Monk Club, on 15 february 2024 'DEERHOOF' Performs Live In Rome, Frascati, Italy - 15 Feb 2024

Deerhoof is Removing Their Music Catalog From Spotify

In a bold and conscientious move, indie-rock band Deerhoof has announced their decision to remove their entire catalog from Spotify.…

Three Days Grace - Adam Gontier, Matt Walst performing on The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour with Disturbed at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI Disturbed 'The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour', Detroit, Michigan, USA - 10 Mar 2025

Three Days Grace Surpasses One Billion Streams For ‘I Hate Everything About You’

Three Days Grace, a renowned name in the rock music scene, has achieved a monumental milestone with their classic hit…

Marilyn Manson 'The Walking Dead' TV show Season 10 premiere, Arrivals, TCL Chinese 6 Theatre, Los Angeles, USA - 23 Sep 2019

Online Protests Cause Marilyn Manson to Cancel Tour Kickoff Show

Marilyn Manson’s UK tour opener in Brighton, scheduled for October 29, 2025, has been canceled due to concerted protests from…

Paul Simon in concert in London Various Ten years after splitting from his singing partner Art Garfunkel, American singing star Paul Simon is still an international bestseller. A multi-millionaire who has sold 40 million records in the past 20 years, he has been in London recently to give a series of solo concerts, backed by a band and chorus, For the past four years he has been involved in a film, ''One Trick Pony'' which he wrote and starred in and has now been released in the States. Paul now lives with actress Carrie Fisher, of ''Star Wars'' fame, whilst his eight year old son Marper lives nearby in New York with Pauls ex-wife Peggy.

Paul Simon Cancels Concerts Due to Back Pain & Has Surgery

Legendary musician Paul Simon has canceled two highly anticipated concerts at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music scheduled for June 28 and…