Review: Rosalía's 'Lux' Tour Delivers a Rare, Religious-Like Spectacle

As Dagens Nyheter's critic Saga Cavallin, I witnessed Rosalía's "Lux" tour stop in Antwerp, and it's clear she is currently the world's preeminent live artist. This wasn't just a concert; it was a deeply immersive, almost religious experience, a far cry from the typical arena show. The audience, a mix of Spanish speakers and others who have embraced her experimental sound, sang along even to an aria in Italian, demonstrating the global reach and impact of her artistry.

“

When Rosalía performed in a sold-out arena in Antwerp, she seamlessly switched between themes and styles.

Rosalía's "Lux" album and tour represent a bold leap into the experimental, yet it has propelled her to unprecedented fame. Unlike previous tours where the audience was primarily Spanish-speaking, the Antwerp crowd's enthusiastic participation in songs like "Mio Cristo piange diamanti" highlights her growing international appeal. The stage production itself was a marvel, eschewing the conventional runway for a cross-shaped orchestra pit and a structure that divided the show into four distinct acts, mirroring the album's conceptual flow. This meticulous staging, combined with Rosalía's seamless transitions between vulnerability and power, creates a performance that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

“

I've actually got reason to say that she is the world's best currently living live artist.

What truly sets Rosalía apart, as Cavallin notes, is her ability to convey an unusual and powerful message about sex and femininity. From her opening as a ballerina emerging from a box to her dynamic shifts between tenderness and commanding presence, she embodies a complex, modern femininity. This performance challenges conventional pop music tropes, offering a message that is both deeply personal and universally understood. It's this unique blend of artistic innovation, cultural fusion, and profound self-expression that solidifies her status as a groundbreaking artist, offering a perspective on female artistry that is both rare and vital in today's music landscape.

“

The experience can really be summarized in one word: religious.