When Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving global tour was announced last summer, just a month before the album’s release, some of the venue choices seemed bold. Before this tour, Dean’s largest performance in the capital was at London’s Eventim Apollo, which has a capacity of 3,500, and her debut album Messy peaked at No. 4. Now, she is set for six sold-out nights at the O2 Arena, entertaining a total of 120,000 fans. Currently, it appears she could have scheduled six more shows, given the demand for tickets during this U.K. leg before the tour expands globally.
The Art of Loving is poised to become one of the defining albums of the U.K. this century. Since its release, it has consistently remained in the top five of the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart and has spent eight weeks at number one. The album won the best album award at the BRITs, while Dean herself received the best new artist accolade at the Grammys, a rare achievement for a British artist. It is expected to receive an album of the year nomination at next year’s ceremony and is a strong contender to win.
Aside from its commercial success, Dean’s The Art of Loving was crafted for widespread appeal. The album seamlessly transitions between pop hits (“Man I Need”), soulful grooves (“Baby Steps”), and intimate R&B tracks (“A Couple Minutes”). The visual aesthetics of the album — along with Dean herself — showcase a unique style; fans donning polka dot skirts and flowing dresses give viral math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine a run for their money.
Now she is bringing all these sounds and visual inspirations to life with an electrifying show that will be among the most sought-after tickets in 2026. Here are the standout moments from Dean’s Saturday night (May 2) performance at London’s O2 Arena.
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Sumptuous Staging
Dean’s album campaign will be analyzed for years; every moment, image, outfit, and performance has been closely tied to the overarching narrative and moodboard of The Art of Loving. The staging on Saturday was an extension of this concept, utilizing a large curtain as a backdrop instead of flashy visuals. This choice allowed the projected visuals to shimmer and added depth and intimacy to the performance.
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One for Granny
“Carmen,” a standout track from Dean’s debut album, was written for her grandmother, who immigrated from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation and brought diverse cultures and wisdom to Britain from the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia after World War II. For Dean, it honors “immigrants brave enough to pursue different paths in life,” and this lively tribute on the setlist pays homage to those who came before us.
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A Moment of Intimacy
The success of The Art of Loving can be attributed to its intimate feel; Dean wrote and recorded the album at home with her close collaborators, which is evident in its warm tones and meticulous attention to detail. The segment of the set performed on the B-Stage, located in the center of the seating area, added intimacy to such a large venue. The selected songs — “Loud,” “A Couple Minutes,” and “Hardest Part” — allowed Dean to showcase her energy (she sprinted back to the main stage after this segment) while reminding fans that closeness and connection are why they fell in love with her music in the first place.
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Dean Meets Mayfield
Dean has become skilled at performing covers, having successfully interpreted Dijon’s “The Dress” and Clairo’s “Sexy to Someone.” Her new tour setlist delves into soul music with Curtis Mayfield’s classic “Move On Up” during the final segment. This bold choice suits an ambitious performer like her; she brings high energy reminiscent of Tina Turner while hitting Mayfield’s soaring notes.
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‘Rein Me In’ Rules
Upon starting her tour in Glasgow last week (April 22), there was one song fans were eagerly anticipating: “Rein Me In.” This collaboration with Sam Fender has dominated the U.K.’s Singles Chart for nine weeks in 2026 (currently holding the top position) but had only been performed live once before at Fender’s London Stadium concert last June. Fender made appearances at both Friday and Saturday night shows to perform this track live together, demonstrating that there is still vitality in male-female duets.
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