7 Best Moments From Lana Del Rey’s Biggest-Ever U.K. Show

Since her debut tour in 2011, Lana Del Rey’s UK appearances have been sporadic. A mere handful of headline shows, a string of 2020 gigs cancelled, and two consecutive summers of having her set cut off early by major festivals have conjured a feeling that, when it comes to Del Rey and British stages, the stars are never quite able to align.

So when she announced her first U.K. and Ireland stadium shows last year, it’s no wonder that 300,000 tickets promptly sold out. It was assumed, though, that the performances would follow the release of her highly anticipated 10th album Lasso, which has since been renamed The Right Person Will Stay and currently remains a bewilderment.

Yet rather than frustrating, for the legion of fans descending on Cardiff this week, these twists and turns are part of Del Rey’s charm – integral to the air of mystery that surrounds her like a cloud of her vape smoke. And, for an artist whose enigmatic presence on the charts has shaped modern pop in her image, she’s earned the right to be elusive.

It’s why Cardiff – proud host to her first ever U.K. stadium show – has stepped up to the occasion. Ahead of her performance, the entire city is bathed in a Honeymoon glow. Loose feathers torn from boas dance in the wind, girls in white dresses and veils adjust each other’s flower crowns and the bridge of ‘Ride’ leaks from the open doors of every other bar. It’s a testament to Del Rey’s enduring power and relevance as a songwriter, taking to the stage mere days after her 40th birthday and looking out onto a crowd mostly comprised of soon-to-be school leavers.

These are the best moments from Del Rey’s show at Cardiff Principality Stadium.