When you buy a ticket to see Dua Lipa, you expect glitter, disco grooves, and club-ready pop bangers. What you don’t expect is to suddenly find yourself screaming along to one of the most iconic Aussie rock anthems of all time.
But that’s exactly what happened on March 17, 2025, when Dua kicked off her Radical Optimism Tour at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and, halfway through the night, unleashed a surprise cover of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”. 🤯🎸
Fans lost their absolute minds. The arena turned from a sleek pop spectacle into a rowdy pub gig with 15,000 people chanting “I’m on the highway to hell!” like they’d just downed six pints of Tooheys. Only in Australia, mun. 🏴🔥
🏟️ Melbourne Madness – The Scene Before the Storm
Melbourne was buzzing before Dua even hit the stage. Her Aussie fans had been waiting ages for this tour—her first headline run Down Under since 2018. Tickets sold out in minutes, the merch queues wrapped around the block, and the vibe inside Rod Laver was pure electricity.
By the time the lights dropped and Dua strode out in full pop-queen mode, the crowd was deafening. The first half of the show was everything fans came for: “Houdini”, “Levitating”, “Don’t Start Now”, the whole glossy disco-pop arsenal.
Then came the switch. Dua grabbed the mic, smirked, and told the Melbourne faithful:
“I thought it’d be fun to do a local artist’s song at every stop of the tour. And for Melbourne… well, I had to go big.”
The band fired up that dirty, unmistakable riff—and chaos erupted.
🎶 Why Highway to Hell is Sacred Down Under
Released in 1979 as the title track to AC/DC’s sixth album, Highway to Hell isn’t just a song—it’s a national anthem. The riff, crafted by the late Malcolm Young and Angus Young, is one of the most recognisable in rock history.
The song marked the band’s international breakthrough and tragically became the last album with singer Bon Scott before his death in 1980. To Aussies, it’s more than a track—it’s cultural DNA. Hearing it blasted in Rod Laver Arena wasn’t just a cheeky nod; it was a spiritual moment.
And Dua? She didn’t bottle it. She leaned in hard.
👩🎤 Dua’s Rock Metamorphosis
Dua’s voice—normally silky smooth, built for disco ballads—took on a raw, gritty edge. She growled through the verses, belted the chorus with fire, and strutted across the stage like she’d been raised on Bon Scott and beer instead of Studio 54.
The band went full throttle too. Guitars cranked, drums pounded, and the whole thing sounded closer to an arena rock gig than a pop tour opener.
And the crowd? Instant bedlam. Fans who came dressed in sequins and cowboy hats turned into headbanging maniacs. Mosh pits? Maybe not. But fists were pumping, and more than a few dads dragged along by their kids suddenly perked up like: “Finally! This is my jam!” 🤘
🤯 Fan Reactions – Shock, Awe & Meltdown
Within seconds, social media was ablaze:
- TikTok clips of Dua snarling “I’m on the highway to hell” racked up millions of views overnight.
- X (Twitter) was chaos, with AC/DC stans grudgingly admitting: “Didn’t think I’d ever say this, but Dua nailed it.”
- Spanish outlet El País even crowned it the best AC/DC cover by a pop diva, ranking her above Shakira and Céline Dion. 🏆
One fan summed it up best:
“Came for the disco, stayed for the devil horns. Dua f**ing Lipa on AC/DC? My brain can’t handle it.”*
Even diehard rock fans had to admit—she smashed it.
🎸 Pop Stars Who’ve Rocked Out Before
Dua isn’t the first pop star to dip her heels into the world of rock:
- Lady Gaga once belted out Metallica’s “Moth Into Flame” with them at the Grammys.
- Miley Cyrus has basically built a side hustle covering rock gods, from Metallica to Pink Floyd.
- Harry Styles has flirted with classic rock vibes in his own solo work.
But Dua’s cover of Highway to Hell feels different. It wasn’t ironic. It wasn’t a campy gimmick. It was a legit tribute to the biggest band ever to come out of Australia.
🌍 A Local Covers Tour Tradition
Dua revealed that each stop of her Aussie tour will feature a “local cover”—a neat way to connect with fans and surprise crowds. Melbourne got AC/DC, but what about Sydney? Brisbane? Perth?
- Sydney guess: INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart”
- Brisbane guess: Powderfinger’s “My Happiness”
- Perth guess: Tame Impala’s “The Less I Know The Better”
It’s a clever move, and Melbourne got the most iconic of the lot.
🤘 Could Dua Go Full Rock?
The big question now: was this a one-off gag, or is Dua testing the waters?
Her voice worked on that riff. Her stage presence carried the song. And the reaction was nuclear. Don’t be shocked if we see her lean into more rock in the future.
Imagine Dua doing:
- A rock-pop collab with Royal Blood or Foo Fighters.
- A surprise festival slot with AC/DC themselves (hey, Brian Johnson, give her a call, mun!).
- A rock covers EP—Dua does Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Joan Jett, and AC/DC. Tell me that wouldn’t break Spotify.
The boundaries between genres are fuzzier than ever. Dua just proved she can strut across that line in killer heels and own it.
🏴 The Riff Report Verdict
Dua Lipa covering Highway to Hell wasn’t just a gimmick. It was a statement.
She showed respect to Aussie rock heritage, gave fans a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and reminded everyone that music isn’t about labels—it’s about energy, passion, and the power of a big f***ing riff.
As we’d say in Wales: Proper job, mun!
⚡ Final Thoughts – The Pop Star Who Shouted “Oi, Oi!” to Rock
Dua Lipa walked into Melbourne a pop superstar. She walked out with the devil horns raised high. And if this is the energy she’s bringing to the rest of the tour, we’re strapping in for one hell of a ride.
So here’s the takeaway:
- AC/DC fans? Don’t panic—your anthem’s in safe hands.
- Pop fans? Congratulations—you just discovered one of the greatest riffs ever written.
- Dua fans? Well, you now get to brag you saw her inner rock goddess unleashed live.
Dua Lipa on the Highway to Hell? That’s one road we’d happily follow. 🚦🔥
