Back when Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving global tour was announced last summer, a month before the album’s release itself, you’d be forgiven for thinking some of the venue choices were punchy. Prior to this run, Dean’s biggest show in the capital had been at London’s 3,500 capacity Eventim Apollo, and debut album Messy topped out at No. 4. Now it’s six sold-out nights at the O2 Arena to a combined 120,000 fans. Now? It feels like she could have done six more, judging by the clamor for tickets at this U.K. run before the tour goes global.
The Art of Loving looks set to be one of the U.K.’s defining albums this century. Since its release it has scarcely left the top five of the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart and has earned eight weeks at the summit. The LP has collected the best album prize at the BRITs — and Dean herself won best new artist at the Grammys, a rare feat for a British artist. Expect it to pick up an album of the year nod at next year’s ceremony and be a favorite to win.
Beyond the commercial heft, Dean’s The Art of Loving was built for broad appeal. The LP deftly glides between pop smashes (“Man I Need”), soul-infused groovers (“Baby Steps”) and intimate R&B (“A Couple Minutes”). The album’s visual aesthetics — and Dean herself — are leading its own inimitable style; the amount of polka dot skirts and floating dresses, Dean’s signature style, worn by fans give viral math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine a run for their money.
Now she’s bringing all of those sounds and visual references to life with a powerhouse show, one that’ll be one of 2026’s most sought-after tickets. These were the best moments from Dean’s Saturday night (May 2) showcase at London’s O2 Arena.
