My Heartfelt Trip Down Memory Lane with Hilary Duff
Written by: Manisha Rekhi
The moment I walked into London’s O2 Arena on the 10th of September for Hilary Duff’s Lucky Me Tour, I was swept up in a wave of Y2K nostalgia. La Roux, fronted by Elly Jackson, set the tone for the evening, taking me back to 2009, when I first heard “In for the Kill” and “Bulletproof” from her self-titled album.
My highlights from La Roux’s set were the striking imagery for her latest single, “Lose Myself,” from the upcoming album Old Flames, and the eccentric energy she brought to the stage alongside her live band.
When Hilary opened with “Wake Up” and “So Yesterday,” I was transported back
to my childhood and to the first time I listened to Most Wanted. One of my favourite moments was the choreography during “With Love,” from her 2007 album Dignity. Watching Hilary recreate the dance that went viral earlier in her career with her fans on stage made the performance feel both familiar and special.
Each song had its own distinct visual identity. During “You, From The Honeymoon,” from her latest album, luck… or something, dancing silhouettes created a striking backdrop. “Anywhere but Here,” from her 2003 debut album Metamorphosis and later featured in A Cinderella Story, paired a soft blue palette with a retro aesthetic. By contrast, vivid neon colours and cosmic illustrations brought “So Yesterday” to life.
What stayed with me most was the way Hilary reflected on the various stages of her career, particularly the importance of Lizzie McGuire in her life. I also appreciated how warmly and genuinely she connected with her fans throughout the night.
During her “Wine O’clock” segment, Hilary paused with a drink and reflected on her earlier albums. The featured food or drink changed depending on where she was performing, giving each show a playful local touch. Halfway through the concert, Duff delivered a raw performance of “We Don’t Talk” while seated on a couch. Using the same set, she then shifted the mood and restored the energy with “Why Not.”
My favourite moments in the set came with “Come Clean,” featured in the opening credits of MTV’s reality series Laguna Beach; “Fly,” which appeared in both Raise Your Voice and Duff’s self-titled album; and the closing encore, “What Dreams Are Made Of,” from Disney’s The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Each song carried a different memory from my childhood, but hearing “What Dreams Are Made Of” live felt especially meaningful. As the familiar chorus filled the arena, I sang along with the crowd and realised just how deeply Hilary’s music has stayed with me. More than a heartfelt finale, it was a powerful reminder that the songs we grow up with never truly leave us.
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