Recently I noticed a trend in live performances as superstar artists, like Dua Lipa and Benson Boone, are covering songs by other musicians during their tours. Not only does this send fans into a frenzy, but it also opens the door to powerful publicity moments. Let’s dive in and explore this trend.
On her current tour, Dua Lipa has been picking a song from an artist tied to the city she’s performing in. These songs act as an homage that electrifies the crowd and gets local and national press buzzing like this Rolling Stone review from her Chicago show.
- Surprise Factor: Fans come for the hits, but a one-night-only cover feels like a gift they didn’t expect. Sometimes they even get a bonus concert like when Chaka Khan performed with Dua Lipa.
- Local Connection: When artists tailor covers to the city, they tap into hometown pride, giving fans a deeper emotional experience.
- Shareable Moments: In an era where every concertgoer has a phone in hand, these covers are built for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube clips.
Similarly, breakout star Benson Boone stunned fans when he delivered a heartfelt cover of Adele’s “When We Were Young” in her original key. Fan videos instantly created a viral moment that ricocheted across social media and silenced skeptics by proving his vocal prowess.
- Fresh Headlines: A well-chosen cover almost guarantees next-day press mentions
- Cultural Credibility: Covering a beloved song shows an artist’s range, influences, and willingness to honor their peers.
- Social Buzz: Viral clips generate global visibility far beyond the fans in the room.
For publicists and artists alike, this trend is a dream scenario. Each cover is a new story angle that media outlets can’t resist. It creates content for:
- Press releases announcing tour highlights.
- Pitch angles for local media tying the cover to the city’s cultural heritage.
- Social campaigns amplifying fan-shot footage to keep the momentum alive.
If you’re an artist, brand, or thought leader, the takeaway is clear: unique, newsworthy moments fuel media attention. Whether it’s a cover song, a surprise guest, or a city-specific shoutout, these acts create ripples that extend far beyond the venue.
Ready to be remembered? At Breaking Creatives Agency, we specialize in turning moments like these into media coverage. Let’s craft the stories that get fans talking and journalists writing. Contact us today to start your next PR campaign.