The Montjuïc municipal swimming pools, in Barcelona, are the setting for the new music video for the song Illusion by the British-Kosovan singer Dua Lipa. This Friday saw the premiere for a video which is set entirely at the mountainside sports complex which became internationally famous for its role in the city's 1992 Olympic Games. And indeed, the singer is filmed dancing around, and also on top of, the water, accompanied by synchronized swimmers and divers, in a sumptuous choreography in which panoramic views of the Catalan capital - a carefully-framed Sagrada Família included - are also among the protagonists. Moreover, a multi-level metal tower on which some of the action is set is a clear reference to the Catalan sport of castells - human castles - with Lipa herself being cast as the enxaneta, the one at the top. A further surprise that has emerged is that among the swimmers accompanying the singer are many prominent Spanish and Catalan water sports stars. Specifically, members of the Spanish synchronized swimming team appearing are Txell Mas, Blanca Toledano, Berta Ferreras, Paula Ramírez, Marina Garcia, Cristina Arámbula, Alisa Ozhogina, Iris Tió, Sara Saldaña and Estel Ferreras. In addition, water polo players from several Catalan clubs also appear: including Lucas Delgado, Ignacio Lucero, David Jiménez Ruiz de la Torre, Àlex Royo Casadó, Dorian Acuña Pradas.
Some of the swimmers showed their excitement for having participated in the recording of Dua Lipa's new song on social media.
The UK star's visit to Barcelona
Dua Lipa has caused excitement on the streets of Barcelona this week. A few days ago we saw the singer walking through the streets of the city and eating a dulce de leche and pistachio ice cream at a well-known parlour, two days before she gave a private concert at the Palau Sant Jordi on Thursday, April 11th.
COUNTDOWN TO ILLUSION VIDEO WITH ME!!!!! https://t.co/yHn85gKcHG pic.twitter.com/KEqoxIGswc
— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) April 11, 2024
As well her visit to the city to film the video, this week's trip saw her perform for the McDonald's Worldwide Convention held in the city, which brought representatives of over 14,000 franchises from around the world to Barcelona. The artist gave a private concert for the employees of the fast food chain together with US alternative rock band The Killers - who also announced a surprise concert in the Catalan capital.