Live Report: Doja Cat takes effortless control of 3Arena

If you’ve had an internet connection in the past eight years, you’ve most likely heard of Doja Cat. With a plethora of viral hits under her belt, whether it be 2018 ‘Moo!’, her wildly successful Covid-era albums Hot Pink and Planet Her, or 2023 ‘Paint The Town Red’, the American rapper has proven that she is an absolute master at navigating virality, humour and sharp musicianship.

While some might scrunch their noses at TikTok-ready melodies, she is the absolute master of the format, having been one of the first to understand, use, and make it completely her own, without ever sacrificing her brilliant artistry. And her fans know it too – if a sea of phones seems to populate the crowd from the second the rapper steps onto the stage with ‘Lipstain’, it is just as quickly that they are put away, audience eager to appreciate the gig to its full potential.

On her newest album Vie, Doja Cat returns to her pop roots while leaning into Janet Jackson-esque 80s flavours – and tonight’s show follows the trend, underlined by deliciously catchy funk arrangements, with a trombone, a trumpet and everything you could dream of. In the glistening production, iconic older tracks like ‘Kiss Me More’ take on a whole new and terribly exciting life.

.@DojaCat performing ‘Happy’ for the first time ever tonight in Dublin, Ireland. #TourMaVie pic.twitter.com/gKRdLItCSa

— The Kittens Room (@TheKittensRoom) May 19, 2026

With her stage design, the musician brings out the big guns, featuring a couple-meters-tall platform, strobe lights, pyrotechnics, fireworks and smoke machines, for a show which turns out just as visually stunning as it is sonically impressive. Faithful to her brand, she also delivers gloriously fun fashion, in pink tartan tights and matching shoulder pads, while her stunning band, as well as her two backup dancers / singers, boast delightfully eye-catching black sequin suits.

As the show advances, Doja Cat continuously appears to be a magnificently gifted performer, charisma completely unrivalled. Jumping from new melodies to cult classics, it’s also clear that she is having the time of her life, with her absolute control of the room, delivering as much energy in her eye-catching choreo as in her theatrical facial expressions.

The setlist doesn’t come short of sing-along favorites, like the emotionally resonant ‘Agora Hills’, the powerfully melodic ‘Paint The Town Red’ or the riotous ‘Tia Tamera’. If you’re in for a boogie, you will also be served – ‘Boss Bitch’, ‘Woman’ and ‘Juicy’ are irresistibly danceable, bringing the whole seated section to their feet.

Doja Cat’s performance of “Ain’t Shit” tonight in Dublin, Ireland 🔥 #TourMaVie pic.twitter.com/1EzCZ9qJgQ

— The Kittens Room (@TheKittensRoom) May 19, 2026

She doesn’t come short of vocal prowesses either, capable of offering hard-hitting bars and delicately ethereal melodies one song after the other, jumping from the silky-smooth tones of ‘Steets’ to the unruly ‘Wet Vagina’ completely effortlessly.

On her tour, the rapper is accompanied by a formidable, state-of-the-art band, from funky winds, pulsating bass guitars and a drummer who drives the show’s heaviness with disconcerting ease. The brilliant electric guitarist also flavours the setlist with mind-blowingly powerful solos, shredding on tracks like ‘Need To Know’.

 

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Doja Cat has it all – the vocals, the charisma, the theatricality, and the absolute defiance that keep your eyes stuck to her for every minute. On ‘WYM Freestyle’, she stares down at the camera as if daring it to try and touch her, while the almost shouted lyrics of ‘Woman’ – “Devine feminine / I’m feminine!”, spat out by this powerful, unconventional and fearless woman, appear like a superb act of rebellion.

As the show closes on the iconic ‘Say So’ and the party atmosphere of ‘Jealous Type’, the venue slowly empties out with the unshakable feeling of having attended something truly and absolutely great.