Rosalía dances ‘Reliquia’ en pointe and ‘Magnolias’ in the rain on SNL
The stage was set for spectacle last night as singer Rosalía took over Saturday Night Live, delivering a mesmerizing, two-part performance from her acclaimed 2025 album ‘Lux‘. This appearance wasn’t just a musical slot; it was a dazzling theatrical event that showcased the sheer ambition of her new work.
As the musical guest on the third episode of the show, Rosalía brought the dramatic scope of her music to the television screen. For her opening number, ‘Reliquia’, she embodied the ethereal nature of the song, donning a black ballet tutu and remaining nearly motionless as she sang. Standing en pointe for the entire four-minute track, the performance was pure, breathtaking ballet.
The performance escalated as the piece continued. Towards the climax of ‘Reliquia’, a group of dancers joined her on stage, culminating in a burst of strobe lighting that perfectly captured the energy of the performance.
Later in the episode, Rosalía returned for the closing track, ‘Magnolias’. This rendition offered a stunning visual shift, with her dressed in white. As she sang, the set transformed into an atmosphere of rain, which began midway through the song, leaving her completely drenched by the end—a masterclass in theatrical storytelling.
Beyond the main performance, Rosalía brought a touch of humor to the episode, making a brief appearance in a comedy sketch where she appeared in a thought bubble, playfully encouraging host Shane Gillis to ditch his worries and head to a Jelly Roll concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
This was not her first time stepping into the limelight of SNL as a musical guest; she had previously graced the stage in March 2022 with performances of ‘Chicken Teriyaki’ and ‘La Fama’.
These breathtaking performances followed the conclusion of Rosalía’s global ‘Lux’ tour, which included a five-star reviewed show at London’s O2 Arena in May.
The album ‘Lux‘ itself has earned significant critical praise, with NME awarding it five stars upon release, calling it an “astonishing record” that encourages curiosity and builds a new world for listeners to explore.
‘Lux’ represented a dramatic musical evolution for Rosalía, marking a distinct shift from her sprawling, orchestral 2022 album, ‘Motomami’. The new work is rich with diverse influences, notably featuring a collaboration with Daft Punk on ‘Reliquia’, where Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo co-wrote the track.
The album also features a deep connection to other musical giants, including a collaboration with Björk on ‘Berghain’, a pairing that brought them together during a performance at the BRIT Awards in Manchester.
The artistic vision behind ‘Lux‘ speaks to a powerful call for change. Rosalía herself has spoken about creating the album because she “found the world lacking in tenderness,” urging the music industry to embrace perspectives beyond those of “white middle class Europeans.” Her advocacy for diverse voices was further recognized when she was named International Songwriter Of The Year at the Ivor Novello Awards.
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