Hilary Duff’s Small Rooms, Big Nerves tour launched in London with a shocking surprise. The 38-year-old singer performed ‘What Dreams Are Made Of’ live for the first time ever, closing her 17-song set at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on January 19. This marks her triumphant return to the stage after nearly two decades away.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Tour Name: Small Rooms, Big Nerves, featuring four intimate venues across UK and North America.
- Historic Moment: First live performance of the Lizzie McGuire anthem ever, recorded when Duff was just 14 years old.
- Album Details: New album Luck …or Something releases February 20, co-produced with husband Matthew Koma.
- Tour Schedule: London (Jan 19), Toronto (Jan 24), Brooklyn (Jan 27), Los Angeles (Jan 29).
A Decade Away, Now Back on Stage
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Hilary Duff stepped onto the stage for the first time in over a decade, marking her return to live performing since 2015. The intimate venue setting created an electrifying atmosphere for 1,400 fans at the iconic London venue. Her 17-song setlist balanced classic hits with new material, proving her musical range has only deepened over time. Songs like ‘Wake Up,’ ‘So Yesterday,’ and ‘Come Clean’ transported the audience back to their childhoods while new tracks energized the crowd.
The performance showcased incredible production value for such an intimate space. Duff’s vocals hit every note with precision, and her stage presence commanded the small room with undeniable confidence.
The Surprise That Made Headlines
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The real moment everyone came for happened during the encore, when Duff closed with ‘What Dreams Are Made Of,’ the iconic theme song from The Lizzie McGuire Movie. What makes this moment truly special is that she had NEVER performed this song live before. In a recent interview, Duff revealed she barely remembers recording the song, since she was only 14 years old at the time.
Fans erupted when the opening notes began. She said that when she sings it now, she feels ‘a lot of joy.’ The emotional reaction from the crowd proved why this moment mattered so much to her fanbase. After decades of separation between her music career and the Lizzie McGuire brand, Duff is finally reclaiming this iconic anthem as her own.
Setlist Breakdown + New Songs Revealed
Duff performed an eclectic mix spanning her entire career while introducing fans to brand new material. The 17-track setlist included surprise live debuts and fan-favorite moments that had the crowd singing along throughout the sold-out show.
| Song | Status |
| Wake Up | Classic Hit |
| Roommates | Recent Single |
| Weather for Tennis | New from Album |
| My Kind | Live Debut |
| What Dreams Are Made Of | First Time Ever |
Notable inclusions featured ‘Mature’ as the lead single from her upcoming album and ‘With Love,’ where Duff recreated the viral TikTok dance onstage with fans from the crowd. Three new songs made their live debuts: ‘Weather for Tennis,’ ‘Future Trippin’,’ and ‘We Don’t Talk.’ These tracks hint at the direction of Luck …or Something, which arrives February 20.
“When I sing it now, I feel a lot of joy. I just think there was such a separation back then of me and my music and Lizzie McGuire. I didn’t really get to perform that song live, because I didn’t own it.”
— Hilary Duff, in interview with Therapuss
The Return to Music After a Decade
Duff’s musical comeback represents more than just touring. She signed with Atlantic Records to release Luck …or Something, her first album in over 10 years. The 38-year-old artist co-produced the project with her husband Matthew Koma and Brian Phillips, ensuring creative control over her artistic vision. Two singles have already dropped: ‘Mature’ in November 2025 and ‘Roommates’ in January 2026.
Duff revealed the album title reflects her journey through fame. She said: ‘The album title is my way of answering that question. It’s luck, but there’s also a lot of weight in the …or something. Many of the things I’ve been through along the way are held there, and I feel like ultimately that’s what’s shaped me.’ An intimate docuseries chronicling this journey is also in development.
What’s Next for the Small Rooms, Big Nerves Tour?
After London’s triumphant show, Duff continues her limited run to just three more cities. Toronto’s HISTORY venue hosts her next performance on January 24, followed by Brooklyn Paramount on January 27, and The Wiltern in Los Angeles on January 29. Beyond the Small Rooms tour, Duff announced a Valentine’s residency at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
The tour name itself, Small Rooms, Big Nerves, suggests the intimacy of Duff’s artistic vulnerability. Every show sold out within hours of tickets going on sale. Fans are desperate to witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment: Hilary Duff performing live again.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.