Lola Young returned to the stage at the O2 Academy Brixton to a hero's welcome, proving that her fans have not forgotten her despite her recent struggles. The south London singer, who has become a Gen Z icon for her raw honesty, performed the first of two sold-out shows to a sweltering and vociferous crowd.
A Touching Return
Two songs into her set, Young addressed the audience, saying, "This is so overwhelming and beautiful… There was a point when I was suffering… and I thought ‘There’s no way people are going to buy tickets again. I’ve let them down.’" But her fears were unfounded as fans chanted her name and sang along to every word.
Young has faced significant challenges in her career, including time in rehab when her biggest hit took off and collapsing on stage in New York last year, which led to the cancellation of her 2025 tour. Despite these setbacks, she delivered a polished performance with a five-strong band and an understated stage set.
Highlights of the Show
Midway through, Young asked if she could "try something spontaneous" and played piano versions of Bad Game and CAN WE IGNORE IT? :(, showcasing the power and beauty of her voice. The set also included muscular renditions of Conceited and Big Brown Eyes, which she called her favorite song to perform live.
The crowd joyfully shouted back the refrain of Not Like That Anymore, turning its raw lyrics into a celebratory anthem. Young closed the show with her Grammy-winning breakthrough hit Messy, asking the audience to "sing every fucking word," which they gladly did.
As the night ended, Young expressed her gratitude, saying, "I love everyone in this room." The feeling was clearly mutual.
