Lola Young made a buoyant and brilliant return to the stage at O2 Apollo Manchester, proving why she is such a Gen Z icon. The 25-year-old south London singer-songwriter, known for her hit 'Messy', had taken time away from live performance due to social media scrutiny surrounding her addiction struggles and a stage collapse in New York last year.
Relieved and Relatable Performance
Strolling on stage in a baggy black hoodie, Young seemed relieved to be back. The young crowd, a mix of bleached mullets and denim jorts, sang every word of her single 'Sad Sob Story!'. She shared a 'Manchester mantra' from her phone, a pep talk about remembering your own power, turning potential awkwardness into lovable charm.
Highlights from the Setlist
- 'D£aler' – An ode to her favourite late-night speed dial, turning a transactional relationship into a singalong love ballad.
- 'One Thing' – The grooviest track in the setlist, elevated by bass lines and gospel harmonies from her five-strong band.
- 'Conceited' – A gritty R&B-fused-rock bop, during which a Pride flag thrown from the audience was wrapped around her microphone stand.
Young breezed through the 15-song set with faultless vocals, including 'Post Sex Clarity' with its line 'every other man didn't mean a goddamn to me'. The performance left the audience feeling like they had made a new friend, a sister in arms united by poor decisions and questionable texts to exes.
Standing Ovation for 'Messy'
A several-minutes-long standing ovation for 'Messy' confirmed that Young has absolutely got her mojo back. The show took place at O2 Apollo Manchester on 11 June, and Young continues touring the UK until 19 June.
