Lola Young made a surprise appearance at the Reading and Leeds festival on Sunday, a year after her on-stage collapse. The 25-year-old chart-topping singer, who graduated from the BRIT School in 2018, performed as a special guest at the Reading leg of the event.
Return to the stage
Young's hit single Messy topped the charts in 2024, and she released her album I'm Only F**king Myself in September last year. While promoting the record, she collapsed mid-performance at the All Things Go Festival in New York City.
She returned to live performing in January this year at the 2026 Grammy Awards concerts organised by Spotify, and played her first full headline concert since the incident in March at The London Palladium.
Fan reactions
Fans at the Reading site on Richfield Avenue were thrilled to see her take to the stage. One fan told the Mirror: "I was really worried about her when she collapsed, so its amazing to see her looking so well."
On stage, Young told the audience: "I really can't keep a secret and since you haven't seen me for a while, let's spend some time together."
Previous ordeal and support
Last summer, footage of her collapse circulated online, prompting many to reach out. She later wrote on social media: "Hi, for anyone who saw my set at All Things Go today, I am doing OK now. Thank you for all of your support, Lola."
Earlier this year, she told NME: "My fans inspire me in the same way I hope to inspire them. I feel like I’ve never tried to be especially honest… it just comes very naturally to me."
Secret performers at Reading and Leeds
While Reading fans were delighted by her 3:15pm set on The Grid, some Leeds attendees complained on Instagram about secret performers appearing at only one half of the event. One fan wrote: "Leeds tears I love" while another said: "So Leeds gets f**k all? Yeah sick."
Jamie T of the XX and Royal Blood were also revealed as secret performers at Reading, while Kasabian and The Blossoms played the same role in Leeds.
