For Lola Young, this tour feels less like a victory lap than a hard-won return. The past year has transformed the South London singer from cult favourite to international star, with Messy becoming an unexpected global phenomenon and catapulting her onto some of the world's biggest stages. Yet the success came at a cost. As her profile soared, Young has spoken candidly about battling burnout and confronting addiction, which forced her to step back and reassess during this whirlwind. Tonight, then, is more than another date on a sold-out tour schedule. It marks the steady return of an artist emerging from a complicated and deeply personal chapter, determined to prove that the raw honesty that made Messy resonate so widely remains her greatest strength.

With Birmingham's O2 Academy completely sold out, opener Anabelle Dinda made an immediate impact with her soulful vocals, assured stage presence and effortless charisma. Her songs connected warmly with the audience, hinting at considerable potential and artistry. However, just as she seemed to be building real momentum, her set ended far too soon.

After a brief interval, the venue exploded with chants for Lola as it became clear her set was about to begin. As she meandered onto stage casually in her white shell suit, it was clear from the moment SAD SOB STORY :) started that the night was set to be one epic singalong. Hers is an audience that has waited for this moment, and they are wholeheartedly set on joining her for every moment of the set.

While it is clear that anthems like D£aler, Big Brown Eyes and Post Sex Clarity are even more potent when performed live by one of the industry's finest vocalists, the absolutely explosive Spiders demonstrates that not only is Lola an artist with material relevant now, but also she has those moments that really have the power to endure and grow with each year.

As the set grows to the driven chant Not Like That Anymore, Lola makes the most of her very responsive audience for a little audience participation. After a very brief break, she returns for the obvious pairing to form an unforgettable closing encore – her poignant latest single, From Down Here, and the song that catapulted her up the charts the world over, Messy.

Though many may have written her off, including herself, when the burnout set in, the evening shows that not only does she have the talent, but she also has the real connection and genuine warmth that it takes to rise to the top of the industry effortlessly once again.



Upcoming dates:

June 16 - O2 Academy, Glasgow