South-London based singer-songwriter Lola Young made her long-awaited return to Glasgow’s O2 Academy last night as part of her tour, her first series of shows since being forced to leave music after a dramatic onstage collapse in September 2025, and also the first tour since releasing her newest studio album “I’m Only F**king Myself”, one of my favourite releases of the year. I think its safe to say this was going to be much different than any normal show. It was an opportunity to honour an artist who once sincerely felt she would never perform again. It was certainly going to be an emotional night.
The atmosphere felt different from a typical sold-out show. There was all the usual excitement of course, but also a deep sense of gratitude. After everything she experienced last year, nobody took her return for granted. Glasgow was just as happy to see her as she was to be back, it was super heartwarming to see.
When the lights dimmed and the band came on stage, the crowd roared. The excitement grew with every second. The crowd cheered as Lola stepped onstage to a full room, visibly touched by the response. In that moment, it was clear she felt just as overwhelmed as the audience. But first of all we had an excellent performance from rising US-based artist Annabelle Dinda, so lets get into that a wee bit, shall we?
Annabelle Dinda
Kicking off the night was rising indie-folk musician Annabelle Dinda, originally from Pennsylvania, but now based in New York. This is a name I have heard mentioned quite a lot on social media over the past few months, so i was super intrigued to see what her set would bring. Dinda’s soulful vocals and effortless stage presence immediately took over the room, and by the end of her set she had transformed plenty of curious onlookers into new fans.
Opening up for any show is a nerve-wracking experience in itself, but setting the stage for an artist on their first shows back after one of the most devastating times in their career is enough to make anybody feel anxious, but Annabelle walked right onstage, full of confidence. I’ll be honest i hadn;t heard any of her songs prior to this show, but I will certainly be keeping an eye on her music over the next few years, she was excellent!
Stage presence may have been somewhat reserved, but her band were super smiley and it made for such a welcoming set. I honestly think she was the perfect choice for this show. Joined by an all female band, aside from the drummer, I was super intrigued, and she pleasantly surprised me. She was brilliant!
My highlight from her set was her new song “whatever you wanna,” a catchy tune that had many in the audience singing along. Her set was cheerful, and it perfectly set the mood for Lola’s performance, leaving the crowd happy and ready for more.
Lola Young
Lola was ready to perform, and the venue was full of excited fans. It felt great to see her back on stage. You couldn’t help but smile as she stepped out, hand on heart, soaking in the moment while 2,500 loyal fans welcomed her.
Kicking off her set with “SAD SOB STORY :)” immediately threw the crowd into the deep end. The song’s infectious energy made for a perfect opener, but what struck me most was how visibly emotional Lola seemed during those first few minutes. Despite the huge cheers that greeted her arrival, she appeared somewhat shy and reserved at first, almost as if she was still processing the fact that she was back onstage after everything that had happened.
There was a slight nervousness in her body language as she paced across the stage, occasionally smiling at the crowd before looking down between verses, but it was completely understandable. This wasn’t just any other gig; it was her first tour back after a frightening health scare that forced her away from the thing she loves most. That vulnerability made the opening moments feel even more genuine.
But when it came to singing, she showed no hesitation at all. From the very first note, her voice was incredible: rich, soulful, and packed with emotion. It was hard to imagine she ever doubted she would perform again.
Next up was the most perfect triple threat, three of her biggest songs back to back. Starting off with “d£aler”, Lola very quickly loosened up, giving an early sign of the confidence that would grow throughout the night. The song’s darker tone fit her well, and you could sense the crowd getting more hyped with each lyric. The crowd sang along to every word, which seemed to help calm her early nerves.
When Lola got to “One Thing,” you could see her start to relax. The upbeat vibe of the song let more of her personality shine, and she connected with the crowd in a more natural way. She smiled more often, slipped in a few jokes during her banter, and the audience responded with warmth every time. It really felt like we were watching her get comfortable on stage again, right in front of us.
Next was my favorite song, “Conceited,” and this is when the Lola Young everyone loves truly appeared. The live performance hit even harder than the recorded version, which I didn’t think was possible. The swagger from the studio version came across perfectly on stage, with Lola taking command of the venue. Any early nerves were gone, replaced by the confidence and charisma that make her one of Britain’s most exciting young performers. What a performance!
One thing that immediately separates Lola from the rest of her peers is definitely her ability to make even the biggest arenas feel super intimate. Even when performing for thousands, it often felt like she was singing to each person individually. Between songs, she chatted with the crowd, told stories, made jokes, and often thanked her fans for sticking with her during her time away.
But it was just after “d3aler” that Lola addressed everything that went on last year, and I tell you what, I was close to tearing up in that photo pit. Especially when she shared that she thought her career was over and she would never be able to do this again, and that she presumed all her fans wouldn’t care about her anymore or would be angry with her. But it was the complete opposite, the fanbase could not have been more supportive, and our girl is back with a vengeance!
The middle section of the set let Lola’s songwriting stand out. Songs like “Why Do I Feel Better When I Hurt You?” and “Walk All Over You” highlighted her talent for turning personal experiences into relatable music. The simple arrangements allowed her voice to shine, strengthening the emotional bond with the audience.
But of course, no Lola Young show would be complete without a little bit of chaos. Whether she was joking with fans in the front row, pulling funny faces between songs, or reacting to audience members shouting declarations of love, her personality remained one of the night’s greatest strengths. She’s refreshingly unfiltered, and that’s a huge part of why people connect with her music so deeply.
Then it was time for my highlight of the night, “Post Sex Clarity”. I knew Lola had an incredible vocal range, but this was quite possibly one of the most stunning vocal performances I have ever witnessed in a live setting in my life. This is my absolute favourite track on the album, but hearing it live has made me fall in love with it even more.
The last half of this song in particular gave me full body chills, Lola was up there singing her face off, and I haven’t felt a feeling like that since the first time I seen Beyoncé live. I was absolutely gobsmacked. What a voice she has. The gritty belts in the last few lines are somewhat hidden in the mix on the studio track, but she pulled them all to the front for the shows, and wow. Its not that often that I am speechless after a show, but I genuinely was at a loss for words. This young lady is up there with one of the best live vocalists I have ever experienced, right up there with JoJo and RAYE.
The last song before the encore was “Not Like That Anymore,” and it turned out to be the highlight of the night. When the chorus started, the energy in the O2 Academy surged. Fans jumped, sang every lyric back to Lola, and poured their energy into the show. It felt like a huge group celebration rather than just a concert. Everyone was moving, and the applause was loud as Lola left the stage. No one wanted the night to end.
After just over an hour on stage, she returned for a two-song encore that felt less like a formality and more like a celebration of everything she had overcome to get back here. But before that, Glasgow had to prove why they have the best crowds in the world, and we started belting out our signature chant, “No Scotland, No Party.”
The first encore song, “From Down Here,” received a strong reaction from the audience, creating a reflective moment after the main set. Lola was clearly moved when the audience sang along with her. This song held special meaning for her because of the struggles from the past year, creating a deep sense of unity and solidarity.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. The opening notes of her viral hit “Messy” rang out, and sent the O2 Academy into absolute meltdown.
A sea of phones filled the air, drinks were left behind, and thousands sang loudly together. If “Not Like That Anymore” was the party moment of the night, “Messy” was the moment everyone let their feelings out. The crowd nearly overpowered the chorus, eager to sing along. Lola spent a lot of the song smiling and stepping back from the microphone, enjoying the bond with her fans. It was a beautiful moment to see her on centre stage, reflecting on her journey from uncertainty to capturing the attention of a room full of devoted, super proud fans.
Watching her on stage in those last moments, smiling as the audience sang along, it was obvious how much had changed in less than a year. The woman who once worried she’d never perform again was now winning over a crowd that had supported her. As she took her final bow and waved goodbye to Glasgow, Lola looked truly moved by the warm welcome, and you couldn’t help but smile.
In conclusion, this was more than just a comeback show. It showed the power of resilience, honesty, and great songwriting. Lola Young never forgot the music that inspired her, even during tough times in her career. When she returned to Glasgow, she wasn’t just back on stage; she was showing how determination can turn challenges into achievements and reminding everyone why her voice is important.
I could not recommend this tour enough. Lola is one of the most phenomenal live acts I have ever witnessed and you need to see that for yourself! Her voice is truly unbelievable.
5/5 STARS.