For a show that’s faced its fair share of rescheduled dates due to health reasons and increased demand, you might have expected the light to have dwindled a bit in fans’ eyes by the time Lola Young‘s gig at Bristol’s SWX finally came around. But as ticket-holders queue around the block for a spot down the front at the 1100 capacity venue, it’s clear: the Lola Young hype is far from over.
The 24-year-old, BRIT school attendee and John Lewis-ad alumni blew-up this year with her bedroom-written TikTok anthem ‘Messy’ taken from her second studio album ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway’, released last June. The singer, who had an organic rise to fame through persistent gigging around London, steps out onstage tonight donning a furry pink trapper hat, plaid shirt and baggy jeans with a pink blade down the side, the fit aligning with her jagged-edge image.
Opening with ‘Good Books’ the lead track from ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway’, it isn’t long before her bold personality is centre stage. “My grandad is here tonight” she beams as she looks for him in a packed room. Local to Bristol, he’s made it down to see her perform. Teary-eyed, she reads a heartfelt note from him, disclosing he has restored her faith in men before launching into ‘I Wish You Were Dead,’ but she’s quick to laugh off the unfortunate transition. A gritty distorted guitar collides with Lola’s powerful vocal delivery for the track, turning the room into a rock show momentarily, ‘Fuck’ and the stripped-back yearner ‘You Noticed’ following in quick succession, showcasing her ability to shift gears.
A deep cut in ‘Revolve Around You’ is a nod to pre-‘This Wasn’t Meant…’ material, followed by the swaggering groove of ‘Big Brown Eyes’ which switches into a rebellious, spirited chorus carrying a theatrical charm as Lola chants “I could have anybody else, but I like what I like” with unwavering self-awareness.
Carrying the same authenticity on stage as she does in interviews, effortlessly herself, Lola briefly babbles about a new batch of ADHD medication, singing for punters early on in her career, and her admiration for Buxton water, swigging a bottle of the stuff between songs. It’s a telling moment early on, too, as Lola subtly mouths to someone in the front row, seemingly checking in to see if they’re okay amongst some crowd kerfuffle.
The tightness of Lola’s band is never more apparent than during ‘Walk on By’, a song which blends modern electronic elements with a timeless, soulful groove, meshing old and new seamlessly. It’s a real highlight.
A testament to her band, the four-piece keep the energy high even after Lola steps off stage for a minute. ‘Conceited’ sparks the biggest crowd reaction of the night—until the encore. Then comes ‘What Is It About Me,’ a fragile moment, showing Lola at her most vulnerable. There’s a sense of desperation in the air before the final song; everyone knows what’s coming next.
Lola pauses to reflect on ‘Messy’ and its impact—a song she wrote about herself, laying bare her flaws exactly as they are, warts and all. If tonight proves anything, it’s the singer’s ability to balance vulnerability with unshakable confidence. The small crowd has lapped up every minute of it, eager to soak in every moment, knowing they’re witnessing an artist on the cusp of something bigger than the room they find themselves in.
See the setlist below:
