British singer Lola Young made a strong comeback with a one-night-only concert at London's Palladium, her first full live performance in months following a health scare. The show highlighted her raw vocals and engaging setlist, drawing cheers from a supportive crowd. Young, fresh off Grammy and BRIT Award wins, delivered standout moments including a shout-out to producer James Blake.
Lola Young, known for her unfiltered style and powerful vocals reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Adele, returned to performing at the historic London Palladium in Soho on Wednesday. The 2,200-seat venue, which has hosted legends like The Beatles and Frank Sinatra, provided an ideal backdrop for her comeback after she collapsed onstage at the All Things Go Festival in New York in September 2025. In a statement at the time, Young said, “I’m going away for a while,” explaining she needed time to “work on myself and come back stronger,” leading to canceled live dates including a U.K. tour.
Building on recent successes, Young won best pop solo performance at the 2026 Grammys in February, beating Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. During her acceptance speech, she remarked, “I don’t know what to say,” followed by an F-bomb. Just days before the Palladium show, she received the breakthrough artist award at the BRIT Awards, where she noted, “music was a safe haven” and a place to “escape for so many, including myself.” Her U.K. No. 1 single “Messy,” a global hit since her 2019 debut, underscored her rise as a BRIT School alum.
The concert opened with Young strutting onstage, blowing a kiss to the crowd, and performing a hushed solo piano version of “Bad Game (3AM),” met with supportive yelps. The first five songs, including “Spiders” and “Why Do I Feel Better When I Hurt You?,” featured sparse arrangements with piano or solo guitar, showcasing her vocal strength. A five-piece band joined for the sixth song, energizing tracks like “Penny Out of Nothing” from her third LP I’m Only F*ing Myself and “Conceited” from her second album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, which had the balcony bouncing.
Mid-set, Young thanked the audience and pointed out James Blake, a recent acquaintance in the stalls, prompting him to wave and hinting at possible future collaboration. She delivered conviction in “Big Brown Eyes,” singing lines like “I could have anybody else” yet “You can call me b-tch if you say it with your big brown eyes.” Songs like “D£aler,” which peaked at No. 27 in the U.K. despite Elton John's bet for No. 1, and “One Thing” at No. 18, felt renewed live. Closing with “Messy,” Young called it the “song that changed my life,” as the crowd sang along, emphasizing its message of self-acceptance.
The full setlist included: “Bad Game (3AM),” “Spiders,” “Walk All Over You,” “Why Do I Feel Better When I Hurt You?,” “Sad Sob Story,” “Wish You Were Dead,” “Penny Out Of Nothing,” “Conceited,” “Big Brown Eyes,” “Post Sex Clarity,” “Dealer,” “One Thing,” “You Noticed,” “Not Like That Anymore,” and “Messy.”
