Lola Young @ Glasgow 02 Academy (June 2026): cheeky, confident, and clearly feeling much better (live review)

Despite releasing her third album to critical acclaim last year, 2025 was a tricky time for Lola Young. Live performances in support of I’m Only F**king Myself were put on hold, following highly publicised incidents, including collapsing onstage, during a festival performance in New York.

Taking to the stage to deafening applause, Young thanks the audience for ‘sticking by’ her and admits that tonight’s reception has provided her with ‘much needed energy’. This is the fourth night of the rescheduled UK tour and there are thankfully no signs of last years ill-health.

Opener ‘SAD SOB STORY!’ is a scathing and emotional break-up ballad, although it’s a slower number the crowd are immediately invested, with the vast majority singing along word for word. Young’s voice is mesmerising with short bursts of spoken lyrics pushing through her raspy London accent.

Lola Young at Glasgow Academy – Credit: Gregor Faulds
@picsbygeg

As the set progresses Young’s stage presence is full of confident swagger, as she fires through fan favourites ‘d£aler’ and ‘One Thing’. There is crotch grabbing and explicit hand gestures during ‘Not Like That Anymore’ that is greeted with laughter and cheers each time, rather than being offended it’s taken as cheeky, and quite endearing.

With World Cup fever currently sweeping the nation, ‘No Scotland, no party’ is belted out by the crowd during the encore. As Young returns to the stage she joins in with the sing-along before dialling down the tone with brand new track ‘From Down Here’. It’s a reflective ode to her journey to recovery in the last few months, ‘Not quite alive, I’m somewhere in between, I miss the high from down here’ is suggestive of a difficult transition that’s far from over for her.

Young saves the best for last with a joyous rendition of her huge 2024 hit, ‘Messy’. It is the first time we see the seated section upstairs rise to their feet as the whole Academy belts out the lyrics. It is a showpiece finale for an artist who appears to be once again on top of her game. We can only hope Lola Young continues her trajectory to greatness and that those around her offer her appropriate protection.

Setlist

Penny Out of Nothing

why do i feel better when i hurt you?

Walk All Over You

Post Sex Clarity

SPIDERS