If you have not already heard of Lola Young you’ve been missing out. The English singer-songwriter took to the American Express stage at ACL weekend two, putting on an unforgettable performance despite the scorching heat.
Young immediately set the tone for the hour with “Good Books” and “Wish You Were Dead.” These emotional, high-energy songs examine the frustration of maintaining a volatile relationship with someone who doesn’t appreciate the effort. During “Big Brown Eyes,” “Don’t Hate Me,” and “Crush,” Young sang fiercely and sensually, moving the crowd to sing and dance with equal passion. Each song was performed with intensity and beyond-impressive vocals.
The performance grew melancholic for her soul-stirring ballads “What Is It About Me,” “Revolve Around You,” and “You Noticed.” These three songs especially strike a nerve and Young’s emotionally raw performance left the crowd mesmerized. She went on to introduce her hit song “Messy,” meant for those who feel simultaneously too much and not enough. Her energy on stage was contagious, sparking a collective outpouring of emotion at the song’s chorus. It was obvious that the music resonated and was deeply cathartic for all those listening.
As her time on stage came to an end, the sinister intro to “Conceited,” one of Young’s most bold and liberating pieces, began to play. She sang her heart out and danced to the playful and edgy track while the crowd cheered and recited every defiant lyric. The song allowed Young’s band to shine; her guitarist and drummer were rightfully given the spotlight and continued to play as the crowd dispersed and Young exited the stage.
Lola Young’s stage presence is truly unmatched. There was not a dull moment in her entire set. She is refreshingly authentic and effortlessly balances her music’s vulnerability with an uninhibited sense of humor and relatability. Her discography, exploring deeply personal themes of toxic relationships, body image, identity, and self-loathing draws a crowd overflowing with solidarity and connectedness.
As she closes out the North American leg of her “This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway” tour and enters into stardom, Young will continue to captivate audiences with her talent and inspirationally wear her heart on her sleeve.