Review: Lola Young – O2 Academy Glasgow

Writer Neil Renton reviews the ‘Messy’ pop star’s recent show in Glasgow’s southside.

It’s The Chappell Roan Effect.

What happens when an artist bursts onto the scene, spending years becoming an overnight star, only to find themselves one of the most popular acts around in the blink of an eye?

It’s a tricky one for record companies, especially when their artist doesn’t necessarily play by the rules—like Chappell Roan.

Music bosses want to make the most of their client while also protecting them, hoping to capitalise on their fame but not at the expense of burnout.

And that’s where Lola Young finds herself: in the eye of the storm, in the middle of a tour that finally reached Glasgow after a couple of date changes and venue moves.

She bounded onto the O2 stage with a mix of playful enthusiasm and nervous energy, hiding under a massive baseball cap she confessed was covering up her bed head.

One thing that wasn’t hidden was her undeniable talent.

Launching straight into ‘Good Books’, she demanded the crowd’s attention with her stage presence and vocal range.

The female singer market is a busy one right now, with many dominating the airwaves and receiving the praise they deserve, so it’s important to have something that sets you apart.

What makes Young unique is her ability to be at ease with a hip-hop beat—it’s no surprise that she’s a favourite among rappers. ‘Revolve Around You’ showcased this effortlessly. The energy kept flowing with ‘Big Brown Eyes’ which sparked a massive singalong.

Yet she still has the ability to touch the soul in quieter moments. ‘Charlie’ allowed her to strip it right back, while ‘What Is It About Me’ stunned the crowd with a voice that took us all on an emotional rollercoaster.

Young announced she was about to play her last song of the set before launching headfirst into ‘Conceited.’

That was the moment those in the seats found their feet, raising their phones in unison to record. The moment when things got louder, her backing band turning it up a notch.

As the song finished, some people headed for the exit. Maybe chasing those pesky late-night trains or assuming the gig was over.

But she wasn’t done. She still had an encore and a ‘Messy’ ace up her sleeve.

It’s been a while since a song has connected with an audience quite like this. Maybe ‘Seventeen Going Under’ by Sam Fender, but beyond that, there

hasn’t been a track that resonates so deeply.

Young acknowledged that it’s been a life-changing moment—one that has inspired her upcoming album, which she confirmed is already finished.

But she knows ‘Messy’ belongs to the public now, which is why she held the mic out to her adoring crowd, letting us all sing the chorus we know by heart.

Finally, it was time to call it a night.

What does the future hold for Young? You could imagine her delivering the next James Bond theme with grace and ease. You can see her taking this exact set to festivals this summer and stealing the show.

Whatever path she takes, it’s going to be an exciting one. Catch her if you can.

She won’t be playing venues this size for much longer.