Words by: Lucy Williamson
Photos by: Emily Howarth and Lucy Williamson
Lola Young’s This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway Tour hit Bristol on Monday 24th March for a stellar gig at the city’s independent music venue, SWX! With an already sold-out show, dedicated fans were determined to secure their spot at the barrier with some queuing since the early morning! Just before the doors opened, the queue was lined up down the street, filled with anticipation and excitement for the evening ahead!
It’s no surprise the venue was packed out for the opening act, Bug Eyed, who got the crowd head bobbing and swaying with their indie pop/rock songs.
Just gone 9pm, the venue absolutely erupted with cheers as the band entered the stage. Lola Young soon joined, opening the set with “Good Books”. It was incredible experiencing her insane range with soulful and raspy vocals paired with a fusion of genres, such as punk rock riffs and heavy indie drums, to name a couple.
Before her next song, Lola dedicated her show to her Grandad. He had bought Lola a gift box with a heartfelt note in a jar saying “Lola’s flowers”; she read out the note to the audience, many of whom were moved to tears by the kind and loving words to Lola.
“You Noticed” was another stand-out track. Starting more stripped back with an acoustic guitar and building up to a full band setup, this hauntingly beautiful ballad truly showcased Lola’s emotional depth and honesty. This resonated deeply with the audience, who gently sang the lyrics with a sense of being fully present in the moment. The crowd was filled with a wave of torchlights that swayed from left to right.
Lola and her band performed a stacked setlist with “Big Brown Eyes” and “Crush”. Her bold anthem, “Conceited”, was filled with raw emotion and empowerment. From the first note, the crowd went all-in with what was like a duet with them and Lola, as fans belted the lyrics about self-love.
Nearing the end of the set, the crowd clapped, cheered and chanted “Lola, Lola, Lola” ready for a double-song encore!
Her penultimate song, “What Is It About Me”, felt truly intimate, with Lola taking centre stage, making the audience connect with her on a deeper level with her honest and personal lyrics.
Closing the set with the number one hit, “Messy”, which delved deep into the raw emotion of love and heartbreak. Its catchy rhythm and relatable storytelling have captured the hearts of listeners from across the world, and this was a perfect way to round up the set. It was a truly special night.
View the full photo gallery below
Gallery 1: Emily Howarth (@grain.noise)
Gallery 2: Lucy Williamson (@lucysianphotography)
