Lola Young’s “try not to give a fuck” surprise set
When you’re navigating the beautiful chaos of life, sometimes the best thing you can do is just refuse to care. That’s the philosophy singer-songwriter Lola Young brought to the stage at Reading 2026, offering a candid dose of reality and defiant joy to a sprawling festival crowd.
Making a surprise appearance on The Grid, Young delivered a performance that was less about spectacle and more about raw, honest connection. She stepped onto the stage just hours after announcing her set, which immediately set a tone of playful secrecy. As she greeted the audience, she shared a piece of wisdom that resonated deeply: “Try not to give a fuck.”
This wasn’t just a casual remark; it was an invitation to embrace the difficult moments of existence. “Life is very, very difficult and there are some very difficult moments. Politically, the world is fucked, but this is what we get to do,” she told the crowd. “We get to share our music, share our art, and you guys get to be here, so it’s a beautiful moment.”
Young’s performance was a journey through her recent discography, drawing heavily from her 2024 album ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’ and the acclaimed follow-up, ‘I’m Only F&em>king Myself’. The set featured powerful tracks like ‘Wish You Were Dead’ and ‘Big Brown Eyes’, punctuated by moments of vulnerability and pure energy.
The atmosphere shifted as Young interacted with the audience, taking moments to connect with the energy flowing from the crowd. She even ad-libbed a heartfelt line during one of the songs, adding a layer of genuine emotion to the performance.
The performance was carefully curated, featuring tracks such as ‘Conceited’, ‘Post Sex Clarity’, and ‘Spiders’, with lighting effects that enhanced the mood, bathing the stage in sepia tones during key moments. It was a masterclass in balancing raw emotion with compelling stage presence.
This surprise appearance was part of a wider thread of shared moments at the festival. Young was part of a trilogy of secret performances, following appearances by acts like Jamie T and Royal Blood, adding an element of exclusive discovery to the festival experience.
Beyond the main stage, Young’s musical journey continues to expand. In May, she shared new material through a collaboration with James Blake on the single ‘From Down Here’, which later debuted live on BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland. Lola Young’s music proves that even amidst the noise of the world, finding the courage to share your truth—and your art—is the most powerful thing of all.
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