Nothing says “bad bitch” like smoking an e-cigarette on stage – ask Lily Allen, who did just that in a sold out show at Festival Hall night. After a five-year long hiatus from the music industry, the ultimate anti-pop star is back with a bang.
After a recent onslaught of mixed reviews of her latest album Sheezus, which saw critics come down on the now married mother of two’s somewhat risqué themes present in Allen’s pop lyrics (we’re talking the throes of parenthood, keyboard warriors, weight gain and, ah, menstrual cycles), you would be forgiven for thinking that the once upon a time party girl might have mellowed. You would also be wrong. Start to finish; she put on a spectacular show.
Back in town for a Splendour in the Grass sideshow, the singer stepped onto stage in a smoking hot silver jumpsuit with a pink ponytail to boot before an outfit change into short shorts and an oversized sequined top featuring the all to appropriate slogan, “sorry you’re basic”, looking every bit the diva we remember her to be.
Greeted by a ready and rearing audience already warmed up by support act Australian rapper Allday, the stage was ornamented with oversized, illuminated baby bottles – perhaps a tongue-in-cheek nod to the excessive tabloid attention the artist received around her recent pregnancies.
First up on the set list was a feisty rendition of the new album’s namesake “Sheezus”, featuring a troupe of hip-thrusting hip-hop dancers reminiscent of the “Hard Out Here” music video for those who are familiar, who in fact donned dog face masks for the knock out performance of this particular song, the album’s first single. Just to reiterate – bad bitches.
The two hour show featured songs not only from Allen’s latest album, but an array of old favourites from her previous successes, It’s Not Me, It’s You (2009) and Alright, Still (2006), much to the pleasure of the audience which was evidently made up of a majority of long-standing fans.
Eternally energetic and at ease onstage, the artist chatted and joked and instagrammed with the audience, and confessed to coming down with the flu and sporting a fever of 39. Yet this seemed to in no way hinder her performance, which she spent the duration of dancing around the stage not dissimilar to a teen dancing in her bedroom – or “like your aunty”, as she puts it.
Crowd favourites included lively performances of “Fuck You”, which saw a sea of middle fingers pointed towards the woman people had paid 100 bucks to see, and “22” which the Brit crudely professes to be about “being young, dumb and full of…” well, you know the rest. Other highlights included a haunting cover of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” which showed off the singers stunning vocals, an attitude-heavy “URL Bad Man” that saw Allen passionately sing out against cyber bullies, which followed on from “Littlest Things”, a song she performed entirely in the crowd standing amidst her front row fans.
While there is an undeniable cringe factor present on the latest album, witnessing the artist perform these particular songs live with no apologies and complete self confidence – you just kind of get it. Prior to playing “Close Your Eyes” (one strong example of cringe factor), she admits, “this song’s a bit gross really…” and yes, it is. But it’s also honest, and honesty is never something Lily has lacked, and it’s something her fans seem to truly relish.
Finishing up with encore performances of hit single “The Fear” and Allen’s own unofficial World Cup song for England, “Bass Like Home” before breaking into an incredibly upbeat “It’s Not Fair” complete with a stunning light show and even a little ho-down from Lily herself, the show ended on an insane high. Ask not whether Lily Allen’s still got it, ask where she got all that! Splendour goers – you have been warned: not to be missed!
