Lola Young Calls Time: The Rising Star Steps Back After Onstage Collapse

There’s nothing glamorous about burning out on stage, and Lola Young just proved that in the harshest way possible. The 24-year-old South London singer-songwriter, who’s been riding a wave of viral hits and raw, soul-baring projects, announced this week that she’s stepping away from music “for the foreseeable future.”

The breaking point hit on September 27th in New York City, where Young collapsed mid-performance at the All Things Go festival during her track “Conceited.” Medical staff rushed her offstage in front of stunned fans. Just days earlier, she’d already canceled a set at Audacy’s We Can Survive event, citing a “sensitive matter.” By September 28th, her Washington, D.C. show was off the books too.

Two days later, Young went public: she’s shutting it all down, tours, festivals, appearances, until further notice. In a statement, she apologized to fans, promised refunds, and admitted she needs time to “work on myself” so she can hopefully return stronger.

Why This Isn’t Out of Nowhere

If you’ve been following Lola, this doesn’t come out of left field. Her career has been electric, but also jagged:

• She’s spoken openly about mental health struggles and the toll of the spotlight.

• She’s dealt with vocal cord issues and cysts that have forced cancellations before.

• She’s been honest about addiction and recovery, carving her story into her music as much as her lyrics.
  

When you stitch all of that together, the collapse feels less like a freak accident and more like the inevitable outcome of relentless pressure meeting human limits.

The Risk of Stepping Away

Timing couldn’t be trickier. Young’s new album, I’m Only F**king Myself, just dropped September 19th, and her single “Messy” blew up internationally this year, cementing her as one of the most exciting new UK voices since Amy Winehouse. To put it bluntly: her career momentum is peaking.

A long break could kill that momentum in an industry that moves faster than ever. Fans are loyal, but attention spans? Not so much. Still, she’s not just another artist chasing numbers. Lola’s music has always felt like a document of her survival. If she returns on her own terms, stronger and sharper, that authenticity could make her even more untouchable.

What Happens Next?

For now, the questions outnumber the answers. How long will this pause last? Will she reimagine her career around studio work instead of the grind of touring? Can she hold onto the spark of “Messy” once the noise dies down?

One thing’s clear: Lola Young has already earned her place as one of the boldest, most brutally honest voices of her generation. Taking a step back doesn’t erase that. If anything, it makes her story even more real. And if she comes back swinging, it’ll be worth the wait.