Lily Allen has fired back at criticism surrounding her 'West End Girl' tour, declaring she's "extremely proud" of the entire production. The singer-songwriter's ongoing UK and Ireland stint marks a career high for headline shows, with fans getting to experience her acclaimed 2025 album in its entirety.
But not everyone is singing along – Rupert Hawksley, opinion editor at The Spectator, recently blasted the tour for being too slick, too short (clocking in under an hour), and woefully lacking a support act. He also took aim at ticket prices, highlighting some seats were eye-wateringly expensive at £86.
Lily Allen fought back on social media, clarifying that the Dallas Minor Trio is indeed part of the tour, reimagining some of her greatest hits with their unique sound. She also explained that her decision to keep the main show brief was an "artistic choice" designed to enhance the storytelling aspect – and one that most fans seem to appreciate.
The 'West End Girl' tour is a far cry from your average pop concert, with Allen taking centre stage on a theatrical set complete with props, backed by a backing track rather than a live band. It's all part of her vision to present the album as a cohesive piece of art – not just a greatest hits collection. Speaking of which, earlier this year Allen even went so far as to leave out some of her older classics in favour of newer material on her theatre tour, with some reviewers noting that fans got a chance to get up close and personal with her anthems beforehand.
Lily Allen wrapped up her defence by praising the tireless work of everyone involved in the tour – "we're all about delivering the best show possible", she said. While Hawksley later clarified his album-focused criticisms, he still expressed surprise at the lack of a support act and audience engagement. To which Allen quipped: "I'm just a bit weird, I suppose!"
The 'West End Girl' tour rolls on, with dates scheduled in Dublin before coming to a close back in London. And if you thought that was all for this summer, think again – Lily Allen's also set to make waves at some of the biggest festivals around, including Boardmasters in the UK.