
London Grammar delivered a compelling headline performance at LIDO Festival in London’s Victoria Park on Sunday evening, with lead singer Hannah Reid addressing the crowd about music’s role during challenging global times.
The indie pop trio, consisting of vocalist Hannah Reid, guitarist Dan Rothman, and keyboardist Dominic “Dot” Major, performed songs from their latest album, The Greatest Love, released in September of the previous year. The band captivated audiences on the warm Sunday night with their distinctive sound.
Reid, 35, spoke candidly to festival-goers about the current state of world affairs, describing the timing of their performance as particularly meaningful. She expressed her personal struggles with performing during times of global conflict and suffering.
“I’m struggling to be honest, the world’s not a very nice place at the moment, and it’s really, really, sad,” Reid told the crowd. “Thank you so much for being here with us tonight. I wish the music can bring us together, just for a moment.”
The lead singer reflected on her initial reluctance to make such statements on stage, referencing her early career decision to avoid lengthy speeches about world events. She acknowledged seeing many male musicians deliver extended monologues on global issues and had previously committed to not following that pattern.
Reid, dressed in a black ensemble, described the band as “three friends who have always been best friends since day one.” Her distinctive vocals, which have been noted for their cinematic quality, were showcased as the band opened with their song “Hey Now.”
Despite her acknowledged stage fright and previous discussions about building her career on vulnerability, Reid appeared confident throughout the performance. The show included a brief restart of their third song, “Kind of Man,” after Reid forgot the lyrics.
In a recent BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour appearance, Reid discussed how becoming a mother had changed her perspective on performing, allowing her to enjoy shows more than when the band first gained public attention over a decade ago.
The performance featured a notable stage arrangement change, with Reid informing the audience that her bandmates had switched positions for the first time in their 15-year collaboration.
The band’s rendition of “Nightcall,” a Kavinsky cover that gained recognition during the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, proved popular with attendees. Reid’s vocal performance during “Wasting My Young Years” also generated significant audience response.
Festival attendee Zoey Axton, a 27-year-old from San Francisco, described the performance as having a “moody and electric” quality, calling it “the perfect vibe for a Sunday evening.”
London Grammar formed in 2009 when Reid and Rothman met as students at the University of Nottingham. The band has since established themselves as significant figures in the indie pop landscape.
The LIDO Festival lineup included dance artists alongside UK headliners Charli XCX and Jamie xx, with performances by Roísín Murphy and Neil Frances. Reid had previously stated that the festival would showcase “women being really strong and making themselves vulnerable at the same time.”
Additional performers selected by London Grammar for the festival included soul artist Celeste, Pip Millett, Wasia Project, and Maverick Sabre. The festival takes its name from Victoria Park’s historic Lido Field and was announced the previous autumn.
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