I came to this gig as a casual fan. I left as a convert. LP (Laura Pergolizzi) played a sold-out show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire last night as part of their All Is Not Lost Tour, supporting their latest album Room 12. The venue had been moved from the O2 Academy Brixton at the last minute, but original tickets remained valid and the grandeur and tight acoustics of the Shepherd’s Bush Empire turned out to be a gift.
A note on pronouns
Italian-American rock star LP uses they/them pronouns. In writing this review, I’ve followed their lead, because respecting people’s identities is part of being a decent human being. And LP, in case you were wondering, is exactly the kind of person worth respecting.
The fans: Real commitment
Before LP and the band took to the stage, I found myself chatting to the people around me. And what a fascinating bunch they were. These weren’t casual gig-goers. These were superfans. People who had travelled from all over, other regions of England, Scotland, and even France. People who had driven many kilometres, booked hotels, and gone through proper adventures just to be there. Most of them had seen LP at least four times on average. Some were on their fifth, sixth, seventh visit.
I almost felt ashamed for only coming on a short bus ride from SW London to Shepherd’s Bush.
What struck me is that LP loves her fans back. Truly. She stops to greet them and hug them after every concert. This isn’t a distant rock star who disappears into a limo: this is someone who genuinely appreciates the people who show up for her, night after night, city after city.
One lady I spoke to had come by train from Northern England with her daughter to see LP for their fifth time. On a previous occasion, she gave her idol a t-shirt featuring a song LP had written about her former Mexican girlfriend, only to find out from LP herself that they had just split up. She felt embarrassed, of course. But LP hugged her as a reward for her commitment and chatted to her and her daughter. That’s the kind of person we’re talking about here.
The performance: No frills, all talent
LP is one of those few real rock stars left in this shallow world. And I mean that sincerely. She turns up with her band in time unlike some other divas who are always late for gigs. She plays amazing music, all written by herself. She does not change outfits. She does not rely on visuals or videos. The stage is plain because the music speaks for itself and does not need to be helped by props or visually striking distractions.
Her lyrics are deep and speak to the soul. Her music is full of variety: ukulele, various guitars, and whistling like a pro. In fact, she sings with her human whistle. She plays the tambourine. She does it all.
And here’s where I have to declare a personal connection: I have performed Lost on You at Sheen Live Jam, and I know far too well how tough that song is. The whistling, the tambourine playing, the singing, all while navigating a song that includes the full vocal range from low to falsetto. It is not easy. LP keeps those falsetto highs going for two and a half hours. That is, by any measure, incredible.
The setlist: Deep cuts and anthems
The setlist balanced deeper cuts from Room 12 alongside career-spanning global anthems including Love Lines, One Last Time, Girls Go Wild, Recovery, Tightrope, When We’re High, Muddy Waters, Dayglow, Long Goodbye, and Forever for Now before the encore.
Each song was delivered with the same intensity and emotional honesty. There were no filler moments, no pandering to the crowd. Just song after song of beautifully crafted, deeply felt music.
The voice: A masterclass
Fans around me kept talking about LP’s “operatic chest belt” and “flawless live whistling notes.” They weren’t exaggerating. Their vocals filled the historic, three-tiered theatre perfectly, every corner of the Shepherd’s Bush Empire seemed to resonate with the sound.
There’s a chemistry between LP and their backing band including guitar powerhouse Andrew Berkeley Martin and bassist Jermaine from the South that you can’t fake. They play together like people who have been doing this for years and still love it. That was a masterful show worthy of a legend.
The venue: An unexpected gift
The last-minute relocation from Brixton Academy caused some frustration, chaotic, cold queues outside the venue but the overarching consensus was that the Shepherd’s Bush Empire actually enhanced the emotional weight of the ballads. The grandeur of the building, the tight acoustics, the intimacy of the space, it all worked in LP’s favour.
Sometimes things happen for a reason.
The verdict
At the end of the night, I had converted to a super fan (walking out with a LP T-shirt merchandising).
LP is the real deal. No gimmicks, no distractions, no shortcuts. Just raw, unfiltered talent and a genuine connection with the people who have travelled miles to see her. In a world of manufactured pop stars and over-produced spectacles, LP stands apart.
If you get the chance to see her live, take it. You won’t regret it.
Did you go? I’d love to hear your highlights in the comments!
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
