Fresh from an acclaimed appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival, Lucia & The Best Boys arrive at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire with momentum firmly on their side. Opening for the reunited 4 Non Blondes, the Glasgow quartet seize the opportunity with a commanding seven-song set that feels less like a support slot and more like a statement of intent.
Lucia and the Best Boys @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
With sophomore album Picking Petals due for release on 31 July, following 2023’s Burning Castles, tonight’s performance naturally leans towards the forthcoming record while still making room for fan favourites So Sweet I Could Die and Angels Cry Too from their debut.
The opening notes of So Sweet I Could Die immediately transform the ornate theatre into Lucia & The Best Boys’ world. Lucia Fairfull’s unmistakable voice glides effortlessly between tenderness and anguish, while Ally Scott’s textured guitar work, Christopher Ballantyne’s weighty basslines and Adam Campbell’s measured, powerful drumming build a wall of sound that is both cinematic and deeply intimate.
The title track from the forthcoming album, Picking Petals, follows seamlessly, showcasing the band’s evolution without sacrificing the emotional intensity that has defined them since Burning Castles. Every crescendo feels earned, with Fairfull’s vocals carrying an honesty that cuts through the room.
Breaking the spell briefly, she greets the audience warmly. “We’re Lucia & The Best Boys. We’re from Glasgow. What a lovely audience here.” The reception clearly delights her.
“It’s a pleasure to be here supporting 4 Non Blondes,” she continues. “And also, of course, playing Shepherd’s Bush Empire… I love these theatre venues so much. They’re so beautiful.” The grandeur of the Empire proves the perfect setting for the band’s expansive sound.
Introducing Wolf Cry, Fairfull turns attention to the new record. “We’re gonna play another song on our new album, which is coming out in July. This is one of my favourites, and it’s called Wolf Cry.”
It becomes one of the evening’s standout moments, demonstrating just how confidently Lucia & The Best Boys are stepping into this next chapter. The audience, many of whom are encountering the new material for the first time, respond with genuine enthusiasm.
The emotional heart of the set arrives with Better For The Worse. Fairfull reflects on writing the song during a period of heartbreak several years ago, explaining that it came from an intensely personal place and that she found herself pouring those emotions into poetry before they became songs. The vulnerability in her introduction only amplifies the impact of the performance itself, with the theatre falling into attentive silence as every lyric lands.
The atmosphere shifts once again with Big Romance, whose recorded version features Abigail Morris of The Last Dinner Party. Live, however, the song belongs entirely to Lucia & The Best Boys, its soaring chorus and dynamic arrangement underlining the confidence of a band whose new material comfortably stands alongside their established favourites.
A thunderous rendition of Angels Cry Too reconnects with the band’s debut, its brooding intensity reminding the audience how distinctive Lucia & The Best Boys have always sounded, even as their songwriting continues to evolve.
Before closing, Fairfull thanks those who have arrived early. “Thank you so much for being here early. This is very welcome.” She also invites the crowd to catch the band again later in the year as they prepare to headline their own shows in support of Picking Petals.
Closing with Lonely Girl, the quartet leave the stage to an audience that has grown noticeably larger and louder than when they began. It’s the mark of a truly successful support performance. Fresh from conquering festival stages and with an exceptional second album just weeks away, they don’t simply warm up the Shepherd’s Bush crowd for 4 Non Blondes—they leave many wondering how long it will be before they’re headlining venues like this themselves.
Live review and photography of Lucia & The Best Boys @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London by Kalpesh Patel on 25th June 2026.
4 Non Blondes Return On Their Own Terms At O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
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