Lily Allen embraced a distinctive fashion choice at Lollapalooza Berlin on Saturday, channeling the character Deirdre Barlow from the British soap opera Coronation Street. Allen performed at the festival wearing oversized, clear-framed spectacles, reminiscent of Barlow's signature eyewear.
Deirdre Barlow, a character famously portrayed by the late Anne Kirkbride, was known for her distinctive glasses. A notable storyline in the series involved Dev Alahan accidentally breaking her iconic lenses.
While Allen adopted the spectacles, she paired them with a racy corset and suspenders for her performance as part of her "West End Girl" tour. She later changed into a strapless gold mini dress with a large bow on the back.
The "West End Girl" show, which explores the emotional impact of Allen's separation from actor David Harbour, features 14 songs and has a run time of 44 minutes. These performances mark Allen's first tour since her "No Shame Tour" in 2018.
However, the tour has faced criticism from some fans regarding its length and ticket prices. Concerns have been raised about the cost of tickets, which have ranged from £38 to £86, for a performance that lasts approximately 50 minutes without a support act. One concertgoer on X expressed frustration over the show's brevity and lack of audience interaction.
Allen addressed these criticisms in a statement on Monday, explaining that the show is designed to be performed as the album in its entirety and that her artistic choice not to speak to the audience is intended to enhance the storytelling. She clarified that a support act was advertised and that her lateness was due to a wardrobe issue. Allen stated that the entire tour team is working hard to deliver the best possible show and that she is proud of it.
Allen told Vogue that the "West End Girl" show is different from her previous tours, stating it feels more theatrical. She highlighted the attention to detail in props, costume, and lighting contributing to the storytelling, and expressed pride in the show's intensity.