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The noise surrounding Lily Allen’s incredible 2025 comeback album West End Girl has been close to deafening. Justifiably so, because this is so much more than a regular album. West End Girl recalls, in excruciating detail, a chapter of Allen’s life that could diplomatically be referred to as difficult. Moreover, it’s a vitally important opus because it lends a voice to other women in an abusive situation.
We knew, going into the first of Allen’s two nights at the Orpheum, that the album is essentially about her marriage to actor David Harbour which lasted from 2020 to 2025. We knew that there was a definite “ick” element about the whole concept of essentially being pushed into an open marriage. From the day of the record’s release, that felt like a very specific form of hell: wanting a loving, committed, monogamous marriage but being faced with the choice of “open or nothing” and choosing the former in order to keep the family together.
It’s also true that, while with Harbour, Allen didn’t release an album. Her last one prior to West End Girl was 2018’s No Shame. The fact that Harbour sent Allen a sinister note with “bad luck flowers” when she appears in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story in 2021 naturally makes one wonder just how controlling he was over her career.
Regardless, Allen is back now, the album is pure brilliance, and her one woman show at the Orpheum was a celebration of those things. Still, it remains a fact that we weren’t ready for the emotions that this album, performed start-to-finish on this tour, would stir in the live environment. Seeing Allen, alone on stage and utterly vulnerable, singing these beautiful, strong, devastating songs was an undeniably powerful experience.
It’s worth mentioning that, as an opening act, the Dallas Minor Trio is a group of cellists who play songs from Allen’s prior albums, while a screen beams out the lyrics so that the crowd can sing along. Tons of fun to be had there, and it highlights the fact that Allen is the focus here.
Again, the album was performed in its entirety and in order, so Allen’s set list offered no surprises. The title track kicked off the West End Girl show, a song that immediately introduced the toxicity that plagued Allen’s marriage: “You were pushing it forward, Made me feel a bit awkward.” The songs also dip into the aforementioned play (gifting the album and song its title): “That’s when your demeanor started to change, You said that I’d have to audition, I said, ‘You’re deranged.’”
With the stage set, Allen moved straight into “Ruminating,” a song that any human can relate to. Her husband is out and about, sleeping with other people, and Allen is lying awake at night unable to exorcise the mental image. Pure, vicious agony!
“Sleepwalking” is nothing short of a musical plea. “Tennis” and then “Madeline” awkwardly introduce the begrudged rules of their “open marriage.” Jesus fucking Christ, it’s all so unpleasant. “Pussy Palace” follows, and then “4chan Stan,” with the refrain “What a sad, sad man, It’s giving 4chan stan.”
“Nonmonogamummy” is the best song on the album, and of the night. Structurally, it’s an upbeat pop song with a ‘60s go-go vibe, plus additional vocals by reggae man Specialist Moss. But, unsurprisingly given this album, the lyrics touch all the feels: “I’ve been trying to be open, I just want to meet your needs, and for some reason, I revert to people pleasing, I’ll be your Nonmonogamummy.” Just ouch!
“Dallas Major” gets its name from the moniker Allen used on the dating apps that she didn’t want to be using. Through it all, she poured her heart out for Los Angeles, and the crowd reacted in kind. This wasn’t just a concert, or even a regular one-woman theatrical performance. This was and is a giant therapy session. It’s also a display of strength, of resilience, and yes, of love.
Musically, the songs are dazzling; 14 pop gems ending with the ultimately affirming “Fruityloop.” Allen’s voice is on point throughout and, when she took her flowers at the show’s conclusion, it would be tough to imagine that any artist has earned them more.
Photos by Christina Bryson (@averagecowgirl).
