Singer-songwriter Lola Young made a surprise return to the stage with a secret set at Reading Festival, almost a year after collapsing during a performance in New York and announcing an indefinite hiatus. The appearance marks a significant comeback for the 25-year-old, who had also pulled out of last year's Reading Festival due to scheduling conflicts before her health scare prompted her to cancel all commitments in October 2025.

Young announced the surprise slot via Instagram just before taking to The Grid stage at 14:15 on 30 August, having been billed only as a mystery "special guest". She performed a nine-song set including hits such as 'Wish You Were Dead', 'Big Brown Eyes' and her viral breakout track 'Messy', following a brief six-date UK tour earlier in the summer. The set caps a strong year for Young, who won her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance and a Brit Award for Breakthrough Act, and appeared alongside a line-up including Charli XCX, Fontaines DC and Raye at this year's festival.