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Olivia Rodrigo has brought out Lily Allen at her London show to duet ‘Smile’ – listen to the cover down below.
On her third night playing at London’s O2 Arena yesterday (May 17), Rodrigo announced she had a special guest for the audience, who she called “the most clever songwriter. And the coolest girl in London.
“I think the best day of my whole career was when I got to sing with her at Glastonbury,” she continued. “I absolutely adore her. Will you please give it up for Miss Lily Allen!”
To wild screams from the audience, Lily Allen stepped out on stage, where she proceeded to sing her 2006 hit ‘Smile’ – with the crowd singing along.
It’s not the first time they’ve teamed up before – as Rodrigo mentioned, she enlisted the help of Allen at Glastonbury 2022 to dedicate her song ‘Fuck You’ to the US Supreme Court (who, at the time, had just overturned Roe v Wade).
Watch Rodrigo and Allen sing ‘Smile’ below:
In a four-star review of Rodrigo’s first London show, NME said: “It’s the songs that pick at the deepest wounds that resonate with tonight’s crowd. ‘Vampire’’s stunning build from a piano ballad to jaunty clap-back to the people who should know better is one of many howl-along moments.
“The raw regret of ‘Drivers Licence’ brought her to this venue a few years ago, but now, it’s sung with both the lived experience and confidence that comes only from someone who’s moved on to even bigger and better things; there’s no denying that Rodrigo has certainly done that and will continue to do so.
NME also reviewed her sophomore album ‘GUTS’ in a five-star review, writing: “‘Guts’ doesn’t just feel transitional in a musical sense. It marks the end of Rodrigo’s teenage years, a moment that has gravity given that she recently said in a statement that she felt like she grew “10 years” between the ages of 18 and 20.
“Here, she offers blunt self-analysis while reflecting on wider cultural ideas of performance and swallowing anger in order to comply with the wants and needs of others. It works as a display of real power, range and versatility – all of which Rodrigo possesses in abundance.”
Meanwhile, Lily Allen has recently announced she’s been “trying some stuff out” with country and western music, adding: “I do love country and western music. And also I feel like with my writing, it’s quite storytelling, sort of like narrative-led music.”
However, it seems like new music from the Londoner might have to wait, claiming there was no deadline for her to finish a new album: “I’m kind of left to my own devices and I haven’t got, like, a deadline… No one has any anticipation.”
Her last album was 2018’s ‘No Shame’, which NME gave four stars: “By the end, it’s hard to deny No Shame represents the woman who made it: it’s a smart, self-aware and compellingly imperfect record with a pretty unique point of view.”
In other news, Olivia Rodrigo has said she is “so disappointed” after her Manchester Co-Op Live shows were postponed.
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Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner say they are certain they will eventually record music together.
The pop punk favourites and the singer songwriter will be touring together across Australia and the UK throughout May, June and July for a series of co headlining shows. They also came close to recording a track together for Bowling For Soup’s upcoming twelfth studio album.
Lead singer Jaret Reddick told ContactMusic.com: "We had actually talked about doing a track together for the new [BFS] album.
"I was working on songs during a really hectic period for Frank. We had planned this perfect day where he would stop by the studio. He did show up, but we ended up just spending time together and catching up instead, with no expectations.
"I feel like if we had tried to finish something just to release it before the tours, it probably would not have come out the way we wanted.
"I do believe that at some point down the line we are both sure we will create something together."
Frank and Jaret have already worked side by side in the studio before on the track Drunk As It Takes, which appeared on the BFS frontman’s country album.
Frank reflected: "There is something special about country songwriting that I think we both really admire.
"There is a real honesty and straightforwardness to it that I think both of us naturally bring into our own music, no matter what style we are working in."
Even though Frank is not featured on the new record, Jaret did share some insight into Bowling For Soup’s forthcoming album, which gained momentum after they recorded Holding Onto That Hate last summer while testing equipment for audio company SSL.
He explained: "They were looking for a band to come in and record a track to test out some new studio equipment. It ended up being our first recording as a three piece.
"I remember telling the guys, 'I think I am feeling inspired again. Let’s just go for it.'
"We set a target date, which ended up being February this year, and we followed through. A lot of the songwriting happened toward the end of last year and continued into January."
Jaret mentioned that he considers the 2009 album Sorry For Partying to be "the last truly great Bowling For Soup record," but he is very optimistic about what is coming next.
He said: "Some fans would probably argue and say, 'Actually, Lunch. Drunk. Love. is great as well'.
"But when I think about the last couple of albums, I sometimes feel like there were a few tracks I maybe should have left off.
"With this new record, there honestly is not a single weak track. All three of us feel like this could end up being the best Bowling For Soup album we have ever made, which feels wild to even say."
At first, the group considered putting the album out quickly, but they later decided to take more time with it.
He added: "To be honest, that idea does not really make sense since we will be touring with Frank and also heading out with Simple Plan.
"We are now thinking about releasing it in the fall or possibly even early next year. It is going to be worth the wait."
Full schedule for Bowling For Soup x Frank Turner Bowl My Bones UK Tour 2026:
June 25 Margate Dreamland
June 26 Southampton TK Maxx Presents Southampton Summer Sessions
June 27 Lincoln TK Maxx Presents Live at Lincoln Castle
June 29 Glasgow O2 Academy Glasgow
June 30 Halifax TK Maxx Presents Live at The Piece Hall
July 2 Scarborough TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre
July 3 Llangollen TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavillion
July 4 Cardiff TK Maxx Presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle
July 5 St Austell Eden Sessions
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