Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party Tour

words & photos by David Jeffery-Hughes

Roundhouse, London – 19 June 2026

This was my first gig at London’s iconic Roundhouse, and what an atmospheric venue it turned out to be. Throughout the evening, I found myself repeatedly glancing up at the cavernous ceiling, taking in the scale and character of the room. The circular layout creates a surprisingly intimate feel despite its size, with a relatively small stage that allowed photographers to get remarkably close to the performers. It made for a fantastic shooting experience.

The audience was predominantly made up of women in their twenties and thirties, many sporting vibrant, colourful hairstyles. Perhaps unsurprising given that the tour was sponsored by hair dye company Good Dye Young, which Hayley Williams co-founded.

I arrived just in time to catch support act Water From Your Eyes. The New York duo brought a distinctly grungy, nonchalant energy to the stage. Lead vocalist Rachel Brown possessed something of a Lou Reed quality, delivering the opening songs with a low, drawling vocal style. It was later apparent that she was battling a sore throat, but as the set progressed her voice warmed up considerably, developing into something much sweeter and more melodic. Their set was an intriguing blend of experimental indie rock and dreamlike textures, making them a fitting opener for the evening.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

As myself and the other photographers were ushered into the pit, I took the opportunity to photograph some of the fans gathered at the front. They were clearly the most dedicated of Hayley’s followers, and their excitement was infectious. Suddenly the lights dropped, prompting a huge roar from the crowd. The backing band walked on stage and picked up their instruments before the rear lights slowly lifted, revealing the silhouette of Hayley Williams stepping into view, guitar in hand.

The opening trio of songs Mirtazapine, Showbiz, and Disappearing Man showcased a more restrained side of the set. There was a clear sense that Williams was carefully building momentum for what was to come. Backed by Joey Howard on bass, Brian Robert Jones on guitar, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel James, the band sounded exceptional throughout. Their chemistry and musicianship elevated every song while giving Williams plenty of space to shine.

It was during these opening moments that the Roundhouse’s acoustics really became apparent. Williams’ voice filled the room effortlessly, echoing beautifully around the circular venue. A particularly interesting feature of the setup was a megaphone attached to her microphone stand, allowing her to switch between delicate vocals and more abrasive, shouted passages at a moment’s notice. The contrast added an extra layer of drama and intensity to several songs.

When she launched into Ice in My OJ, the crowd response reached another level. Arms shot into the air as fans sang every lyric back at her. Midway through the set, Williams moved to the piano for one of the evening’s more emotional moments. As she performed one of her slower, more reflective songs, the venue was illuminated by hundreds of phone lights, creating a genuinely beautiful atmosphere beneath the Roundhouse’s vast ceiling.

Between songs, Williams spoke openly to the audience, reflecting on her journey as a solo artist. She explained that this was her first solo tour and expressed gratitude to friends in London who had encouraged her to pursue music outside of Paramore. In a particularly heartfelt moment, she invited the audience to take part in what she jokingly described as a little “group therapy session,” encouraging everyone to take a deep breath together because “the world seems so chaotic right now.”

One of the evening’s biggest surprises came towards the end of the set when Williams welcomed Romy Madley Croft of The xx to the stage. Together they performed a stunning cover of Prefab Sprout’s Wild Horses. It was a genuinely touching moment, made even more special by the obvious admiration the two artists had for one another.

Overall, this was a fantastic performance from Hayley Williams. Charismatic, engaging, and vocally outstanding throughout, she demonstrated exactly why she has cultivated such a devoted following beyond her work with Paramore. Combined with an audience that hung on every word and a venue that perfectly complemented the music, it made for a memorable first experience at the Roundhouse.