Live Review

Allie X Brings Dark Pop and Technicolour to KOKO

Words by The Pit Standard · Photography by Marianne Brits

Allie X at KOKO, London — 2026-10-29

There was plenty of colour inside KOKO on Thursday night. The audience brought a youthful energy and a real sense of individuality, an interesting contrast to the darker aesthetic of the evening’s headline act. Allie X’s gothic-leaning approach to pop, with its theatrical presentation, electronic textures and infectious melodies, gave the evening a distinct identity.

The evening opened with BEKS, whose pink leotard and platinum blonde wig made quite the entrance. Roses were thrown onto the stage during her final song, bringing her set to a colourful close. Brooklyn duo Boyish followed, bringing their blend of indie rock, dream pop and shoegaze, shifting between atmospheric passages and heavier guitar moments.

The pairing also says something about the company Allie X keeps on the road. Previous tours have seen her take out Tei Shi, drag performer Violet Chachki and Toronto artist Maylee Todd, while she has also shared bills with artists including Charli XCX and Magdalena Bay. There is no single sound connecting all those names, but there is a recurring interest in artists who bring their own personality and creative identity to a live show. BEKS and Boyish make for an equally varied opening bill at KOKO.

Born Alexandra Hughes in Ontario, Allie X first came to wider attention with her 2014 single ‘Catch’, after moving from Toronto to Los Angeles to pursue songwriting. Alongside her own releases, she has written for Troye Sivan and BTS. Her records have moved from the synth-pop of CollXtion II and Super Sunset to the darker Cape God, while 2024’s self-produced Girl With No Face drew heavily on early eighties synth and new wave. Her 2025 album, Happiness Is Going to Get You, continued that creative progression. Just six days before the KOKO show, she released ‘Midnight for the Masses’, a new single that takes her electronic sound into darker territory, with lyrics exploring our growing dependence on technology.

Allie X began her set at the keyboard, initially almost lost in the shadows. It was a restrained entrance, with much of her figure concealed as the music began. As the performance developed, the lighting gradually revealed more of the stage and the theatrical character that has become such a recognisable part of her live shows. During ‘Galina’, she returned to the keys, this time fully illuminated. The contrast with the opening was striking, giving the song a different visual presence.

The set brought together songs from across her releases, with ‘Casanova’ and ‘Paper Love’ sitting alongside ‘Science’, ‘Girl of the Year’ and ‘Fresh Laundry’. The darker electronic edge of Girl With No Face came through in ‘Black Eye’, ‘Weird World’ and ‘Galina’. There is a striking contrast between the bright, immediate melodies and the more abrasive production, and the changes in tone keep the performance engaging.

Allie X is not a performer who relies on constant activity to hold attention. Much of her stage presence comes from the way she uses stillness, expression and carefully judged gestures. There is something deliberately unnatural about the way she inhabits the songs, at times almost doll-like, before letting a more playful or exaggerated side come through. It suits the music, where sharp pop hooks often sit alongside darker subject matter. Her voice remains the anchor, cutting clearly through the electronic arrangements.

The sunglasses are an important part of the Allie X image. She has previously spoken about wearing them as a form of protection, saying that she felt her eyes revealed too much. They have also become part of the identity surrounding the name itself. At KOKO, when she eventually takes them off, it feels like a small but deliberate shift in the performance. The contrast between the guarded persona and the more exposed expression underneath adds another layer to the character she presents on stage.

KOKO was the final UK date of Allie X’s Serial Diva Tour. Having opened in Helsinki on 29 September, the 28-date tour has travelled through Scandinavia, mainland Europe, Ireland and the UK. The journey continues in Paris on 31 October, before heading to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, with the final date in Lisbon on 10 November.

What makes Allie X interesting is that the character she presents on stage never feels entirely fixed. There is a knowing sense of humour beneath the cool exterior, and she seems happy to play with the expectations that come with her carefully constructed image. At KOKO, that gave the performance an edge without making it feel cold. She is an artist who understands the value of a strong visual identity, but doesn't need it to do all the work.

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