Fresh off her Governors Ball set, the singer-songwriter talks summer anthems, stage fright, vintage fashion, and why she's learning to enjoy the moment instead of chasing the next milestone.

Few artists wear their hearts on their sleeves quite like Holly Humberstone. Just months after releasing her latest album, Cruel World, the 26-year-old British singer-songwriter brought her new music to the 2026 Governors Ball, a festival she'd dreamed of playing for years. Between strutting down a surprise runway, debuting songs written with festival crowds in mind, and finding confidence in her most vulnerable material, Humberstone is entering a new chapter—one that's equal parts ambitious and grateful.
Before setting back off on her ongoing tour until August, where she'll continue playing in the United States before making her way to London, Spain, Japan, and more, Humberstone sat down with L'OFFICIEL to discuss life on tour, beauty essentials, dream venues, and the joy of connecting with fans in real time.

L'OFFICIEL: What was it like for you to be at Governors Ball and experience that whole festival environment?
HOLLY HUMBERSTONE:&nbsp; Amazing. I've had the worst FOMO for the past two years whenever festival season rolls around, so getting to play a festival again is just the most fun. There's something about the atmosphere backstage that I've really missed—being around other artists, getting to perform on a stage that's much bigger than the ones I'm used to. It feels amazing being back on stage with my band and connecting with people in real time.
Releasing music can feel quite strange because it doesn't really feel tangible until you're standing in front of people who are singing the words back to you. Getting to bring these new songs to life has been so special. It's a summer album, too, so a lot of the songs were written with festivals in mind. It's just so much fun.
L'O: People always talk about the "song of the summer." If you had to pick one from the album, which would it be?
HH:&nbsp;I think it might be "Blue Dream." A lot of the songs have an uplifting feel to them because I wanted to write music that felt like a celebration. For me, songwriting is about turning confusing things that I'm going through into something positive.
"Blue Dream" is about how love can feel quite psychedelic, and it's been really fun to play outside on a stage in the sunshine. It just feels like a summer song.
L'O: Festivals can be chaotic and unpredictable. Was there anything that surprised you during your Governors Ball set?
HH: The stage layout definitely surprised me. You never really know what a stage is going to feel like until you're standing on it. A$AP Rocky was headlining on my day and there was this huge runway that extended into the crowd, which I wasn't expecting at all.
The way the audience was laid out, a lot of the fans who knew the words were further off to one side, so I decided to brave the runway and walk out there. It was kind of scary because I'm not used to stages that size, but I thought, "Why not?" It felt a little vulnerable being away from my band and my mic stand, but it ended up being really fun.

L'O: Can you walk us through your Governors Ball look?
HH: I was originally planning to wear this incredible vintage-inspired Victorian corset that my stylist and I had sourced, but I put it on about half an hour before the show and realized I literally couldn't breathe in it. When you're singing, that's obviously a problem.
Luckily, I had another outfit packed—a two-piece from Aniye Records. It was this really feminine, silky pink look that immediately felt right. A lot of this album has been inspired by my love of ballet, and it reminded me of a tutu or something I would have seen at the ballet when I was younger.
I paired it with little black pointed shoes and this amazing green velvet choker from a vintage seller in the UK called Little Viking Vintage. I love vintage pieces because they feel like they have a story. They've belonged to different people and carry a bit of magic with them.
L'O: What made that outfit feel right for Governors Ball specifically?
HH: I'd actually been saving it because I didn't want to wear all of my favorite looks too early on tour. But Governors Ball is a festival I've wanted to play for such a long time. Growing up in the UK, it was one of those festivals I would see clips of online and dream about playing one day.
When the corset didn't work, I saw the pink outfit in my bag and thought, "This is the moment." It was a beautiful summer day and I just wanted to dress like a fairy.

L'O: Do you have any beauty products that are always in your bag?
HH: Recently I've become really serious about sunscreen. I use La Roche-Posay, and I mix it with Glossier Futuredew so my skin feels really glowy and hydrated.
I've also been loving the Pat McGrath eyeliner pencils. Because I have fair features, I prefer brown liners over black. I use the same pencil for my eyeliner, my brows, and even drawing on freckles and beauty marks so everything feels cohesive.
And then there's blush. I genuinely can't leave a Sephora without buying blush. I probably wear three different blushes at a time. More is more when it comes to blush.
L'O: Were there any artists on this year's lineup that you were especially excited to see?
HH: Absolutely. I love Flowerovlove—I was really sad I missed her set because she played the day before me. Her music is amazing, and her styling is always incredible.
And Geese played right after me on the same stage, so as soon as I finished my set, I ran out to watch them. I'm completely obsessed with them.

L'O: Has there been a song on your setlist that's taken on a new life now that you're performing it live?
HH: Definitely "Beauty Pageant." It's probably the most vulnerable song I've ever written. The arrangement starts very delicately with piano and then builds into something much more theatrical and orchestral.
I wasn't sure how it would translate live because it's so narrative-driven and emotionally exposed. It's also just me and a piano for a large portion of the song, which is terrifying. But audiences have been incredibly receptive to it.
It's become one of my favorite moments in the set because it challenges me every night. It's difficult, it's vulnerable, and it's pushed me outside my comfort zone in a really rewarding way.
L'O: What has it been like introducing these songs to new audiences on tour?
HH: It's been amazing. I spent so much time writing this album and trying to make something I'm genuinely proud of, so getting to bring it to real people is incredibly rewarding.
The beautiful thing about music is that it connects people who might otherwise have completely different lives. Especially now, when the world can feel a bit overwhelming, music becomes this source of comfort and community. Being in a room full of people who understand the same emotions you're trying to express is really special.

L'O: Looking ahead, what goals or ambitions are still on your bucket list?
HH: I have a lot of dreams, but I've also learned that it's important to appreciate what's already happening. If you do something creative for a living, it's easy to keep moving the goalposts and focus only on what's next.
When I think back to myself at 11 years old growing up in the Midlands, I never imagined any of this would be possible. So I try to stay grateful for everything that's already happened.
That said, I'd love to play Red Rocks one day. It's always felt like this mythical place to me. But more than anything, I just want a long, happy career making albums I'm proud of. I want to keep writing honestly about life and continue connecting with people through music.
L'O: Any fun summer plans outside of touring?
HH: I'm really excited to go to Tokyo. My older sister lives there, and getting to visit her is always amazing. The fact that I'll be playing a show there too is kind of mind-blowing.
Otherwise, I've got a pretty packed year of touring. One of my sisters is turning 30, so hopefully we'll do a sisters' trip somewhere warm. But honestly, when I'm not working, I'm happiest just being at home in London, sitting in my garden and doing absolutely nothing. I think having that downtime is really important.

Holly Humberstone Is Living Her Festival Dream

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