The London singer-songwriter girli is already turning into a road-warrior at age 28.
Her new album, It’s Just My Opinion, is filled with romantic songs and punky, queer ballads that elevate self-love, strength in community, and survival — all of which fans simply cannot get enough, whether they're in ear buds or concert halls. And Milly Toomey gets the connection. She sees it up close when fans "get real" with her about how much her lyrics connect to their own experience.
It's that close encounter of truth that Milly craves when she goes on the road, even if it's hard to keep the voice, body, and mind all in one place when you're globe-trotting for months on end. It grounds her, but it's also work. I wanted to ask Milly about this moment, and was so happy she was willing to sit down and answer my questions.
Here's our conversation. Follow girl on Bandsintown and catch her live on tour in 2026.
Hypebot: Hey Milly, congrats on It’s Just My Opinion! The single “Romantic Sadness” is amazing. Can you tell us a bit about the story behind that song?
Milly: "Hi! Thanku! I was talking to my younger sister about how heartbreak feels and she came out with the most poetic line: 'it’s hard when you can’t romanticize sadness anymore.' I knew I had to put it in a song."
H: I love the idea of “romanticizing sadness” as a coping mechanism. But I also dig how you turn that around in this empowering way of looking inward rather than waiting for outside stimuli to change our perspective. I know this song was inspired by your sister but does experience from your romantic life tend to seep into your songs?
M: "Oh absolutely! Every other song that’s about love or relationships on It’s Just My Opinion is about my own experiences. 'Lifestyle,' for example, is about a comphet ex-girlfriend of mine and the pain that came with navigating that."
H: When did music become an important means of communication for you?
M: "When I was a teenager, listening to music and going to gigs became a saving grace for me during a difficult period of mental illness and bullying at school. It was then that I started writing my own songs too."
"I had to learn the hard way that my throat is a muscle, so like any muscle in the body it needs rest, recovery, warming up, cooling down, proper form to work best."
H: I feel like a lot of your songs are about romance and relationships. Do you think the live environment helps build the connection with your fans on a deeper level because of that intimate subject matter?
M: "100%! My shows are like a chaotic confessional with your bestie. I love being vulnerable and real with my fans like that, and it’s so beautiful how they’re like that with me too."
A lot of my fans share their personal stories of how they relate to the songs in my comments, over DM or in person at shows and meet & greets."
H: How do you approach bringing your songs into a live context. Do you have to make adjustments to the way they're played?
M: "Translating the songs into live actually feels so creatively freeing – I love collaborating with my touring band because they are such talented musicians and it brings the songs to life in new ways!"
H: Are there songs from either this or past records that trip you up playing live?
M: "There’s some that feel difficult to perform because I don’t feel as connected to them anymore, but I also want to play songs that I know the fans love. Some songs have lyrics like 'I’m 17' in them and I’m singing them now like 'but I’m 28!'"
H: Is touring hard on the body for you? What do you usually do to keep in shape or stay healthy?
M: "I’m the opposite of a rock star when it comes to tour – I am all about taking care of my body. Yoga and stretches and nature walks when I can, healthy eating every day, ginger shots before showtime, no alcohol. My body is a temple and touring at this level is definitely testing!"
Because I’m not just doing shows, I’m also helping to carry gear, I’m sitting in a van for long drives, I’m going to bed late and I’m waking up early – it’s a lot, but I love it."
H: And for the voice, do you have to take steps to preserve your voice over the course of a length run of shows?
M: "I used to have a lot of problems with my voice; when I started singing regularly I didn’t have any technique and I damaged my vocal chords quite badly. I had to relearn how to sing with the help of a vocal coach and it caused me a lot of anxiety at one point in my career. That vocal coach set me up with some rituals, warm ups and techniques that I never skip, so these days, my voice is fine on tour!"
I had to learn the hard way that my throat is a muscle, so like any muscle in the body it needs rest, recovery, warming up, cooling down, proper form to work best."
"To play in the USA at a time where the LGBTQ+ community are being targeted more than ever before, and have the chance to create a space for the community to rage and release, feels poignant."
H: What do you like to do on your days off on tour?
M: "I’m a huge nature lover so I always try and find a hike or a wild swim to do on a day off. If there aren’t any available, I’ll find a yoga class and a neighbourhood some good thrift stores and vegan food and matcha and have a wander."
H: Is this your biggest USA tour so far? And what are you most looking forward to this time?
M: "It is actually! I’m really excited to play in states I haven’t visited before, like the Pride shows I’m doing in Georgia and Kentucky. Also to play in the USA at a time where the LGBTQ+ community are being targeted more than ever before, and have the chance to create a space for the community to rage and release, feels poignant."
H: Is there anything you can do to get the audience to pipe up and sing more with you?
M: "I never need to – girli fans are always hype!"
H: As a fan, who are some artists you’ve seen play live recently that have blown you away?
M: "Peaches, MUNA, Dirt Flirt, Ellie Dixon!"
H: What’s your favorite post-concert food to eat?
M: "Vegan Greek Gyros. YUM!"
H: That's the best way to veg out I guess!
girli 2026 Tour Dates
JUN 11 — Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right
JUN 12 — Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
JUN 13 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
JUN 14 — Washington, DC @ The Atlantis
JUN 16 — Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
JUN 17 — Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
JUN 18 — Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
JUN 19 — Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI
JUN 21 — Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
JUN 24 — Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room Highland Park
JUN 30 — Seattle, WA @ Baba Yaga
JUL 01 — Portland, OR @ Holocene
AUG 16 — Brechin, United Kingdom @ Summer End Angus 2026
OCT 06 — Hamburg, Germany @ Headcrash
OCT 07 — Berlin, Germany @ Säälchen
OCT 09 — Istanbul, Turkey @ Zorlu PSM
OCT 12 — Warszawa, Poland @ Klub Hydrozagadka
OCT 13 — Kraków, Poland @ Klub Zaścianek
OCT 15 — Vienna, Austria @ Flex
OCT 16 — Prague, Czechia @ Distrikt
OCT 18 — Köln, Germany @ Luxor
OCT 19 — Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli Vredenburg
OCT 20 — Paris, France @ Badaboum
OCT 28 — Bristol, United Kingdom @ Strange Brew
OCT 29 — Brighton, United Kingdom @ Club Revenge
NOV 01 — London, United Kingdom @ Village Underground
NOV 02 — Manchester, United Kingdom @ Band on the Wall
NOV 03 — Leeds, United Kingdom @ The Wardrobe
NOV 05 — Glasgow, United Kingdom @ The Garage
