LiSA - LiVE is Smile Always ～15～
Image by Maxine Stacey
Troxy, Limehouse, London
22 September 2026
Review by Maxine Stacey
LiSA has become an international icon and a significant figure in anime and popular culture, with her music featuring in some of the most successful anime series, including My Hero Academia, Sword Art Online, and Demon Slayer. These soundtracks have helped propel her to global stardom, earning her a devoted international audience and the title of “Queen of Anime”. Her LiVE is Smile Always ～15～ tour marked her first headline European tour, celebrating 15 years since the beginning of her solo career.
The celebratory tour brought LiSA and her band, the nYu-MeNs, to European and UK audiences with a setlist spanning her musical career. This offered both new and long-time fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience her music live. The European and UK leg of the tour covered four cities: Milan, Düsseldorf, Paris, and London, where the final show took place. Although the tour featured a limited number of locations, the demand for tickets highlighted LiSA's popularity, with sold-out shows in Paris and Düsseldorf and limited tickets remaining for the Milan and London performances on the night. With LiSA as the sole headline performer, the tour placed her music at its centre, and audiences were happy with a night of full of all her top hits.
At the UK show at Troxy, Limehouse, LiSA's powerhouse vocals filled the venue, accompanied by the glow of LED batons and the voices of fans chanting her name and songs. The performance was high-energy, with acoustic numbers providing some variety and allowing LiSA to demonstrate her versatility as a vocalist and musician. Her vocal range was particularly impressive. Throughout the show, she shifted between different tones, vocal power, and styles with confidence, showcasing the breadth of her talent. In addition to her singing, LiSA also played guitar on stage, adding another dimension to her performance.
The show's design was carefully considered, catering to both standing and seated audiences, both at a distance or closer to the stage. Regardless of their proximity, there was plenty for fans to see, from LiSA's multiple costume changes to the visual content accompanying each track on a screen set behind the stage. Her outfits ranged from punk-grunge-inspired ensembles to a white buckled dress and elaborate, traditionally inspired looks, including a stunning red kimono paired with a bamboo parasol. The band’s stage presence also added to the energy of the night. Guitarists and bassists moved around the stage, while vivid video clips accompanied each song. The visuals included lyrics for the audience to sing along to, creative edits featuring montages from Anime series associated with her music, live feeds from the night itself and music video content. LiSA's interaction with the audience was another highlight. She joined the crowd during the show and brought a fan on stage, creating a memorable moment that surely made one fan's dream come true. The full track list from the London show is provided below.
I would one hundred per cent recommend seeing LiSA and her band, the nYu-MeNs, if you ever have the chance. For those who have discovered LiSA through her anime soundtracks, a live performance offers a wonderful chance to explore more of her music and get to know the artist behind the voice.The LiVE is Smile Always ～15～ tour provided an exciting celebration of LiSA's musical career, combining powerful vocals, stage design, and a connection with her fans. It was a memorable experience for both long-time followers and those discovering more of her work for the first time.
Track List at London show
- best day, best way
- Datte Atashi no Hero (My Hero Academia)
- crossing field (Sword Art Online)
- REALIZE
- oath sign (Fate/Zero opening theme)
- SWEET MAGIC
- DOCTOR
- Akeboshi (Demon Slayer)
- Zankokuna Yoru ni Kagayake
- Homura (Demon Slayer)
- HELLO WORLD
- Black Box
- Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon)
- DECOTORA15
- QUEEN
- ADAMAS (Sword Art Online)
- ReawakeR (Solo Leveling)
- Gurenge (Demon Slayer opening theme)
- Catch the Moment (Sword Art Online)
- Rising Hope (The Irregular at Magic High School)