Lens has officially kicked off her debut U.S. tour, opening the North American chapter of her career with a weekend that included an appearance at Submersion Festival and a sold-out headline show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
For an artist whose career has taken her from the soundsystem culture surrounding her hometown of Brighton to BBC Radio 1, Boiler Room, and sold-out venues across the UK, her arrival in the United States marks another major step in an already rapid rise. But while the weekend began on a festival stage, it was her Louisiana stop that offered a particularly strong introduction to the American drum and bass community.
The New Orleans show took place at The Crypt, with a heavy drum and bass lineup featuring Boston’s Phantasm alongside Stemmily, Melinda, 360 Degrees, Coastill, and Black Swan. Werd MC kept the energy high on the mic throughout the supporting sets, helping build anticipation for Lens’ arrival. From the moment the doors opened, it was clear that the crowd had come ready.
Stemmily opened the night, and by 9:30 p.m., the dancefloor was already packed. The energy continued building, eventually turning The Crypt into an electric atmosphere by the time Lens took the stage.
The crowd wasn’t simply there to fill a room. They were there for Lens.
That dedication extended well beyond Louisiana. Conversations throughout the night revealed attendees who had traveled from other parts of the United States specifically for the show, as well as fans who had made the trip internationally. For a first U.S. tour date, the turnout was a clear reflection of how far Lens’ reach has already extended beyond the UK.
And when “Danger Zone,” her collaboration with Emily Makis, dropped, the response was immediate. The track, which has surpassed three million streams and received significant BBC Radio 1 support, proved just as powerful in a New Orleans venue as it has on streaming platforms and radio. The room erupted, making it one of the standout moments of the night.
For Lens, the New Orleans show was also an opportunity to experience the city beyond the dancefloor. Stemmily, Coastill, Glassy Eye, and Sylas provided artist hospitality throughout her stay, making sure Lens was treated to some of New Orleans’ finest food and experiences while she was in the city.
“I had the absolute best time in New Orleans.”
That sentiment was matched by the experience surrounding her visit. Lens was easygoing, warm, and genuinely excited to be there, making the experience as enjoyable for the people working behind the scenes as it was for those on the dancefloor.
After more than a decade in the music industry, Lens’ rise has accelerated dramatically in recent years. She gained momentum in 2023 with her remix of Issey Cross’ Top 20 hit “Bittersweet Goodbye,” followed by a viral Shogun Sessions set. In 2024, she continued building her profile with “After Party” featuring LZee, alongside collaborations with Pola & Bryson, goddard., Unglued, and Diagnostix.
Her 2025 breakthrough came with “Danger Zone” alongside Emily Makis, which quickly surpassed three million streams and received extensive BBC Radio 1 support. That year also saw Lens embark on her debut headline UK tour, Moving Mad, selling out venues across the country, alongside career-defining appearances including her BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix and DJ Mag livestream debut.
The momentum continued into 2026 with her Boiler Room debut, which went viral and surpassed one million Instagram views, as well as her own BBC Radio 1 Residency. She has also continued expanding her sound through collaborations with Lady Ice, Shapes, Takura, and Eva Lazarus, alongside her two-track project “Plus / Whole Place Lift.”
Now the U.S. tour continues. Lens’ next stop is Washington, D.C., where she’ll play Flash on October 8th alongside Winslow, Bennit, and Kinetiks MC.
The tour will continue across North America before wrapping up in Atlanta with Jungle Bells in December.
After a sold-out New Orleans debut that brought fans from across the country and beyond into The Crypt, Lens has made one thing clear: the U.S. drum and bass scene was ready for her arrival.
Follow Lens: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6XKxTAwaVZS4dhFj8IxFFz?si=BankVoGFTWGXXIYvuhjRXQ