If 2024 is one thing, it’s the year of Olivia Rodrigo. In the wake of her four sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden, the upcoming second leg of her iconic GUTS world tour, and her sophomore album GUTS well on its way to reaching 3 billion streams on Spotify, it seems like One Direction’s most relatable lyric is now Oh, I love you, I love you, I love, I love, I love Olivia.
As fun as it is to hear your favorite artist through headphones, there’s nothing quite like getting to experience the songs you love live, surrounded by people who love them as much as you do. Last week, New York City was bathed in purple and sparkly stars as GUTS World Tour made its highly anticipated arrival to Manhattan. While floating around Madison Square Garden on a sparkly purple crescent moon, (which was very fitting for Monday’s total eclipse) Olivia declared that New York City is “the best city in the world,” each of the four nights. Her crowd of 20,000 adoring fans could not have agreed more, if their cheers were anything to go by.
GUTS Weekend in NYC was an occasion for the ages, and if you know Olivia, you know that the concert was not the only festivity in the city. Following the success of GUTS Gallery and SOUR Tour’s tour bus experience, Olivia teamed up with American Express once again to bring another immersive fan experience, and this time, the pop-up is going on tour as well! This marks the first time American Express is actually “going on tour” with an artist, and it was just as exciting as it sounds.
The grungey pop rock style that Olivia has adorned during the GUTS Era has been expertly poured into everything that’s come along with it. In a nostalgic nod to the iconic 1990s teenage girl’s bedroom, the GUTS World Tour Bus Experience is a whimsical wonderland surrounded by nostalgia and the unmatched feeling of fan love. From the moment fans step aboard, they are transported to an era defined by pop culture, music icons, and the thrill of adolescence.
The bus does not feel like a bus, a crazy statement to make but a testament to how very Olivia it is. The walls are lined with posters of some of her most coveted moments, and the whole experience is surrounded with things that are close to her heart, including photos of her with friends and family. The decor is a carefully curated blend of aestheticism and interactive elements, meticulously designed to recreate the atmosphere that Olivia sings about on the GUTS tracks. From vintage posters to neon signs, every detail evokes a sense of retro charm and girlhood. Adding to the immersiveness of the experience is a closet filled with authentic SOUR Tour outfits worn by Olivia during her previous era, which feels like a testament to growing up, one of the many key themes of GUTS. Fans have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the costumes that have graced stages around the world as they prepare to witness a whole new set of looks during GUTS World Tour.
The Olivia-style photo ops don’t end there. From posing with a crescent moon reminiscent of the one seen in the live set, to lounging on a star-filled toilet to recreate the tour poster in your own unique way, there’s no shortage of opportunities for fans to strike a pose and share their experiences with fellow Livies. My personal favorite was mirrored acrylic vanity, similar to the one seen at GUTS Gallery back in September.
After fans leave the bus, there’s a whole other experience waiting for them outside. Amex Cardholders can be treated to a special free pack of unique Olivia Rodrigo trading cards, and there’s even exclusiv merchandise just for cardholders as well. And if you pay with an Amex? You’ll enjoy the cutest gifts with your purchase! For those feeling especially crafty, there are craft tables where fans can add their own unique and personalized touches to their merchandise. Whether it’s adding patches to a jacket or customizing a t-shirt, it’s the ideal finishing touch.
It pays to be with Amex just as much as it pays to be an Olivia Rodrigo fan, with all of the exciting things on the horizon for fans! To hear more about the GUTS World Tour Bus and find out how to visit in a city near you, click here!
