I’ve racked my brain for a way to describe the experience of a live Billie Eilish concert, but I’ve come up short at expressing a way that would truly comprehend the magic of the experience. To put it simply, from start to finish, night one of the New York City leg of Billie’s HIT ME HARD AND SOFT TOUR was just that, magical.
Following an incredible morning at Billie and American Express’ pop-up shop, it was then time to put my merch shop findings to good use in the crowd at the show. The setlist spanned Billie’s career, from fresh tracks like CHIHIRO and LUNCH to nostalgic fan-favorites off her debut album.
Billie is no stranger to inviting fans into the immersive worlds beyond her music, even more so im a live performance. I felt the heat of fire before I even saw the flamethrowers on the stage that billie weaved in and out of during Bury a Friend. For a few songs, Billie’s face was projected on the stage and she even grabbed a camera at one point to show her own POV of the stage and band setup.
But even among the fiery (literally) visuals and effects on stage, my personal favorite moment of the show proves that the eminence of Billie is simply Billie herself. “Can I ask a favor?” she said to the crowd, before inviting the entire arena to go completely silent for a special performance of when the party’s over. Billie described this as one of the only “sitting moments” of the show, as she utilized a loop pedal to live-record her vocals, essentially layering them in real time to create a haunting, ethereal version of the song. I think it’s safe to say that I wasn’t the only teary eyed fan in the arena. Billie ended the song with an amused “very good,” signifying that, like every other show on this tour, the crowd was able to stay silent enough to accomplish the live-mixing. No easy feat for an artist as both adored and exciting to witness as Billie, but the adoration speaks for itself and in some ways, stays silent as well.
This summer, Bille-history was made when she celebrated her feature debut on Charli XCX’s iconic song, Guess. Fit with a brand new music video featuring Billie on a tractor, the song has been a staple of every playlist I’ve made since its august release, and I am surely not alone. Billie’s live performance of the song began with her being literally launched onto the B-stage before the whole arena was turned what is now iconically known as “Brat green.”
Every element of the show—the lighting, the stage setup, and the visual effects—was carefully crafted to enhance the emotional highs and lows of Billie’s setlist. bury a friend and Oxytocin pulsed with energy, the dark, haunting visuals complementing the hypnotic beats.And, of course, there was FINNEAS—her constant collaborator and brother, who joined her for three incredible duets. They delivered acoustic renditions of i love you, What Was I Made For?, and finally, Happier Than Ever, the powerful, soul-baring anthem that closed the night.
The Setlist Recap:
For those who missed the night, here’s the full setlist:
- CHIHIRO
- LUNCH
- NDA
- Therefore I Am
- WILDFLOWER
- when the party’s over (live looped vocals)
- THE DINER
- ilomilo
- bad guy
- THE GREATEST
- i love you (with FINNEAS) (tour debut, acoustic)
- SKINNY
- TV
- bury a friend
- Oxytocin
- Guess (Charli XCX cover)
- everything i wanted
- lovely / idontwannabeyouanymore / ocean eyes
- L’AMOUR DE MA VIE
- What Was I Made For? (with FINNEAS)
- Happier Than Ever (with FINNEAS)
- BIRDS OF A FEATHER (with FINNEAS)
Seeing the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT tour live was an unreal, truly transformative experience made possible by American Express. If you’re in NYC and weren’t able to snag tickets to one of Billie’s shows this week, not to worry! In addition to powering the tour’s presale, American Express also teamed up with Billie for an iconic merch popup in NYC this week. As an American Express cardholder, you’ll enjoy early access every day from 11am-12pm. And that’s not all:
- Dedicated Checkout Line: No more waiting in long lines. As a Card Member, you get your own checkout line for a quicker, smoother experience.
- Exclusive Merch: Card Members can snag an Amex-only item not available to the public. These pieces are designed to show off your Billie love with style.
- Complimentary Gift: A free Billie Eilish poster with every purchase? Yes, please!
The Details
- When: October 16th – 20th (12pm – 4pm daily; Amex Card Members get early access from 11am – 12pm)
- Where: 105 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
- Pro Tips: Show up early to beat the lines and maximize your shopping experience. If you’re an Amex Card Member, definitely take advantage of that early hour of access to scoop up the best gear before it’s gone.
Hear more about American Express here!
