Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln, as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
I saw the first Smile movie. I heard the buzz, bought into the hype, and was pleasantly surprised by the new and innovative take on the typical ghost-slash-demon jumping from victim to victim genre (think It Follows). I left the theater feeling content and excited for the franchise’s future.
Iβve racked my brain for a way to describe the experience of a live Billie Eilish concert, but Iβve 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 Billieβs HIT ME HARD AND SOFT TOUR was just that, magical.Β
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 Billieβs career, from fresh tracks like CHIHIRO and LUNCH to nostalgic fan-favorites off her debut album.Β
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, Billieβs 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.Β
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. βCan I ask a favor?β she said to the crowd, before inviting the entire arena to go completely silent for a special performance of when the partyβs over. Billie described this as one of the only βsitting momentsβ 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 itβs safe to say that I wasnβt the only teary eyed fan in the arena. Billie ended the song with an amused βvery good,β 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 XCXβs iconic song, Guess. Fit with a brand new music video featuring Billie on a tractor, the song has been a staple of every playlist Iβve made since its august release, and I am surely not alone. Billieβs 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 βBrat green.β
Every element of the showβthe lighting, the stage setup, and the visual effectsβwas carefully crafted to enhance the emotional highs and lows of Billieβs setlist. bury a friend and Oxytocin pulsed with energy, the dark, haunting visuals complementing the hypnotic beats.And, of course, there was FINNEASβher 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, hereβs the full setlist:
- CHIHIRO
- LUNCH
- NDA
- Therefore I Am
- WILDFLOWER
- when the partyβs 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
- LβAMOUR 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 youβre in NYC and werenβt able to snag tickets to one of Billieβs shows this week, not to worry! In addition to powering the tourβs presale, American Express also teamed up with Billie for an iconic merch popup in NYC this week. As an American Express cardholder, youβll enjoy early access every day from 11am-12pm. And thatβs 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!Β
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 youβre an Amex Card Member, definitely take advantage of that early hour of access to scoop up the best gear before itβs gone.
Hear more about American Express here!Β
Saoirse Ronanβs filmography exudes a stunning range.
Future films of any stripe will be hard-pressed to surpass the ambition and ostentation of Emilia Perez.
With the immense success of Netflix’s international hit show Squid GameΒ and the following popularity of the live-action game show Squid Game: The Challenge, I was eagerly anticipating an interactive exhibit or museum to commemorate the cultural hit that the franchise had become.
Do we as humans have the ability to forgive and move on? Or is it something more complex? Titus Kapharβs latest film, “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” stands out as a poignant exploration surrounding the idea of forgiveness, identity, and the transformative power of compassion. Kaphar, a renowned painter and filmmaker, delves into themes such as generational trauma, grace, and forgiveness that resonate deeply with audiences, pushing the boundaries of traditional narrative and visual art.
Amy Adams takes parenting to a whole new level in this dark comedy/horror, guiding viewers through a wild metaphor for a maternal crisis.
Capturing the essence of a delicious scoop of ice cream with each sip of whisky
Even though superstar Billie Eilish is an LA native, this week, New York is all about her. Ahead of three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden and a sure-to-be show-stopping Saturday Night Live performance, Billie is ready to give fans an even closer look at the immersive world within her latest album, with the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT Merch Pop-Up, presented by American Express.Β
Fans know very well that Billie doesnβt just release an album; she builds a narrative world around it. From the haunting, dreamlike quality of her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, to the introspective, deeply personal vibes of Happier Than Ever, her eras are like chapters in her own creative story. Each one has a distinct tone, look, and feeling that fans are invited to explore. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is no exception. Billieβs latest era encapsulates the push and pull of extremes in her life. From the albumβs title to its sonic landscape, she leans into a mix of vulnerability, softness and intensity. The album is a balance between those tender, emotional moments and the harder, bolder edges of her music.Β
In the same way that Billieβs albums never stop at just sound, this pop-up doesnβt either. Think limited-edition clothing, accessories, and exclusive Billie-branded gear that you wonβt find anywhere else. Much of the merch is exclusively branded with NYC touches, ensuring that fans have the perfect outfit for the NYC leg of the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT tour. The collection is designed to mirror the contrasts in Billieβs music, so expect pieces that range from bold and edgy to soft and understated. Fans will be able to grab the hottest new drops that align with the aesthetics of her βHIT ME HARD AND SOFTβ tour and album. If youβre a collector, donβt sleep on these one-time-only piecesβtheyβre bound to sell out fast.
Of course, no pop-up is complete without photo ops. American Express and Billie have teamed up to create interactive spaces where you can live out your best Eilish-inspired photo moments. Recreate the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT album cover, experience a super cute photobooth, and even open up a door to reveal a height-accurate visual of Billie herself.
Weβre always telling you why it pays to be #WithAmex! As an American Express cardholder, youβll enjoy early access every day from 11am-12pm. And thatβs 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 youβre an Amex Card Member, definitely take advantage of that early hour of access to scoop up the best gear before itβs gone.
Hear more about American Express here!