Iโve racked my brain for a way to describe the experience of a live Billie Eilish concert, but Iโve 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 Billieโs HIT ME HARD AND SOFT TOUR was just that, magical.ย
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 Billieโs career, from fresh tracks like CHIHIRO and LUNCH to nostalgic fan-favorites off her debut album.ย
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, Billieโs 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.ย
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. โCan I ask a favor?โ she said to the crowd, before inviting the entire arena to go completely silent for a special performance of when the partyโs over. Billie described this as one of the only โsitting momentsโ 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 itโs safe to say that I wasnโt the only teary eyed fan in the arena. Billie ended the song with an amused โvery good,โ 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 XCXโs iconic song, Guess. Fit with a brand new music video featuring Billie on a tractor, the song has been a staple of every playlist Iโve made since its august release, and I am surely not alone. Billieโs 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 โBrat green.โ
Every element of the showโthe lighting, the stage setup, and the visual effectsโwas carefully crafted to enhance the emotional highs and lows of Billieโs setlist. bury a friend and Oxytocin pulsed with energy, the dark, haunting visuals complementing the hypnotic beats.And, of course, there was FINNEASโher 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, hereโs the full setlist:
- CHIHIRO
- LUNCH
- NDA
- Therefore I Am
- WILDFLOWER
- when the partyโs 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
- LโAMOUR 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 youโre in NYC and werenโt able to snag tickets to one of Billieโs shows this week, not to worry! In addition to powering the tourโs presale, American Express also teamed up with Billie for an iconic merch popup in NYC this week. As an American Express cardholder, youโll enjoy early access every day from 11am-12pm. And thatโs 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!ย
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 youโre an Amex Card Member, definitely take advantage of that early hour of access to scoop up the best gear before itโs gone.
Hear more about American Express here!ย
