In the midst of selling out four nights at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, Olivia Rodrigo has cemented her status as a pop rockstar, lifting the spirits of thousands of dedicated fans in attendance.
The Knockturnal scored a chance to experience the show and explore The Guts World Tour Bus firsthand in Herald Square before Olivia rocked the stage just a few hours later.
In partnership with American Express, Olivia and the team craft a memorable and one-of-a-kind fan experience. With a singular step onto the bus, fans are immersed in Olivia’s GUTS era. The Guts universe is brought to life for all visitors by featuring photo opportunities such as the beloved crescent moon (like the one Olivia flies on during the concert!) and the confetti star-filled toilet.
Embellished with curated decor, posters, and memorabilia, Olivia’s past costumes from the “SOUR Tour” are displayed for all visiting fans. At the experience, AMEX card members are also given benefits featuring an exclusive Olivia Rodrigo x Amex trading card set, dedicated apparel, and a select city gift with purchase.
Olivia’s show felt like a dedication to the essence of girlhood itself. Rodrigo’s sophomore album, GUTS, reflects on her confessional and vulnerable storytelling, which resonated with millions around the globe and led to a sold-out world tour.
With Rodrigo’s musical growth from her debut record SOUR (2021) to GUTS (2023), the audience at Madison Square Garden was filled with fans of all ages, ranging from children experiencing their very first concert to women in their twenties singing their hearts out in connection to Olivia’s relatable and honest lyricism.
The GUTS Tour embodied the confusing and encapsulated experience of journeying from girlhood to adulthood. In an age of social media trends and societal pressures, Olivia has created a body of work that dances effortlessly in the rhythm of her teenage fans and anyone searching for self-growth and discovery.
Olivia’s performance encourages young women to embrace the intense emotions that accompany growing up. Living through the teen years and experiencing our first heartbreaks, the added pressure of social media, entering the “roaring” twenties, and experimenting with our self-identity.
As Olivia floated amongst the crowd on her crescent moon, I was overwhelmed with the emotions of thousands of women belting out Liv’s lyrics to her heart-wrenching GUTS track “logical”, being surrounded by so many women screaming out one of the most potent bridges on the album itself, as she sang about the feelings and conflicts of toxic relationships.
From the first notes of Olivia’s performance, as she kicks off with the pop-punk anthem “bad idea right?”, it’s evident that she has an undeniable ability to captivate audiences. She effortlessly draws in music lovers of all generations and holds them under her spell. With screams I haven’t heard since a One Direction concert, Olivia electrified MSG.
Telling the audience a story about growing up and bidding farewell to her teenage years, Olivia played her soul-stirring ballad “Teenage Dream.” Bringing audience members in their teens to those in their fifties to tears as video clips of Olivia as a young girl played on the big screen behind her.
Beyond the spectacle, Olivia’s performance resonated with thousands on a deeper level. The show embodied a sense of empowerment for young women.
One of the most poignant and resonant moments of the evening unfolded during Olivia Rodrigo’s performance of “pretty isn’t pretty.” In a TikTok-inspired era marked by ever-shifting trends—from the allure of “clean” and “cottage-core” aesthetics to the enigmatic allure of “coquette” and the gritty charm of the “downtown girl”—the song’s lyrics struck a chord that buzzed through the audience.
In a world where the distinction between “girl pretty” and “boy pretty” is often debated and dissected (What does that even mean?), the raw honesty of Rodrigo’s words provided a cathartic release for many in attendance. As she belted out, “It’s in my phone, it’s in my head, it’s in the boys I bring to bed, It’s all around, it’s all the time, I don’t know why I even try,” there was a palpable sense of recognition and solidarity among the crowd, especially for young women.
Exiting the venue amidst a sea of diverse emotions, I couldn’t help but pause as I caught a snippet of conversation: “That show made me wanna give my mom a hug.” At that moment, and in Carrie Bradshaw fashion, I couldn’t help but wonder how as women, our deepest desire is to feel seen and understood, to navigate the intricate, complex ocean of emotions, flaws, and all.