This was previously published in our October 2024 issue.
Billie Eilish’s intro to the stage was surrounded by cheers from fans and heavy amounts of special effect lights, as lyrics from Eilish’s song “The Greatest” echoed throughout the venue. An LED cage-like box slowly rose from the stage as it flashed white, and slowly started to distort like TV static. The bass of the background music grew. Suddenly, the cage descended back towards the stage and Eilish appeared on a platform inside, suspended in the air.
Billie Eilish kicked off the “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT-THE TOUR” on Sept. 29, 2024. Tickets for the tour sold out for most arenas in a matter of minutes. The tour is featuring Eilish’s recent album, which is highly acclaimed and certified platinum in the US. Eilish made her way to Philadelphia for her fifth show, on Oct. 5.
She performed many of her hits, such as, “Happier Than Ever,” “bad guy,” “Ocean Eyes,” “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” “when the party’s over,” “lovely,” and “What Was I Made For.” Eilish’s vocal abilities and stage presence did not leave fans disappointed. From her emotional songs “Male Fantasy,” “SKINNY,” and “TV,” to her party-like songs of “Oxytocin,” “Guess featuring billie eilish,” and “NDA.”
Eilish’s performance featured a centered stage instead of the traditional stage on one end, allowing for more seat availability, as well as giving the fans a better view. Additionally, using large 360 degree screens for those further from the stage allowed them to still see her sing.
During Eilish’s tour, she says no to plastic as she stops venues from distributing plastic water bottles, plastic spoons, and other single-use plastic items while encouraging fans to bring reusable bottles, helping to stop environmental waste and promote more ethical standards that may be implemented more at future concerts.
Eilish’s brother and producer, Finneas, has accompanied Eilish on every tour as her bassist and guitarist up until this point. Eilish’s “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” tour is her first without both her brother and her mother by her side, since Finneas is going on his tour for his album “For Cryin’ Out Loud.”
Eilish truly has come a long way, from her first tour at the age of 15. She continuously shows that she’s bound for superstardom, and is proving herself to be one of the greatest performers of our generation.
