Christy Johnson
In the first of two sold-out shows at Xcel Energy Center, Billie Eilish spent the evening of Nov. 10 delivering an experience that felt both hugely intense and intimately personal, which was exactly what fans were expecting from this “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour.
The artist has made a name for herself by unapologetically sharing her raw authenticity as much as her unique sound, and both were on full display at the X.
A large, rectangular stage sat in the center of the floor, and both the night’s opener, Towa Bird, and Eilish used the entire surface to reach as many fans as possible.
Singer-songwriter Bird started the night by showcasing her high-energy style and guitar prowess. Her curly hair bounced as she ran around the huge surface in her bright red pants and white t-shirt with the word “SEX” stenciled across the front.
Bird brings a world of culture and experience to her music. Born in Hong Kong to British and Filipino parents, she grew up in Thailand and the United Kingdom, and now lives in L.A. The 25-year-old has created a sound that could be described as a blend of ‘70s classic rock and ‘90s Brit pop, with some feminism, Gen Z angst, and queerness sprinkled in.
Bird’s star has been rising rapidly since 2021 when fellow singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo discovered her on social media and invited her to play on Rodrigo’s Disney+ documentary, driving home 2 u, the following year.
She played most of the songs from her debut album, American Hero, on Sunday. Highlights were “B.I.L.L.S.,” the anti-capitalism-themed single; “Sorry Sorry,” which she told the crowd was about falling in love with a friend; and a rousing cover of Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl.”
Bird’s high energy, colorful performance had the crowd buzzing, and was the perfect set-up for Eilish.
But the headliner’s arrival wouldn’t come without a wait. A 45-minute break between sets saw the crowd getting a bit restless as they eagerly anticipated their idol’s appearance. But any annoyance was quickly forgiven the instant the L.A. native finally emerged, and the arena buzzed with raucous, deafening cheers.
Eilish, dressed in her signature quirky style, sported a backward Yankees hat, an oversized jersey and shorts, high-top sneakers, and mismatched socks layered over black, knee-high nylons.
The 22-year-old, who gained global attention in 2015 at just 13, played a 2-hour, 30-minute set that covered 24 tracks, a few of which were shortened or made into a patchwork of songs.
She opened with “CHIHIRO” and “LUNCH,” both from her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, before moving into “NDA” and “Therefore I Am,” which are on the 2021 record Happier Than Ever.
Eilish did an exceptional job alternating between groups of songs that were upbeat and those that were brooding and exposed.
One of the singer’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to be vulnerable. This was evident particularly in the middle of the event when she and her two backup singers, Ava Horner and Jane Dillon Horner, sat on stools at center stage. Eilish began with an introduction.
“Everyone please make some noise for my friends Ava and Jane. So, Ava was my best friend in middle school, and then we didn’t speak for, like, five years,” Eilish said with a laugh, and when a few playful boos sprung from the audience, she laughed harder and agreed by booing and turning both thumbs down. “For no real reason,” she continued. “That’s just how things go sometimes.
“We came back into each other’s lives a couple years ago, and then [I also became friends with] Jane, [Ava’s] older sister. And now we’re all best buddies.
“They’ve always been such incredible singers and we’ve always, since the beginning of our friendship, just sung together, for fun. And it’s been so beautiful and brought me so much joy, so I thought I would bring them on tour. This is their first time ever being on a stage like this or a tour like this.
“So anyway, now I’m gonna play a song about abuse. Uhh, yeah,” she Eilish said with a laugh followed by a snort.
“I’m not even really gonna talk about it. You know the lyrics, and you know the song. It’s just been a really tough week, and I think we all know why,” she said to extensive cheers.
“If you’ve ever been, you know, taken advantage of, or anything in that world, I am with you and I feel you and I hear you, and I would hope that the person who did that to you wouldn’t become president, but sometimes…” she trailed off with an audible sigh. “Anyway, this song goes out to you. I love you.”
The emotional tone of “Your Power” was followed by the haunting songs “SKINNY” and “TV,” the latter of which had the crowd screaming along when it came time for the lyrics, “The internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial, while they’re overturning Roe v. Wade.”
The “raw” turned to “rave” then as Eilish dove into electrifying versions of “bury a friend” and “Oxytocin.” The stage, which at times doubled as an enormous screen, displayed graphics that matched the music, and bouncing laser lights and bursting flames added to the vibe.
Eilish’s down-to-earth personality shone through both while performing and in the moments between songs.
“Well how ya doin’, St. Paul?” she asked halfway through the set. “I’ve been loving this vibe tonight. Thank you guys for having this vibe.”
She also expressed her gratitude for Bird; her parents; older brother and frequent collaborator, Finneas (neither of whom were in attendance); the venue, and, of course, her fans.
“I just wanna say thank you to you,” she said. “Thank you for always showing up and being there for me and supporting me no matter what. I love you so deeply, and I just want you all to know that I will always stand up for you and I will always fight for you and I will [be your voice] when you feel like you don’t have a voice. I know you’ll do the same for me. … I love you all so much.”
She then perfectly capped the evening off with “What Was I Made For?,” her Academy Award–winning track from the Barbie movie, “Happier Than Ever,” and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.”
Setlist
CHIHIRO
LUNCH
NDA (shortened)
Therefore I Am
WILDFLOWER
when the party’s over
THE DINER
ilomilo
bad guy
THE GREATEST
Your Power
SKINNY
TV
BITTERSUITE (interlude)
bury a friend
Oxytocin
Guess (Charli xcx cover)
everything i wanted
BLUE
lovely / idontwannabeyouanymore / ocean eyes
L’AMOUR DE MA VIE
What Was I Made For?
Happier Than Ever
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
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