The singer-songwriter graced Toronto with an unforgettable experience for two nights
By Bambi Nyembo
I had the pleasure of witnessing Billie Eilish’s long-awaited Toronto show for her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” 2024 stadium tour on Oct. 1 in support of her third studio album of the same name. Evident by the roaring crowd, it was clear people had been anticipating Eilish’s well-overdue stop in our city after her planned Toronto shows for the previous “Happier Than Ever, The World Tour,” in 2022, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic regulations in Canada. And spoiler alert — Ellish made sure we knew she missed us just as much as we missed her at Scotiabank Arena.
Openers Nat and Alex Wolff kick off the show with loads of energy, playing some of their classic hits like “Rollin’ Around,” “Glue” and “Lucky You.” As the duo jump around and shred their killer guitar solos, they unveil a new song produced by none other than Billie Eilish. The song, called “Soft Kissing Hour,” is a beautiful acoustic ballad with enchanting chords that will make a perfect addition to anyone’s In The Mood playlist. Released officially on Oct. 11, the song is an extension of Natt and Alex’s highly charming yet eclectic energies which come to the surface throughout their entire discography.
As the brothers closed, a video message narrated by Eilish filled the jumbotron as the stage crew began to prepare her set. Utilizing her ever-popular “My Future” soundtrack and aesthetic, Eilish pledges the Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to be a climate and environmentally-friendly tour. Partnering with REVERB, this initiative is reflected in her merchandise made from recycled materials and plant-based options available on-site, giving back to local communities. Eilish also emphasized the importance of making it to the polls for the next US presidential election to newly eligible young voters, underlining that the new generation is in control of their future and, ultimately, our planet’s future.
Finally, it was time, as the blackout prefacing Billie Eilish’s presence eclipses the stadium. The arena shakes with an impactful bass, rattling our feet and our hearts. The singer opens with a rock interpolation of “THE GREATEST,” descending from a screen-projected cage as flashing visuals and lasers beam through the entire arena. Beloved songs from her newest album such as “CHIHIRO,” “LUNCH” and “THE DINER” echo through the stadium. Concertgoers proceed to light up each section with multicoloured paper during her “WILDFLOWER” performance. In a fan project coordinated by TikTok account “welcomebackbillie,” a rainbow illuminates the venue for Eilish’s very-queer hit. Ellish lets us in on her collaborative process, performing her acclaimed song “When The Party’s Over.” Requesting complete silence, Eilish utilizes a loop to stack her opening vocals, exhibiting the dimensions of her production. She continues her set with hype-infused tracks “Oxytocin,” “You Should See Me In A Crown” and her latest feature in Charli xcx’s “Guess.”
Eilish, now, takes on a more intimate beat, sitting in front of a piano, playing the classics we fell in love with back when she first emerged in the music scene, including “Lovely,” “Idontwantobeyouanymore” and “Ocean Eyes.” She shows off her musical dexterity by encouraging the audience to sing with her. As the set’s coming to a close, Eilish sits in the middle of the stage to perform her Oscar-winning original song “What Was I Made For?” In a moving display, fans again irradiate the arena, this time with hues of pink, paying tribute to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, the film Eilish scored for.
For her grand number, Eilish picks up a blue electric guitar to sing her rock showstopper “Happier Than Ever.” Headbanging and jumping while fire spawns from the stage, Eilish executes a rockstar performance and is brought to her knees during the song’s guitar solo. She concludes the show with the viral love song “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” as video footage of Eilish frolicking in a field of flowers is projected on-screen. Just as the video depicts her taking the bows out of her hair, the outro to “BLUE” commences and the stage fills with blue lighting. We can’t help but yell for an encore!
Billie Eilish’s Toronto show was nothing short of an exhilarating spectacle, blending emotional depth with invigorating rock and poignant messages. From her environmental activism to encouraging young voters to participate in the upcoming election, Ellish proves once again that her artistry transcends music and has become a movement. From showcasing her vocal prowess and production techniques to shredding an electric guitar, she gave the audience many moments to cherish, both hard and soft.
As concert-goers left the arena, we were reminded of the power of music to unite, inspire and call for change. Billie Eilish’s artistry serves as a reminder to fuel your passion — stay engaged, push boundaries and allow your art to reflect the future you want to create.
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