If you are a true music fanatic – not someone who just has it on in the background and doesn’t know who sings what songs, but the kind who tries to decipher lyrics and needs to know everything about the artists who sings your new favorite song — you know arguably the greatest feeling as a music fanatic is discovery.
Finding a new favorite artist and then seeing that artist in concert is one of the most powerful feelings in the world, because you approach that show with excitement, some nerves as you wonder if it can live up to your expectations, and then when it does it feels like finding a friend for life because you know you will follow their career as long as you can.
Studies and anecdotal tales I have heard talking to the greatest musicians in the world shows that the music you discover in those formative years of 13 – 17 is the music that you will hold closest to you throughout your entire life. The first time I saw Bruce Springsteen I was 15 and it changed my f**king life. That began a lifelong fandom that has involved seeing him live over 60 times with my dad and countless different friends and partners over the years in numerous cities.
The first time I saw and wrote about Billie Eilish was seven years ago this week, when she played at L.A.’s Fonda and sold out three nights. At the time I wrote about the excitement of her fans, many of whom were seeing a show for the first time. Though she loved the review and shared it on her Instagram, still a huge compliment, at that point I had seen more than 4000 shows. I don’t care how good a writer you are; you can’t recapture that life-changing fervor of being 15 years old and what that feeling means, how exciting it is and why that discovery is so profound.
Only a 15-year-old can channel that unbridled enthusiasm. So, in the interest of sharing that joy and reminding people why music discovery is both essential to keep both artists and fans invested and passionate and ultimately sustain the ecosystem I sent 15-year-old Natalie Segil to see the final show of Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard And Soft” tour this past weekend in San Francisco.
She then reported back to me this week. This was her beyond excited recap of being 15 years old and seeing Eilish for the first time.
“From the moment my neighbor played ‘Bad Guy’ in the car the day it dropped, I’ve been a huge Billie Eilish fan. I’ve spent years listening to her music. So finally seeing her live, in San Francisco, at the very last show of the ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ tour, felt unreal. It was the 106th show of the tour, and honestly, it felt like the perfect ending.
Right from the start, the energy was unreal. Billie opened the show inside a box that slowly lifted into the air, surrounded by lights and lasers. Everyone started screaming and in that moment, I finally understood what she means to so many people. She isn’t just a performer, she’s a voice, a role model, someone people feel connected to and look up to. Billie told us this wouldn’t be a ‘regular’ show and that she would be talking more than usual. She wanted us to give her everything we had, and the crowd definitely did.
One of the most memorable moments came during her performance of ‘when the party’s over.’ Billie asked for total silence so she could record her vocals live and make a loop. The arena became so quiet that you could hear the air conditioner! It showed how much respect her fans have for her.
Billie also opened up about how she used to dread touring and often felt lonely, but now she enjoys it and loves being able to see all of her fans. However, she was still nervous because this was her first tour without her brother, Finneas, and she admitted she had been nervous. Hearing her talk so honestly is part of what makes her so relatable and easy to connect to, especially for teenage girls like me.
For the surprise song, she performed ‘TV’ (One of my favorite songs) In the middle of it, the entire arena shouted the lyrics ‘While they’re overturning Roe v. Wade,’ creating one of the most powerful moments of the night. It showed how Billie’s music brings people together, especially around important issues. As she’s known for speaking out about political, social, and climate topics, and she backs it up by using sustainable merch, offering free water refill stations, and even partnering with Google Maps to help fans find eco-friendly routes to the venue. This was all discussed in a video she projected for everyone to watch before her performance.
Then the biggest surprise happened, Finneas came out onstage. They performed ‘Ocean Eyes’ (My favorite song and her first song) and ‘idontwannabeyouanymore,’ and hearing ‘Bad Guy’ live later in the show brought back so much nostalgia and was truly a full circle moment.
Before ending the concert, Billie announced she’s releasing a film about the tour (co-directed by James Cameron) and shared the date it will come out. March 20th. She even showed us the trailer!
Overall, the concert was exciting, emotional, and full of surprises. It was everything I hoped for as a longtime fan and the perfect ending to the tour. A night I’ll never forget.”
I saw Eilish for the first time seven years ago at a venue that holds approximately 1200 people. Then I saw her at the Shrine with 6000 or so fans, then the Forum with 18,000, and somewhere in between those in a Sirius XM gig at the Troubadour. So, seeing her for the first time early on I got to watch her musical rise and grow with her musically, as I have numerous bands, like Olivia Dean who I interviewed a few years ago and saw at the Roxy.
That is the beauty of supporting artists early. Go to clubs, see small shows, be a fan. The next time you see that band they might be playing to 20,000 instead of 20.