Billie Eilish sharpens her sword live in London

The last few years have seen the seedlings of pop music’s new generation begin to sprout: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo… the list goes on. This Avengers-esque brigade (or, perhaps better likened to Thunderbolts) have each, albeit to varying degrees, incorporated a distinct political point of view in their artistry; for Roan it’s a defiant admiration of the queer community, for Carpenter a more volatile reclamation of female sexuality, and Rodrigo is a fierce advocate of reproductive freedom.

At just twenty three years old, however, Billie Eilish stands as their forerunner. Having been a vocal patron and astute commentator for Gen Z since emerging a now interminable eight years ago, Eilish has always had a symbiotic relationship with the zeitgeist and pushed forward the envelope of pop culture.

2019’s Grammy-winning debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? brought a modern twist to a nostalgic Tumblr-adjacent subculture, thrusting dark, esoteric bedroom pop back into the spotlight. A then-teenager breaking convention to claim their power. 2021’s follow up Happier Than Ever saw Eilish incorporate themes of being sexualised, body shamed, and exploited as central tenors of the album, all while social media spiralled into as-predicted and tired thinkpieces over her appearance and fashion choices.

With Eilish’s last record HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, she nodded to her bisexuality on “LUNCH” and “WILDFLOWER”, and delivered a grim autopsy of fame’s claustrophobic side on “SKINNY” and “THE DINER”. On her current tour, however, that her cultural capital has become fully realised.

For an artist whose music and brand has been couched in such a cool non-chalance, her ability to hold court and have audiences hanging off her every smirk is an enthralling power. It culminates in reams of fans screaming along to her most cutting lyrics, from the dumbfounded commentary on the state of the world in “TV” –“the Internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial / while they’re overturning Roe V Wade” – to the criticism of an abusive and imbalanced relationship in “Your Power” – “you said you thought she was your age / how dare you?”.

Eilish has made extreme efforts to ensure that this tour reflects the image that she wants to embody. A long-time advocate for the climate, she has decked the O2 Arena out with various sustainability drives including her own Overheated graphics and a pop up Eco-Action Village. It gives non-profit organisations their own booths to raise awareness and support around initiatives from plant-based food drives to environmentally conscious fashion. In addition, all of the merchandise sold on-site is made of recycled materials, with no plastic bags on offer, and all food stalls were guaranteed to have vegan options.

It’s also palpable how much care has been put into the live layout itself. She redesigns the expected arena set-up with a gargantuan stage in the middle of the venue and screens that continuously float and refigure. The result is a modern day amphitheater for pop music, and Eilish becomes the gladiator on display, hurtling between all vantage points to allow everyone in attendance a near front row seat.

It also creates the perfect setting to host both the thrashing moshpits of “Therefore I Am” and “Guess” – Charli XCX’s music video emblazoned across the screens aptly in brat green — but also the show’s more intimate, acoustic moments of Eilish playing guitar. Even then she continuously swivels on her stool, allowing every side of the arena their chance to clamour as she turns in their direction.

She commands a haunting full minute’s quiet to be able to breathe new life into fan-favourite, “when the party’s over”, recording her own vocal stack live that loops in the background of the track. Granted it doesn’t quite reach the concert’s heights of the collective euphoria embedded in the bridges of “THE GREATEST” and “Happier Than Ever”, but admittedly it’s one thing to be able to make a room of 20,000 people scream along to your lyrics, and it’s another thing entirely to manage to convince them to be silent.

She also works ample time into her setlist to talk to the crowd, although these prove to be mostly routine checks-in, “you guys are still doing good, right?”. The most powerful address comes as she reflects on times being dark both in her hometown of L.A., but also all around the world right now. “The only thing I’ll say before I keep going is to all of the women in this room, well to everyone but the women specifically: you are safe in here,” she promises.

With such a true melting pot in the crowd, from the now twenty-somethings who have been by her side from the SoundCloud release of “Ocean Eyes”, to an older audience pulled in by the commercial appeal of “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” and Barbie’s “What Was I Made For?”, Eilish has an impact across an unbelievably wide cross-section of people.

Most movingly, however, was seeing the young children doting on Eilish with parents in tow. Whilst she may have never foreseen herself becoming such a clear role model in her craft, it’s proven a position she has picked up the mantle for with charming vigour. It’s no surprise either, she is truly an artist with the courage of her convictions.

Setlist

CHIHIRO
LUNCH
NDA
Therefore I Am
WILDFLOWER
when the party’s over
THE DINER
ilomilo
bad guy
THE GREATEST
Your Power
SKINNY
TV
BITTERSUITE (instrumental)
bury a friend
Oxytocin
Guess
everything i wanted
BLUE
lovely
ocean eyes
L’AMOUR DE MA VIE
What Was I Made For?
Happier Than Ever
BIRDS OF FEATHER