Louis Tomlinson - How Did We Get Here? Tour - Live Review
Louis Tomlinson’s tour is about fame, grief and him coming to terms with the fact that he’s doing something bigger than he ever expected. Even the name “how did I get here?” Feels like that moment you realise you’ve made it.
Releasing his album of the same name earlier this year, Louis has been solidifying himself as a stellar solo artist. However, many fans are still connecting him to his boyband roots.
Walking around the Co-op live arena, I spotted lots of one direction memorabilia like merch, bags and even costumes. I saw two people dressed as avocados and I was trying to figure out if this is some fan lore that I’m not sure about or if they just did it for the hell of it.
I will note that, yes, I was a directioner (am) and it was (is) pretty hardcore. If you saw me taking a one direction book bag into school, no you didn’t. PLUS, I would regularly refer to myself as a Louis girl. That man single handedly encouraged me and a lot of other girls to eat carrots in the early 2010’s.
However, we’re going to be focusing on him as a solo artist and a live performer. There will be a section later about one direction but I always encourage people to separate artists from external influences so that you can appreciate their talent and hard work.
I’d highly suggest and recommend seeing Louis live whether you were a directioner or not. His music and stage presence come together, plus two amazing supports and great an all round show.
Day of the performance
IN THE BEGINNING
Me and my best friend from high school booked tickets last year sat somewhere in the clouds. The morning of - I woke up with a lightbulb above my head and decided I’m upgrading us to standing for her birthday. (Guys is that giving the same energy as when guys are like “I got her two football tickets for us for her birthday.”?)
I’m not sure if it’s to do with age, but I realised a while ago that standing at the back of the venue is the way to go. You’re not crushed between a bunch of people, you have way more space to dance and you don’t have to worry about losing your place if you need the toilet. You do have to fight for your life if you want to get into the mosh pit though. I wasn’t expecting any mosh pits at Louis so it’s fine.
So already pleased with my genius idea, I looked out the window and I was ready for a jolly “isn’t life amazing” montage because it was SUNNY. If you are British, you know what this means. Happiness, joy, magical fluffy unicorns prancing around.
So, in honour of Louis because I just KNOW that man loves a beer garden - I got myself a pint and sat outside at the co-op live bar. I know I’m making heavy sacrifices there but it’s what he would want.
I’M GOING IN
FIRST WARM UP
After a pint or 3, we headed into the venue just as Alex Spencer came on stage. His songs were lovely and heartfelt. Him being a slower act it was nice that he came on first because he got everyone in their feelings, swaying and crying and telling all their friends they love them.
I got the chance to see and photograph the other artist that Louis is touring with ADMT, at Leeds first direct bank arena.
Both acts were equally good, very similar vibes. ADMT had a couple more upbeat songs that he played at the end of his set to get the crowd going.
One thing I will say is, I love Manchester it’s my hometown but Leeds crowd absolutely outshined us with their energy from the get go. The room was electric with their posters, dancing and screaming before anyone even walked on the stage. Come on Manchester, what’s that about? We can do better.
THE SECOND ACT
Bi panic is putting Louis Tomlinson and Heather Baron Gracie together on the same tour.
There’s a running theme in the fandom that most Louis girls grew up to figure out they’re some form of LGBTQ. I don’t make the rules I just enforce them. Pale waves are abundantly aware of this, regularly joking that they’re enforcing the “lesbian for Louis” movement. I’m not sure if I’d call it a movement or just a group observation?
At both shows, there were more rainbow flags than a pride festival and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It was genuinely beautiful to see how safe and included everyone felt in this space - including the band pale waves.
Made most famous for supporting the 1975 in June 2017 - their 2018 debut album “My Mind Makes Noises” which included hit single “Television romance” created an 80s synth pop sound. In that time, Lead singer Heather has stated that the band felt unrealised and like they needed to find their sound. (Personally I loved their sound, though I do understand critism’s around similar sounding songs. I see it more like “Don’t break what doesn’t need fixing.”)
The three albums they’ve released since have a much darker and mature sound. Lead singer Heather Baron Gracie also came out in 2021, allowing her to create songs that were more openly about women - like “she’s my religion.” A lot of their new songs also have a heavier “rock” sound, though I do think for Louis they opted to pick their more pop sounding songs.
Their live performance felt authentic and connected, dynamic movement and high energy warming the crowd up ready for Louis. Heathers voice was fantastic live and dare I say sounded better than the studio version. The playful energy between the 3 band members made it easy to see how much they enjoyed both each other’s company and being on stage.
Their cover of Zombie by The Cranberries is hard hitting and the room is heartbreakingly silent until the chorus begins - the meaning of the lyrics being as relevant as ever. Thank you Pale Waves, we needed to hear that.
Once they went off the stage, the excitement was strong in the air. We got approached by ladies who were offering bracelets and a couple of girls who gave out paper signs saying “look how far we’ve come.” I was even introduced to a group of three girls that all individually came solo, stood next to each other and found out they all have the same name! How cool is that?
ON COMES LOUIS
The production value of the show must have been so high budget with the amount of confetti and lasers - you can tell he really wanted to make it a great show for everyone.
It opened with laser art of the tour logo before Louis came on stage singing “Lemonade.” Throughout the entire show there were at least two confetti canons and there was no point where there were 3 consecutive songs without a laser show. I even kept mentioning it to my friend because it was amazing to see the work he put into it.
Between songs he would talk about how it felt to be there, performing for so many people. In his eyes, you could see how honestly humble and shocked he was to perform in the arena, comparing it to his first UK tour where he performed at Manchester Apollo.
Slower songs such as “dark to light” “bigger than me” and “Lucid” were tearjerkers that reflected the amount of grief, hard work and determination that Louis and his Fans have been through in the 16 years since he was made famous through the X-Factor.
His energetic and indie songs like “Jump the gun” “Sunflowers” and “Imposter” were absolute bangers. Have you ever been at a show and even the bangers don’t hit because the performer doesn’t have enough stage presence? Well this was ABSOLUTELY NOT the case for these songs. Louis’ energy and performance style made a great show and got the entire crowd jumping. There was even a group of people that led a conga at the back of the room.
By the encore we all wanted more and that’s exactly what he gave us, coming back on performing 3 more songs.
First was “miss you” which set the crowd on fire. I don’t know if this is something everyone feels but some of the best feeling moments aren’t ones that you’re having yourself but it’s looking around and WATCHING everyone having the best time. It’s so beautiful turning behind me and watching two friends scream a song out together and see a crowd of people jumping with genuine joy. Those moments bring back hope and remind us that big thing that Louis is singing about - “it’s bigger than me”
After that, the absolute best thing that could have ever happened, happened. Well it didn’t because the best would be if the other members of the band also came on. Louis went straight into the song “No Control” by One Direction.
I’ve never seen anything like it how wild the crowd went. It was so healing, a group of people that grew up listening to this band finally getting to hear a song they didn’t expect to hear. I know at some shows he’s not been playing it and it’s not officially on his set list so I’m really glad we got it. I looked over at my best friend and just grinned because it’s been 16 years since that moment he came onto the television screens and won our hearts.
When we need to smile we’ll remember the video diaries, old interviews or the “this is us” film that I went to watch in the cinema. One direction made so many core memories for people around the world and it was magical that just for 3 minutes we got to share that together.
Ending the concert with “palaces” (absolute banger) I felt so happy and fulfilled.
It’s well worthwhile going to see Louis in concert and listening to his new music. The atmosphere is so fun and his songs are fantastic. I am so excited to see what Louis does next.
Book tickets to his tour here.