It’s a warm and sunny day in Los Angeles as June comes to a close and people pour into the Hollywood Bowl, buzzing with excitement mere hours before Louis Tomlinson takes the stage. Fans file in, dressed in merch from previous tours and chatting about the songs they want to hear. With all three acts on the bill hailing from across the pond, the crowd is in for a night of good music that they won’t soon forget.
First to grace the stage is Andrew Cushin, a singer-songwriter from Newcastle. His set was full of heartfelt songs about hardships, his voice full of emotion. He proved that sometimes simplicity is best, his songs backed by just keys and a guitar. One of the highlights of the night was during “Wor Flags” when the crowd raised flags of all kinds to support him, showing that they truly adored him.
Up next are Scottish indie rock band The Snuts. The band is electric, bouncing up and down on the stage as they entertain the crowd. The fans join in on the fun as the lawn fills up. Their frontman, Jack Cochrane, is notably excited to be there as he energizes the Bowl.
Soon, the sun sets and the crowd falls quiet, occasionally cheering as crew members begin to set up the stage. The anticipation is palpable in the cool air. From the first song, once Louis graced the stage, it’s clear that this is where he’s meant to be. His alternative-influenced style translates perfectly to the open-air space as the drums and guitar riffs echo for all of Hollywood to hear. The production is full out for his performance, even including a string section during “Angels Fly” to accompany him. The song included an otherworldly guitar solo, perfectly matching the energy of the crowd. There are also moments where it’s just Louis and a guitar, maintaining the intimacy of some of his more mellow songs.
“Common People” is a highlight, the crowd all coming together to raise the lights of their cellphones to support Tomlinson during an emotional song. At the end of it, he stands and admires the lights before shaking his head in disbelief. Tomlinson is notorious for his humor, introducing the song “High In California” and asking them to “spark [their] joints for this one” and remarking about how it “smells good in here” with a laugh. A fan project makes the night even more special when the entire crowd created a rainbow with their lights during “She Is Beauty We Are World Class.”
By reimagining his song “Back to You” to have a rock influence, he shows that he knows exactly what his style is. He also reworked two One Direction songs much to the crowd’s excitement, showing how versatile he is. By far, the cutest moment of the night was when his son got a shoutout after holding up a homemade sign for his dad.
Louis Tomlinson’s Faith In The Future tour is a testament to his timelessness. He’s able to continue to ride the high of his career while connecting with a brand-new audience. The influence of rock proves to be his bread and butter, and his live band only elevates the performance.
Be sure to catch the rest of Louis Tomlinson’s Faith In The Future tour, and stream the tour’s namesake.
