With the revival of live performances and in-person concerts, students share their experiences at singer Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” tour.

The world’s sudden thrust into a pandemic in March of 2020 also brought along the cancellation of “Where Do We Go?,” international superstar Billie Eilish’s headlining tour for her debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Now, nearly two years later, one of our generation’s most influential pop and style phenomenons began her trek across the globe for the tour of her most recent studio album, Happier Than Ever. 

On Feb 9, tens of thousands of anticipative fans gathered at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. for the fifth stop of the tour. Alongside the other 31 North American dates and 19 European dates, the show in D.C. was sold out, making Eilish’s tour one of the largest and most profitable in the pandemic era thus far. 

Just six nights prior, Eilish had commenced her tour in New Orleans, LA. Willow Smith was slated to perform in the opening leg of the tour, but her abrupt withdrawal led to last-minute replacement, Tkay Maidza, a rising Australian singer, to join the stage. FINNEAS, Eilish’s brother, also joined her in delivering an electrifying show that D.C. fans could not imagine. 

“I was a bit disappointed [about Smith’s cancellation], but the girl who opened instead was still really great, and I got to learn some new songs [because of the cancellation],” said senior Carris Morris, one of many concert goers from Potomac Falls.

Eilish jumped out on stage to “bury a friend,” her hit single from WWAFAWDWG. In addition, her setlist featured many other songs from her debut album such as “my strange addiction,” “ilomilo,” and “when the party’s over.” Songs like “bellyache,” “ocean eyes,” and “idontwanttobeyouanymore” from her debut EP, dont smile at me, were also performed. 

“I’m super glad she played songs from her previous albums because I really enjoy the vibes from the different albums,” said sophomore Carter Hendershot.

Hendershot, who attended the Philadelphia, PA tour date on Feb 13, was eagerly awaiting to see “NDA” performed live. 

“[My favorite song that she performed] was ‘NDA’ because the visuals and the lights were so cool and impressive,” said Hendershot.

Senior Natalie Quisbert was also able to experience the tour in a different city. “[In addition to the D.C. show], I also went to the show in Charlotte, NC on Feb 6,” said Quisbert. “Seeing your favorite artist live makes you so happy, and it lets you connect with the music on a deeper level.” 

Apart from the tour and the release of Happier Than Ever, Eilish has kept busy the past year by co-hosting the Met Gala alongside actor Timothée Chalamet, Olympic tennis player Naomi Osaka, and Presidential Inauguration poet Amanda Gorman. Additionally, she released her self-titled fragrance Eilish, and premiered “Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” her own personal Disney+ concert film.

At the young age of 20, and still just at the cusp of a long career, Eilish keeps fans in awe of how she manages to continuously surmount her successes. In just two years, her concert capacity alone has risen from intimate venues to sold out arenas of colossal proportions. 

“I’ve seen Billie before a couple years ago at The Anthem [on the “Where Do We Go” tour],” said senior Jenna Natour. “The [two tours] were definitely different because The Anthem is so much smaller. She also had a much bigger production in the latest show. It was amazing to see her so close in the past compared to the nose bleeds this time around, but it’s also amazing to see how much she’s grown.”

Her experience at both tours were memorable in their own ways, “the whole atmosphere and production [of this tour] was such a beautiful experience, but both albums are so important to me,” said Natour.

Between the mosaic of colored lights, the intricate visuals behind her, and the large crane she rode to the back of the arena, Eilish’s set, which was described as “visually compelling” by The New York Times, assisted her in providing an unforgettable concert experience to all in attendance.

Natour’s favorite song of the night was “Happier Than Ever,” Eilish’s closing performance.

“”Happier Than Ever” met my expectations and was my favorite song because of how beautiful the beginning was and how powerful the end was,” said Natour. “I was so entranced in the moment and so was everyone else. It was such an amazing feeling and memory.”

Eilish’s ability to cater to a diverse audience is perhaps what makes her such a prime example of what it means to redefine music and fashion for an entire generation.

“I find it so admirable that even as a 20 year old artist, she has the power to bring together people of all ages,” said senior Yana Arora. “She is more than the music she makes, and she is truly an admirable artist to me.”