REVIEW: Billie Eilish Electrifies Omaha
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY AUDREY HERTEL ☆
Photos By Henry Hwu
EVERY GENERATION HAS AN ARTIST THAT SOUNDTRACKS IT – someone whose music resonates with what they’re going through and whose discographies their fans cry to or sing at the top of their lungs. On Sunday night in Omaha, it was clear that for many, that artist is Billie Eilish.
Fresh off the release of her latest album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Eilish hit the road for her tour of the same name.
The buzzing energy in Omaha’s CHI Health Center was palpable – underscored by the sold-out crowd roaring with anticipation for the singer-songwriter every few minutes. When the arena went dark, a glowing box of LED screens lifted in the middle of the stage. The lights flickered, eventually revealing Eilish standing atop the illuminated platform. She paused for a moment as thunderous cheers engulfed the arena right before launching into “CHIHIRO” – a song from her most recent record. The box descended, lowering the singer to the stage in the center of the arena – a placement that made it look as though Eilish and her band were floating in a sea of fans. Together, the singer and her bandmates curated an energetic atmosphere for “LUNCH,” “NDA” and “Therefore I am.”
Eilish brought a fierceness to the stage, captivating the audience regardless of their proximity to her. She showcased a strong bond with her fans – a connection that was most evident during “When the Party’s Over.” A stillness took over the arena as Eilish silenced the crowd to layer vocal harmonies for the emotive track’s intro. A series of ‘I love yous’ from audience members eventually broke the silence and prompted the rest of the crowd to sing the song with her.
Eilish’s set featured popular hits from her 2019 breakthrough When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go? like “Bad Guy” and “Bury a Friend.” She seamlessly blended them with songs from her last two albums and newer releases like “Guess,” the collaboration Eilish released with Charli xcx this summer.
The singer displayed remarkable musicianship in addition to her ethereal vocals, as she played an acoustic guitar during “Your Power” and “TV,” and took to the piano for songs like “Lovely” and “Ocean Eyes.”
She capped her magnetic performance by sporting an electric guitar for the big crescendo in “Happier than Ever,” and concluded with a heartening rendition of “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.” As the song echoed through the venue, confetti rained down from the ceiling. Fans eagerly gathered handfuls to take home as a keepsake – a reminder of how important that night was to them. This moment reinforced the idea that to Eilish’s fans, she’s more than just a musician – she’s the voice of their generation.
