Billie Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour in NYC: 8 Best Moments

From Ed Sheeran's famous loop pedal to Ariana Grande's Mi.Mu gloves – thanks to OG Imogen Heap's live vocal layering – recording and layering vocals live isn't necessarily a new trick for pop shows. But few artists make the process feel as immersive and intimate as Billie Eilish.

Before beginning the process, she kindly asked the crowd to remain completely silent just for one song, emphasizing that she wanted to hear them scream as loudly as possible and “do what they do best” after the song ended was the end. She then sat down in the middle of the stage – which was completely bathed in white light – and began recording the basic vocals of the intro to “When the Party's Over,” her No. 29 hit on the Hot 100. How through Miraculously, New York was able to remain (almost) completely silent for the duration of the live stacking moment, showcasing both Billie's flair for harmony and her ability to literally captivate a sold-out arena with just her voice.

Before the show's first ballad section, Billie joked that some sections – particularly the suites on the 100 level – “really like sitting.” But she allowed it to happen and made the audience feel comfortable as she introduced her backup singers.

Billie introduced Ava and Jane Horner not only as her backup singers, but also as her close “middle school” friends with whom she had sung for fun for years. The chemistry of their voices was palpable during their beautiful, haunting renditions of “Male Fantasy,” “Skinny,” and “TV.” The sisters' slightly stronger tones complemented Billie's whispery delivery beautifully, while the band skillfully played the upbeat arrangement of each song. Bi

Llie is undoubtedly a larger-than-life character, but this was one of several moments in the series where any claim to fame seemed to disappear; MSG was simply Billie's bedroom and we were there to enjoy a low-key jam session with friends.

On the Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, every seat was a good seat. Why? Billie chose a 360° stage design, placing the main stage in the middle of the arena rather than at one end of the venue. Not only did this make for a less obstructive viewing experience than usual, but it also fostered a special fan experience – as you could see entire sections overcome with emotion as Billie walked to her side of the stage.

The band was split into two stage pits so they were both visible and couldn't get in Billie's way as she sprinted across the stage. For the quieter moments of the show, certain band members came on stage with acoustic guitars – to temper the innate grandiosity of an arena show, at least for a moment. On the other hand, Billie's pyro and lighting design were absolutely gorgeous – and smart additions to a show that doesn't have much to offer on the stage itself. Between the lasers tuned to various beat drops, the animated projections that contoured the mobile structure at the center of the stage, and the swinging platform that served as home to a winning rendition of “The Greatest,” Billie delivered a visual feast, which added even more to the aesthetic of the show without completely overpowering her presence.

One fear fans have with certain stage sets is that the artist spends most of their time during the actual show. To her credit, Billie was very conscious of how much time she spent in different areas of the show, so the short sides of the rectangular stage served as different stations for ballads while she circled the entire stage at faster moments. Of course, in addition to the main stage, there was also an elevated B stage where she could live out her own life brat Moment.

When Billie guested on Charli An undeniable dance-pop banger, “Guess” was a standout moment during Billie’s set, particularly because she contextualized it with the rest of her catalog.

At first glance, “Guess” is a world away from the sound that Billie usually dwells in, but when it comes to brooding, industrial synth-pop hits like “Bury a Friend,” “Oxytocin” and “You Should See Me in a Crown,” it feels like a natural extension of the sounds she played with on her debut LP, which reached the Billboard 200. With illuminated B stage in a bratWith a nodding shade of green and an absolutely wild audience as the first second of the song passed (they also reacted wildly when Charli's “360” came on before Billie took the stage), “Guess” was easily one of the most memorable moments of the show .

Many Billie fans first encountered the supernatural talent through “Ocean Eyes,” a lush, dark ballad that peaked at No. 84 on the Hot 100 in 2019.

In the back half of the show, Billie stood in front of a keyboard and sang “Ocean Eyes” and “I Don't Wanna Be You Anymore,” two tracks from her debut EP that immediately transported the audience back to the beginning of her career. These two songs felt like we were in Billie and FINNEAS' childhood home, watching them create a work of art that would change both of their lives forever – while charting a new path for pop music. Few could have predicted (at least with absolute certainty) where Billie would end up six years after “Ocean Eyes,” so it was a beautiful moment to see her still have so much love and reverence for this song.

Billie not only combined her voice live, but also played multiple instruments throughout the show. She played keyboards for “Ocean Eyes” and “I Don't Wanna Be You Anymore,” pulled out her acoustic guitar for “Male Fantasy” and “TV,” and shredded an electric guitar for “Happier Than Ever,” the penultimate song the set list.

From writing to acting, the world has become familiar with Billie's countless talents for years – but seeing her showcase most of them in one setting never gets old.

Before performing a moving rendition of her Oscar-winning “What Was I Made For,” Billie gave a routine acceptance speech that ended with her thanking every parent in the room, including her own. It was a moment that really showcased Billie's talent for world-building.

Her two-time Grammy winner Barbie The title means a lot to hundreds of thousands of people for a variety of reasons – the song's emotional placement in the billion-dollar film, its message of finding meaning in life, and the calm, resilient note on which it ends. As soon as the first piano keys began to flash, the arena was illuminated by telephone lights and all the young girls in the audience immediately stood up and tugged at their parents' sleeves in excitement. It's not often that an artist can see the impact of a single song on this scale in real time, and the moment touched Billie deeply, her voice taking a few cracks as she struggled to contain her emotions for the duration of the song to maintain control.

FINNEAS has been an important part of Billie's creative process and stage show for years, so it was no real surprise when he came over to help his sister finish the show.

FINNEAS played guitar on both “Happier Than Ever” and “Birds of a Feather” and served primarily as a timekeeper. In her youngest fashion In the cover interview, Billie confirmed that the Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour is her first without FINNEAS, who supports her on guitar every night, and that it is also her first tour without her parents. Seeing Billie dominate MSG all by herself and choosing to cap off such a career-defining moment with her closest collaborator was like watching a scene from a Disney Channel Original Movie – it was honestly that valuable!

The finale of the Hit Me Hard and Soft tour was simultaneously a recognition of a new era in the sibling duo's relationship and a full-circle moment commemorating everything they've already accomplished together. It was an absolutely perfect ending to one of the best pop shows of the year.