Live Report: Billie Eilish leaves Dublin's 3Arena 'Happier Than Ever'

Billie Eilish's sold-out double header in Dublin's 3Arena over the weekend marked the last stop on the European leg of her Hit Me Hard And Soft Tour.

Spanning over a year, the tour is in support of her third studio album, Hit Me Hard And Soft (2024), and includes 81 dates across North America, Oceania, and Europe.

Kicking off the evening with an intimate and soulful show, R&B singer Syd’s breathy vocals carried over an experimental and complex sound production. Apart from playing songs ‘Hold On’ and ‘Special Affair’ by her band The Internet, the LA songstress also gave the crowd a taste of her solo music.

With her signature swagger and hazy vocal delivery, she performed her latest single, ‘Die For This,’ released earlier this month. Matching the track’s smooth and dreamy vibe, Syd slowly strode across the stage, engaging her audience by waving and smiling at faces in the crowd.

Nearing the end of her setlist, 3Arena lit up with thousands of flashlights, bobbing over the heads of waving arms and swaying bodies, complementing Syd’s laid-back rendition of ‘Out Loud.’

 

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The air was filled with anticipation for the main event when suddenly the lights went out. Under roaring cheers by the crowd, the space transformed; gone was the tranquil atmosphere of Syd's performance, and in turn, electronic horns blasted through 3Arena, followed by green light beams that shot across the room.

Positioned in the middle of the arena, the stage was surrounded by a sea of screaming fans. In its very centre hung an illuminated cage. Ever so slowly, a platform was lifted up, revealing the megastar. Playing with her audience, Billie gave the crowd a coy smile before the first notes of 'CHIHIRO' blasted through the speakers.

Jumping off the lowering platform, she strutted across the stage while effortlessly delivering a powerhouse vocal performance. With 'CHIHIRO', 'LUNCH', and 'NDA' appearing early on the set list, the night was off to the right start, matching the energetic atmosphere. Diehard fans sang along to every line, jumping so fiercely, I thought the metal structure of the seating area might just collapse.

Following this intense prelude, Billie switched gears with her ballad 'WILDFLOWER,' which was welcomed by the glow of thousands of lights. The dreamy, breathy quality of her vocal delivery created a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that felt both intimate and raw.

Keeping to the serene ambiance, the songstress took a leisurely, cross-legged sitting position on stage and made a special request to her audience.

“So, for this next song, I'm going to be using the loop on my voice. I'm going to be singing, and singing on top of that, and on top of that. I'm making a little harmony stack. And it can only work if the room is completely silent for the duration of what I'm doing," she explained.

After multiple murmurs and shh sounds rippled through 3Arena, everyone expectantly held their breath for 'When The Party's Over'. Witnessing Billie harmonising with live recorded, looped vocals was nothing short of magical. Basking in the exquisite sound, it felt as if the stage had become her private recording studio.

When a minute had passed and the harmony was successfully assembled, fans joined in again, cheering and singing all the louder. With renewed vigour, the crowd went crazy for 'THE DINER,' 'Ilomilo,' and her 2019 hit song 'Bad Guy.'

But almost no song was met by as many cheers as Billie's speech when addressing her audience a second time. "Well, as you guys know, I'm Irish." Thunderous applause and cheers followed.

"Obviously I am not from here, but it's really cool to come somewhere and everybody looks exactly like you. And you're all just as pasty as me. I love it," she added, laughing.

Nearing the end of her set, the LA singer performed fan favorites 'Ocean Eyes,' 'What Was I Made For,' and 'Happier Than Ever' before going all out one last time for her closing song, 'BIRDS OF A FEATHER.'

Soft and intimate, yet strong, her voice carried over synths and drum machines as she jumped across the stage. In time with the second chorus, white confetti exploded from the ceiling—a worthy end to a spectacular evening of pop extravaganza.