Eilish mesmerises sold out Brisbane spectacle to kickstart Oz tour
By Kirra Livingstone
TALK about the hottest ticket in town.
Billie Eilish’s first Australian show of the Hit Me Hard and Soft tour was nothing short of mesmerising.
Despite battling the flu, the 23-year-old delivered a performance that was both vocally flawless and emotionally charged, proving once again why she remains one of the most compelling live acts of her generation.
The night – and the first of four sold out shows at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre – began with an energetic opening set from Ashnikko, whose raw, pop-punk energy and dynamic choreography instantly engaged the crowd.
A standout moment was her performance of the unreleased track Itty Bitty Teeny Tiny Little Silly Skirt, reminiscent of Charli XCX’s Brat era.
When Billie took the stage, the anticipation from the 12,000+ crowd reached fever pitch.
She emerged from a box to open with Chihiro, one of the most haunting tracks from her latest album, before launching into Lunch, a song widely speculated to be her coming-out anthem.
The pulsating beats and hypnotic melodies had the crowd in a frenzy from the start.
Her setlist was a carefully curated mix of new material and fan favourites, balancing high-energy moments with stripped-back intimacy.
Midway through, she slowed things down, sitting with her guitar for an acoustic interlude that showcased her signature ethereal vocals.
She delivered a stirring rendition of Ocean Eyes, followed by Lovely, her duet with Khalid, drawing emotional singalongs from the audience.
The energy surged again when she performed Guess, her collaboration with Charli XCX, accompanied by striking green strobe lights.
The atmosphere was electric as she moved seamlessly between her signature whisper-like vocals and more powerful, emotive deliveries.
Eilish closed the night with Birds of a Feather, her Triple J Hottest 100 hit, as confetti rained down in a spectacular finale.
While the crowd sang along for most of the night, there were moments when the sheer talent and presence of Billie Eilish left the audience in silent awe.
Even under the weight of illness, she delivered a show that was both sonically impeccable and visually hypnotic—an unforgettable night from an artist at the height of her powers.
