Louis Tomlinson’s most recent album, Faith in the Future, was clearly written with live performances in mind. The setlist for Faith In The Future World Tour varies slightly, usually consisting of twenty-three songs. The Charlotte setlist included fifteen tracks from the 2022 album, one unreleased song, a cover of “505” by Arctic Monkeys, and performances of One Direction’s “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “Night Changes”. While only three songs from his first solo album, Walls, made the cut, a reimagined version of “Back to You,” a 2017 song originally featuring Bebe Rexha & Digital Farm Animals, secured a spot on the setlist to the surprise of fans.
Louis is known for his ability to scout up-and-coming talent, with openers like Sun Room, Only The Poets, and The Snuts earning popularity amongst his fanbase. I am evidence of this; after seeing Sun Room open for Louis last year, I became a fan of the band and saw them headline their own tour a few months later. Tomlinson was even credited for finding 5 Seconds of Summer, a band that gained international success after opening for One Direction a decade ago. The performer’s ability to recognize up-and-coming stars was proven once again, with the crowd growing increasingly eager during the openers’ sets in Charlotte.
Andrew Cushin, the first act, captured the attention of the audience with pop-rock single “You Don’t Belong” and “4.5%”, a personal and emotionally charged song. Giant Rooks, a German band with incredible stage presence, got the audience on their feet and singing along to “Bright Lies” and “Morning Blue”. “Somebody Like You”, which will be released August 4th, was a fan-favorite from their set. Enthusiasm was high following the openers, with attendees both blown away by the first two acts and eager to see the headliner.
Tomlinson took the stage with “The Greatest”, a song written specifically to open the tour. The intent behind the setlist is clear, with Tomlinson’s musical style and personality shining through and earning him status as a rock artist. Louis has a laid back approach to fashion, sporting a black tank and green Lacoste track trousers at the Charlotte show and wearing 28 Official Programme, his unreleased brand, a few times during the tour. Louis’ fans share a similar style, with many concert-goers proudly wearing 28 jewelry or makeup and dressed in black or red inspired by the Faith in the Future album cover. Friendship bracelet trading has surged in popularity at his gigs, with fans of all ages sharing laughs and making memories while waiting for the show to start. The welcoming energy and collective fervor at Tomlinson’s shows are truly unmatched. Dancing with strangers in the back of the venue at his first world tour is a memory I will never forget, and it is remarkable to see how Louis commands the attention of everyone in the venue, something artists with a larger following often fail to do.
While the performer isn’t known for crowdwork, Louis was sure to interact with fans during the show and expressed both the intent behind his music and his appreciation for fans before playing his unreleased song “Copy of a Copy of a Copy”. The singer takes a rock approach to live music, with fans dancing nearly the whole set, including during fan-favorite song “Written All Over Your Face”. His set contains a few slower songs, occasionally including “Common People”, a song the audience waves their flashlights to. While “Chicago” is on the slower side, the lyrics are a hit among fans, resulting in the crowd loudly chanting the bridge.
Though his pop era will be missed, Louis Tomlinson’s vocals are better suited for his new style, with a noticeable improvement in both vocal confidence and strength from the previous tour. While the use of pyro and streamers is exciting, the lighting and stage setup are simple. At times, I wished that there was better lighting on Louis to set him apart more visually, though the colored lighting of the stage matched the music well. The relationship between Louis and his fans is clearly one of gratitude and even trust, with Louis jumping on the barricade and embracing fans during “Silver Tongues,” the third encore song and final song of his set. This song was the most anticipated of the whole show, with the lyrics “You smile at me and say it’s time to go, but I don’t feel like going home” resonating with fans as an unforgettable night comes to an end. Louis wrapped up the North American leg of tour in New York before headlining The Away From Home Festival in Italy, and will return to the stage for the European leg of Faith In The Future World Tour.
Article Cover Photographed by Abby Stanford
