CONCERT CAPSULE: OLIVIA RODRIGO
Photo By Ian Henriquez
For those who know me, I have grown a reputation to be at a concert almost every weekend and my passion for live music is infinite. My hope is to take you along a concert-driven lifestyle and give my honest opinion on the shows I have attended. The first addition to this series will be the GUTS World Tour by Olivia Rodrigo.
This show would be her sixth and final show in Los Angeles, taking place at the newly assembled Intuit Dome. Before this concert, I had never stepped foot inside the Intuit Dome, and the technological advancements did not fail to amaze me. The arena houses a huge halo screen that allows those in elevated seating to see the greater details of an artist’s performance.
While Rodrigo needs no introduction, the theme of her concert would fall into a grungy undertone. Doc Martens were almost everywhere you looked, in addition to an unavoidable black and purple color palette. Many fans recreated beloved music video attire that Rodrigo has worn, most notably the sash she wore for the song “obsessed.”
Rodrigo’s setlist contains hits from both of her record-breaking albums “SOUR” and “GUTS.” Opening the show with “bad idea right?” was the best idea to set the tone for the evening. Containing a heavy upbeat sound paired with a crowd interacting “mute challenge” (a concert phenomenon that was popularized at Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour requiring the arena to silence immediately mid-song, then to erupt into an uproar once the artist commences) the room was already on fire before the end of the first song.
She continues her blaze and embodies around the stage for a couple of more songs, then proceeds to her piano to perform live renditions of “driver’s license” and “teenage dream.” Much of the lyricism in “teenage dream” portrays the insecurities that unfold from growing older, making it a beloved standout for me. Rodrigo projected her very own baby videos behind her, creating an emotionally vulnerable moment in the show.
After adventuring backstage for a quick costume change to hypnotize the space with a few more hits, Olivia braced for take off to conquer the moon. I mean that seriously, Rodrigo sat on a floating moon that would travel around the entire arena just for fans to have an up-close experience with her no matter where their seat was. This was without a doubt my favorite moment throughout the entire show not only because she played my prized heartbreak anthems “logical” and “enough for you” but she happened to float right above me.
The encore consisted of a killer closure to the concert with performances of “good 4 u” and “get him back!” To individualize each show, for the duration of the tour, Rodrigo would appear in a different tank top during the encore usually consisting of a snarky pun theming around her. “Liv, Laugh, Love” was the graphic of my night’s tank top, a play of words around her first name.
Confetti cannons exploded and Rodrigo exited the stage. On my way out I stuffed some confetti into my bag as a souvenir and exited the arena.
My guts? Spilled. Rodrigo’s lively presence and utmost stage production made this an unforgettable experience for me. Having the opportunity to sing these songs I hold dear to my heart is a fond memory of mine. For those reasons, I couldn’t recommend her concert more. Until next time, Guts World Tour!
