Louis Tomlinson Rocks Crypto.com Arena

On Thursday, June 11 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Louis Tomlinson took the venue by storm for his How Did We Get Here world tour. 

Hailing from One Direction, he is no stranger to success. From “How Did We Get Here” to “Faith in the Future,” his work explores what it is to be human. And what better place to experience that than live in concert. 

The crowd, ranging from fans at their first concerts to fans at their twentieth (to the guy sitting in front of me watching the Mexico vs South Africa World Cup game), was by far one of the loudest I have ever been a part of. Starting with his new single Lemonade, Louis joined his band on stage to tumultuous roars and applause. 

Just as he sang “Bigger Than Me,” it was obvious that the moment itself was just that. With a blend of old and new music, his vocals spanned decades and transported everyone in the crowd back to a simpler time. 

Looking around me, there were crying fans and people scream-singing their hearts out. The emotion was palpable, and in true Louis Tomlinson fashion, after every song the arena was enveloped in barks from fans. 

Halfway through the show, and multiple times throughout the night, he made sure to tell the crowd that they are the reason for all of this—that he’s thankful every night to look out to an audience full of supporters.

Right before the show started, a 10-year-old sitting next to me leaned over and asked quietly, “Are you a One Direction fan?” After I replied and told her, “Of course I am,” we compared our favorite members. 

Live music brings people together and unites them around the idea of loving an artist and their music, and allowing the crowd to hold space for one another to experience it fully.

So whether you were a die-hard fan knowing every lyric to every song, only knew him from the radio or were just there for a good time, every expectation was exceeded. And personally, my One Direction heart was soaring.

Each show is a memory, and Louis Tomlinson showed us how to live with a moment for a lifetime.