By Aniqa Norhazry (25S03D) and Chen Ying (25A01C)

For most, 1st October was an ordinary day, perhaps a day of revision for those with the upcoming A-levels. But for a crowd of roughly 10,000 decked out in sequins, pastel purple, and star accessories at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, this was no ordinary day—it was the opening night of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts Tour in Singapore.

With a 23-song setlist and a full house, the night was certainly one to remember… and here are the highlights!

Entering the venue, hues of lilac and violet speckled the indoor stadium, with sparkly skirts and knee-high boots adorned by most. It was as if there was an unspoken dress code—perfectly embodying the rebellious, care-free nature of the artist and her songs. The energy in the venue was electric, with fans chattering excitedly, sharing their favorite songs and taking selfies. A buzz of chatter built up, creating a palpable sense of excitement.

As the opening chords rang through the stadium, bold red and purple strobe lights set the venue ablaze. The stage emulated the bottom points of a star—a symbol that Olivia Rodrigo often incorporates in her works. The crowd buzzed with excitement, voices mixing in eager anticipation. Fans clutched their phones, eyes fixed on the stage. It’s that thrilling moment before Olivia Rodrigo takes the stage, where everyone holds their breath, ready for the show to begin. Finally, Olivia emerged decked out in a glittery silver two-piece and the audience got to their feet immediately—celebrating the start of what would be a lively and scream-filled night. 

Bittersweet (and Sour) Messages

If you were to tune in to Olivia’s complete discography, you’d notice a few major themes that echo throughout, namely topics like insecurity, teenage angst and self-identity. In Guts especially, the star’s second studio album, she dives into the themes without holding back. 

Pretty isn’t Pretty, the 11th track on Guts, delves into what it means to be a teenage girl and grapple with insecurities and the pressure of societal expectations. Olivia captures the feelings of self-doubt and the struggle against unhealthy comparisons, shedding light on the journey of navigating physical flaws and the quest for self-acceptance. The song explores the familiar struggle of keeping up with the ever-changing expectations and social norms—the feeling of sustained imperfection, despite all efforts to fit in.

Olivia’s performance of this striking tune in concert further solidified the message. Female backup dancers with handheld mirrors delivered stunning choreography, truly bringing out the distress and rage that burdens those who go through such struggles.

Known for her versatility in delivering punk rock head-bangers as well as tear-jerking ballads, Rodrigo refers to these themes in a variety of genres. The crowd was on their feet when notable indie rock tracks like Ballad of a Homeschool Girl and All-American B*tch came on; belting the lyrics with their chests. When the softer melodies of Lacy or Making the Bed followed, they broke into soulful melody instead, sniffles heard across the sections as they resonated with the helplessness and anxiety that Rodrigo so easily renders. 

Regardless of genre, however, the essence of her tracks remains. In a society that so often promotes unattainable ideals, Olivia’s songs have become a source of solace for those facing similar challenges. Through poignant lyrics and relatable storytelling, she resonates with her listeners, making the tracks powerful anthems for anyone learning to embrace their true selves. The angst of social anxiety, the pain of fitting in; the tracks on Guts delve into these struggles and to hear them live was, to say the least, liberating. 

Therapy at the Guts World Tour…

From songs about being in love (e.g. So American) to tear-jerking ballads about heartbreak (e.g. Traitor, Happier, Enough For You), another focal point of Olivia Rodrigo’s discography is an issue most teenagers are all too familiar with: relationships. And from how loud the crowd shouted “YOU BETRAYED ME” during Traitor, it was clearly a topic that the Singaporean audience understood all too well, too. In fact, in the days following the concert, numerous videos of Olivia Rodrigo’s Night 1 performance of Traitor made their rounds on Tiktok, humorously captioned, “Who hurt you, Singapore?”

It’s hard to put into words, but there’s something extremely therapeutic about singing along to songs with thousands of strangers whom you know nothing about and share only a common love for Olivia Rodrigo (and perhaps a broken heart) with. In that sense, one cannot help but feel a sense of sisterhood and companionship after watching Olivia perform. After all, it is somewhat comforting to know that even when you’re crying to these songs on your bedroom floor after a bad breakup, you are not alone, for many others have done the same.

In particular, songs like Traitor, a song about an ex who moves on too fast, and Deja Vu, which discusses the recycled nature of relationships, yielded especially loud responses from the crowd. Various members of the audience shed tears as they sang along (including this author), further proving the sheer relatability and emotion in Olivia Rodrigo’s songwriting.

All in all, it was amazing to witness in person how Olivia Rodrigo’s songs have managed to connect people from all walks of life through the common teenage struggles of insecurities and heartbreak. The experience of shouting the lyrics to her songs that day was certainly a testament to how music can often act as a form of catharsis.

Women Represent!

Of course, one cannot comment on an Olivia Rodrigo Concert without recognising the amazing work of all the other performers who made the experience so special. For most of her songs, Olivia Rodrigo is flanked by an all-female band, all-female backing vocals, and an all-female dance crew. Notably, by having an all-female band, Olivia Rodrigo helps provide a platform for female artists to perform, which aligns with her belief that female rock artists in particular are often underrepresented in the media. While this might seem trivial, it is reassuring and inspiring to see artists act on their words to enact positive change!

Our Teenage Dream

As the final notes of Get Him Back! lingered in the air, Olivia takes a moment to soak in the roaring applause from the crowd in Singapore. With a smile, she waves goodbye, leaving the stage with an unforgettable performance that has resonated deeply with everyone present. 

For many, this experience has been a long-awaited dream. The lights fade, but the impact of her music and the shared memory of the night will linger long after the concert ends. And for those who missed out on the performances, fret not! The singer-songwriter is set to release her own concert film, Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour, this October 29th on Netflix.

Here’s hoping for Olivia’s quick return—before we get hit with “deja vu”!