Hundreds of Billie Eilish fans demonstrated their unwavering devotion on July 7, 2025, as they began lining up outside Glasgow’s OVO Hydro nearly 24 hours ahead of the pop star’s sold-out concert. Braving unrelenting rain and chilly conditions, some arrived as early as 1:30 a.m. to secure front-row standing spots for the long-awaited show, which kicked off the UK leg of Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” world tour.
Equipped with camping chairs, umbrellas, waterproof ponchos, and plenty of snacks, the crowd transformed the venue’s perimeter into a buzzing makeshift campsite. Fans, many of them teenagers and young adults, said the hours of discomfort were worth the chance to see their musical idol perform live. “We’ve waited so long for this,” said one fan from Edinburgh. “I don’t care if it rains all day. Billie is everything.”
This fervor is not new for the 22-year-old artist, whose ability to draw large, passionate crowds has remained consistent since her breakout in 2019. Known for her genre-bending sound and introspective lyrics, Eilish has cultivated a fiercely loyal following worldwide. Her latest tour supports her third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” released in May 2024 to critical and commercial acclaim.
The Glasgow concert, one of two scheduled at the OVO Hydro, featured a visually striking stage design. A figure-of-eight-shaped runway allowed Eilish to interact more closely with fans on all sides of the arena, while a suspended video cube projected surreal, atmospheric visuals to match her signature sound. The 90-minute set included a mix of new material—such as “Chihiro,” “Birds of a Feather,” and “Lunch”—as well as hits like “Bad Guy,” “Happier Than Ever,” and “When the Party’s Over.”
Critics have praised the tour for its minimalist yet emotionally charged performances. A review in The Times described the concert experience as “a cult meeting as much as a concert,” highlighting Eilish’s intimate connection with her audience and her ability to hold a crowd in near silence during her softer ballads.
Glasgow’s enthusiasm echoed past visits by Eilish, who previously made headlines in 2022 when she placed a £1,000 food order from local favorite Buck’s Bar to feed her crew during a stop in the city. This latest appearance further solidifies her special bond with Scottish fans, many of whom have grown up with her music and identify closely with her message of self-acceptance and mental health awareness.
The “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour launched in North America in September 2024 and has since traveled through major cities in Europe before reaching the UK. Following Glasgow, Eilish is set to perform multiple shows at London’s O2 Arena and Manchester’s Co-op Live, all of which sold out within hours of tickets going on sale.
Her return to live touring comes at a time when the live music industry is experiencing a resurgence, with high-profile artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Olivia Rodrigo also embarking on international tours. Eilish’s ability to consistently draw massive crowds—despite competing headliners—underscores her status as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
For fans who couldn’t make it to Glasgow, recordings and clips from the performance have already begun circulating on social media, with many praising the production quality and setlist. Meanwhile, those who camped overnight said they wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again.