Louis Tomlinson - Faith In The Future
Date : July 25, 2023
Location: MGM Fenway Hall, Boston, MA
Faith In The Future is my first Louis Tomlinson concert. After watching Louis’s “All Of The Voices” documentary, I became a bigger Louis fan. I knew I had to check out his concert whenever he came into town.
Louis was scheduled to play two nights in Boston on his Faith In The Future tour. Boston was the 4th to last city on the American leg. The first night was sold out! Luckily, I scored tickets to the show on the second night.
The Venue
The concert took place at MGM Fenway Hall. Located next to Fenway Park Baseball stadium, the venue was built just last year. Fenway Hall is accessible on public transportation via the greenline at either the Kenmore or Hynes Convention station. However, I decided to uber there mostly because public transportation wasn't reliable that day.
Coincidentally, the area around Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall was shut down due to the Red Sox game also scheduled that night. Cars were not permitted to drive into the area.My uber had to drop me off a few yards over. Only pedestrians can enter that area. You could imagine the crowds post-event! Of course I would like to think Fenway shut down because of Louis.
I was grateful though that Louis’s concert took place indoors because it was raining that night.
Sitting at Mezzanine
Originally, I purchased a General Admission Floor Ticket. However, I discovered that Directoners willingly would stand in line for hours to get close enough to the barricade. Though the show started at 7:30 pm, I learned from the Louis fan Facebook group, Louis only goes on at 9 pm. Fans started lining up at 8 am.
Since this concert took place on a weeknight and I had work, I definitely was NOT going to line up all day. So I bought a seated ticket at the mezzanine level instead.
Normally I suggest that closer is better.In this case, I recommend sitting in the mezzanine level. Much more comfortable. I also knew that my chances of getting close to Louis were slim if I chose to stand on the floor. And you might be standing behind someone taller than you, blocking your view from the stage.
At the mezzanine level, I still got a great view of the stage. Plus I was near the bar and the bathroom. I can rest in the chair if I am tired instead of standing on my feet for a long time waiting for Louis to come on. I was also not squished amongst the crowd.
Moreover, I heard from another fan who stood for hours in line, found a spot in the second row of the general admission, and ended up leaving after two Louis songs.
The Show
As expected, Louis came on at 9 pm, exactly 30 minutes after the opening act, Giant Rocks, a German indie rock group, ended their set.
I will say Louis clearly puts a great deal of details into his show. The show contained impressive synchronized multi-color lighting effects combined with visual graphics and music. There was blue lighting and red lighting. The TV screens showed moving checkerboards and hypnotic swirls during different songs.
The setlist composed a mix of Louis’s first album “Walls” and the sophomore album “Faith In The Future”. He ignited the show with the perfect power statement song, “The Greatest”. Louis continued the show with my two favorite songs, “Kill My Mind” and “Bigger Than Me”. Louis truly released his emotions and convictions into those songs.
His setlist also included “We Made It”, “Chicago”, “High in California”, and “Back To You”.
The highlight of the concert was definitely “Out Of My System” which is a great rager (no violent actions taken whatsoever) song. I found myself jumping around and dancing and just shaking my stresses off. I also enjoyed “Angels Fly”. I felt Louis uplifted my spirits as if telling me everything's gonna be all right.
My spirits continued to be lifted when Louis started singing One Direction’s “Night Changes”. It’s my favorite One Direction song so the performance definitely garnered a lot of nostalgia and happiness. The fans also knew every word. Sometimes I had difficulty hearing Louis sing because the fans were loudly singing.
Louis actually loves it when the fans sing his songs back to him. There would be times when he walks around the stage and holds the microphone out to the crowd.
Louis and The Fans
Louis Fans and Directioners definitely take boyband fandom to another level. Not only do they know all the words to the song, but they plan ahead for Louis’s shows. Ahead of the concerts, these fans organize action projects during specific songs. For example, during “She’s A Beauty”, the fans wave out the pride flags. Then when Louis sang “Common People”, the fans turned on and waved their cell phone lights.
Moreover, Louis has quite the influential effect on his fans. There was a moment where he just sat down at the edge of the stage and stared out in the crowd. The fans still screamed for joy at him. And he didn’t move. The only artists who I see that can do that are his bandmate Harry Styles, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and NKOTB’s Donnie Wahlberg. I recently watched a more up close video of this moment. Louis just wanted to relish and enjoy the time he’s on stage..
Despite the fandom power, I am amazed at how humble he is when thanked the crowd for a great tour. He definitely appreciates the fans’ support.
Overall, I truly enjoyed myself at the Faith In The Future concert. I would totally see Louis again. He is extremely talented and delivers a great show with such passion and dedication.
I definitely recommend going to see Louis in concert in a town near you.Keep in mind, if you are not looking to stand for a longtime, buy a mezzanine or balcony seat.
