Billie Eilish just ended her seventh headlining tour in support of her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. This tour has been going on globally since September 29, 2024, in Québec City. I’m sure many of you all have heard that she came to Austin! Let’s dive into all things Billie involving Austin, this tour, past tours, and even just Texas as a whole.
Why Not Texas?
Initially, Billie did not have ANY Texas tour dates for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour. Personally, I was heartbroken; however, I knew why. This is her first time performing in Texas since October 2021 as a headliner for Austin City Limits! For Billie, playing in Austin isn’t about geography, and is symbolic. Austin is known for being the most progressive part of Texas, and its activism definitely resonates here more than any other location in the state.Â
Her Time at ACL 2021
Billie is probably one of the most vocal artists concerning activism and her political stance. During her set in 2021 at ACL, she spoke against Texas’s abortion law. She even said she almost didn’t want to do the show. She wanted to punish the law, even the place for enabling this to happen. While on stage, she yelled, “My body, my choice!” with the screens showcasing the words “Bans Off Our Bodies.”Â
This moment became hers, and she practically cemented the concept that she is not just an artist playing a show- she was using her platform to speak out on issues that impact everyone. She showed the world that she is a normal person who wants autonomy over herself too.
I was there. Chills were felt. Knowing how she felt about Texas made me wonder if she would come for this tour. When I saw the original tour dates released and zero Texas dates were on the schedule, I thought this was a punishment. Little did I know she would add two Austin dates as bonuses at the end of the tour.
Moody Center x Billie’s Values
Sustainability is one of Billie’s core values that she chooses to carry to share and educate her fans not just at shows, but also on social media and in interviews. The venue is working diligently to abide by Billie’s requested implementations. These include environmentally friendly measures like no single-use plastic, water refill stations, and compostable materials.Â
Something else that was implemented at the shows of 11/13/25 and 11/14/25 were vegan and gluten-free options. She talked about how sustainability and a clean lifestyle are a choice, but it is not something that is loudly advertised as an option. She brought up how she hopes this changes in the future, and how it needs to change in the future.
Her Thoughts on Texas
The relationship Billie has with Austin and Texas is, of course, controversial, but she is taking a risk to stand for her beliefs and protest for our Earth and ourselves.Â
Returning to Texas after political tension to engage with the fans she has here is a powerful statement to showcase her passion and political awareness. The idea is that her fans are hopefully aware, too. There is a sense from some fans that her political stances on reproductive rights influence where she tours, and specifically where she is touring in Texas. Many Texas fans were excited about her return, but the tickets were increasingly difficult to get through the Ticketmaster Fan Pre-sale process. Others are also sad there are only two shows and that they are in the same city.
What I Know
Regardless of the fact that I did not make it through the pre-sale, I am still adamant about seeing her. Showing her as fans that we love her for her music speaks a lot, but showing her that we support her and her beliefs speaks even more.
She loves her fans for enjoying her music, but she cares more about the world and our lives. It’s not that she doesn’t appreciate the fans she has that just listen to her music; it’s that she loves the fans she has that care about the values she has just as much as she does. She has a platform to spread awareness, and that’s exactly what she uses it for. She doesn’t just spend her money on lavish objects; she donates a lot of her earnings.
This is why she is such a special artist. She cares. She is not just an image, an idol. She is a role model. She is an inspiration, and she is only 23. She may not know every single one of her fans, but she cares for every single one.Â
As a UT Austin student, Billie coming to literally the most accessible place for me was everything I could want and more. I was supposed to see Billie Eilish at Madison Square Garden in New York, but unfortunately, because of COVID hitting the city a week or two before the show, it got cancelled. The year after, she played at ACL, and since I was living in Texas, I got to see her then. I have now been to both Billie’s Austin shows for the HMHAS tour and couldn’t feel more complete. It’s been a blessing.