Twenty-one year old pop star Olivia Rodrigo is an icon for young women. She exudes both relatability and confidence in her latest album GUTS, released in 2023, and during her 2024 GUTS World Tour.
The GUTS World Tour began Feb. 23, 2024, and the U.S. leg of the tour wrapped up in October. Rodrigo collaborated with Netflix to record the show in her hometown of Los Angeles as the tour came to a close, producing a one hour, 40 minute concert recording that was released Oct. 29.
The concert setlist consisted of 24 songs from SOUR, GUTS, GUTS (spilled) and a surprise guest artist.
“bad idea, right?” made for a bold opener, with Rodrigo sporting a sparkly silver two-piece outfit and glittery eye makeup. Although back up vocalists took over the most challenging parts of the song, Rodrigo’s energetic performance made up for it. It was a grand entrance, and fans were definitely hyped up.
As the show progressed, the setlist transitioned to more somber and vocally sophisticated songs. These included “vampire” and “traitor.” Rodrigo demonstrated her capacity to sing beautifully live, as well as her passion for her music. The entire time, her genuine facial expressions and movements connected to the lyrics and music.
Rodrigo took the audience on an emotional journey, from a confident entrance, to an emotional leg of the show, and finally to the story of a love-stricken young woman. Rodrigo didn’t spend too much time between songs talking, but she provided enough audience interaction and explanation to connect the songs of the setlist. She made the concert feel personal and intimate, resulting in an engaging and captivating show, even on the screen.
The only concerning element of the show were the backup dancers. Their choreography felt odd and disconnected from the songs, adding little meaning to the musical masterpiece compared to Rodrigo.
Olivia Rodrigo is an artist who is talented in both settings of the music industry: the studio and the stage. Her stage presence and pure skill in singing, dancing, acting and audience interaction in the GUTS World Tour matched the brilliance of her latest album. Rodrigo’s Netflix concert is one that every pop music-lover should watch, especially her fans.
