Louis Tomlinson ProfileLouis Tomlinson brings heart, grit and pop-rock anthems to Melbourne’s John Cain Arena to kick off the Australian leg of his How Did We Get Here? World Tour, in celebration of his third studio album.
With a set spanning his solo catalogue, a couple of familiar covers and a crowd ready to sing every word, the former One Direction star proves that his connection with Australian fans remains as strong as ever.
Kicking off the night is Pretty Bleak, who won a competition to open tonight’s show. Their sound leans heavily into the indie-pop-rock territory of The 1975, delivering a fitting introduction to an evening built around big choruses and guitar-driven energy. It’s a significant opportunity for the band who make the most of their big moment in front of an arena crowd.
Newcastle four-piece Rum Jungle follow, bringing a welcome surge of energy and coastal cool to the stage. Personally selected by Tomlinson as his support act on this leg of his tour, the band have grown from hometown favourites into one of Australia’s most exciting exports, blending indie rock and alternative pop with an effortless laid-back charm.
Tonight marks their first arena show, making the occasion a special milestone. The band acknowledge the significance of playing a venue they’ve dreamed of performing in, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Having recently released their sophomore album, they share their favourite track off it called Reset, written about their friend Louis. The coincidence of sharing a name with tonight’s headliner makes dedicating it to Tomlinson an easy and fitting decision.
Quiet When You’re Listening provides another memorable moment with phone torches illuminating the arena as the crowd joins in a sea of lights. It’s a beautiful pause before the main event, and Rum Jungle leave the stage having made a strong impression.
A cinematic, retro-inspired visual sequence plays on the giant screen display, showing Louis Tomlinson in grainy footage of a vintage car tuning a cassette player. Moody blue lighting and flickering red lights build anticipation before the word ‘Lemonade’ flashes in capital letters to signal Tomlinson’s arrival with his opening song of the same name. Yellow confetti explodes out over the audience to start with a bang.
He follows with On Fire and Written All Over Your Face, wasting little time establishing the night’s pace. The early run of tracks is energetic and guitar-heavy, with Out of My System keeping the momentum high. There’s a rawness to his live sound that suits the arena, balancing polished production with the restless, alternative-rock edge that has become central to his solo identity.
After the opening rush, Tomlinson pauses to take in the crowd. “Melbourne, how did we get here?” he asks, drawing a roar from the audience before offering a heartfelt thank you for welcoming him back.
“I think I’ve been coming to Australia since I was, like, 19 or 20,” he says, reflecting on his long relationship with the country. He speaks warmly about the people and the experience of returning, expressing how grateful he feels to still be playing shows for Australian fans.
Saturdays and Broken Bones follow, continuing to build the set’s emotional undercurrent, while one of the night’s biggest surprises arrives with a cover of Foo Fighters’ My Hero. It’s a natural fit for Tomlinson’s rock-oriented sound, with the familiar anthem performed with his distinctive raspy vocals for an emotionally charged moment.
The show then shifts to a more intimate setting as Tomlinson and his band move to the B-stage. The atmosphere changes with his solo rendition of Night Changes, a sentimental nod to his One Direction days that hits longtime fans with nostalgia. Lazy, Sunflowers and Lucid follow, offering a change of pace and bringing the crowd closer to the music as he connects with fans up close as he stands in the middle of the floor area.
Back on the main stage, Jump the Gun launches the next stretch of the performance. Tomlinson also acknowledges that his previous Melbourne show in 2024 was an emotional time, thanking fans for allowing him to be vulnerable then and for continuing to support him since. It’s a touching recognition of the relationship he has built with his audience, reaffirming his bond and growth with the fans who have stuck around for the journey.
Tomlinson continues to deliver a show that balances the punch of his rock influences with the vulnerability and connection that have shaped his solo career. Imposter and Sanity keep the set moving before Last Night, The Spark and Kill My Mind bring another burst of energy. Face the Music and Silver Tongues continue the run, with the latter particularly well suited to the communal, arms-in-the-air feeling that fills the arena. The Observer provides a moment of reflection before Tomlinson returns to the B-stage for an acoustic performance of The Answer – the calm before the final stretch.
Back on the main stage, he opens up once more. Asked before the show whether he still gets nervous, he admits, “I’m a fucking bag of nerves before every gig.” He goes on to express how lucky he feels to perform for such a loving audience, making it clear just how much their support means to him. Miss You and Palaces serve as the encore, sending the arena into another huge singalong to close the night on an emotional note.
