world music awards!

https://x.com/WORLDMUSICAWARD/status/1783909408843403691

The emojis are cracking me up.

[4.26.24]

Louis Tomlinson, FITFWT23: BERLIN [20.10.2023] 📸 ryleawyrick

His hair???

[4.26.24]

Louis Tomlinson in Los Angeles [26.4.2024] via priharumi IG story

FULL ARTICLE ON EUPHORIAZINE

By Saskia Postema 26.4.2024

Mere days after winning “Artist of the Year” at the inaugural Northern Music Awards, Louis Tomlinson is celebrating the only way he knows how – by giving back. Tomlinson just dropped a surprise album, which includes a curated list of live performances over the past years. It’s a risky move, as live albums are notoriously difficult to make worthwhile. But there’s no doubt about it: Tomlinson is deserving of that award, and the recordings on Louis Tomlinson: LIVE deserve to live forever.

After an initial stop-start to his solo career, Tomlinson has certainly flourished since finally getting to hit the stage. He’s been touring extensively over the past few years, performing a mix of tracks from his first two albums. Both were solid records that heavily referenced anthemic, rich sonic soundscapes. In fact, Tomlinson previously admitted that he wrote certain tracks with a live show in mind. Indeed, songs like “Face The Music,” “Out Of My System” and “The Greatest,” from his No. 1 selling album Faith in the Future, absolutely benefit from the live instrumentals compared to their studio versions.

It isn’t often that live performances consistently seem to not only live up to but objectively improve the perfectly engineered studio recordings. Perhaps it’s the love that the album so clearly captures for live music that does it. The singer-songwriter is an avid fan of his own fans and gets to share a collective experience of joy with them. Just listen to the crowds serenading Tomlinson in return during “Chicago,” recorded live in – you guessed it, Chicago. From Tomlinson’s perspective, audiences across the world have always been part of breathing life into these live recordings. Now, people get to live that same experience with him by listening to this record that is woven together with impeccably mixed joyful screaming in the background.

Tomlinson’s storytelling isn’t hindered by the crowd’s reaction. Rather, it is bolstered by it. In both power ballads like “Common People” as well as raucous tracks like “Silver Tongues.” The live setting seems to function almost akin to a prism – each song shining brighter, richer, fuller. Perhaps the only track that is tighter in the original version, is the seductive “Written All Over Your Face.” Nonetheless, the instrumental break and palpable, wild excitement make for an enjoyable listen.

Similarly, right in the middle of the highly addictive “All This Time/We Are Beauty” mash-up, a fan can be heard screaming “I love you” if you listen closely. The sheer adulation of the crowd is decidedly earned. Tomlinson has worked hard to prove himself, despite never having lacked the talent. Perhaps merely the confidence that he could do it, would do it, has done it. Nevertheless, he’s been open about the tension between his own love for music, and his at times debilitating need for perfection. As he’s settled into his career, a quiet undertone of determination and grit, of relief and fulfillment – of gratitude remains in every single show.

On “Saturdays,” you can actually hear Tomlinson mumble that the view’s never been better from where he’s stood on stage. It’s a high-maintenance track with all the right ingredients for a Tomlinson classic. There’s confessional lyricism, emotive delivery, and a gradual yet powerful crescendo in musical arrangement. It needs to be sung with conviction, and it’s clear that Tomlinson pulls power from the audience to deliver.

Notably, none of the covers that Tomlinson frequently incorporates in his concerts made it onto this live album. With that in mind, perhaps this release signals that Tomlinson has finally embraced his own artistry. Because if anything, Louis Tomlinson: LIVE is a reckless celebration record. An ode to joy, the synergy between artist and audience, and the impact of well-timed, flawlessly executed live guitar solos.

Louis Tomlinson shares surprise ‘Live’ album, recorded across 15 cities over three years

The songs were shared while he embarked on two world tours

By Liberty Dunworth | 26th April 2024

Louis Tomlinson has dropped a surprise album ‘Live’ – featuring songs that he recorded at 15 shows across 15 different cities.

Announced and shared yesterday (April 25), the album comes after the singer and former One Direction member embarked on two world tours over the past three years – playing just shy of 200 shows globally.

Now, a variety of performances from both tours – the ‘Louis Tomlinson World Tour’ and the ‘Faith in the Future World Tour’ – have been compiled into a new live album, which is available now.

Fifteen songs are included in the tracklist, and each was recorded in a different city, at a different show from across the three-year run. The album comes in both digital and physical formats, and features his singles including ‘Bigger Than Me’, ‘We Made It, ‘Walls’ and ‘Out Of My System’, alongside fan favourite album tracks, all released live for the very first time.

“I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last 3 years touring the world twice over. The feeling I get sharing those live moments will be with me forever,” Tomlinson said in a statement. “To be able to record these songs from all over the world and put them out as an album like this feels so special, and a real tribute to the fans who make each and every show feel unique and incredible. Thank you! Enjoy!”

There are four exclusive tracks split between the physical editions of ‘Live’, including a special version of the One Direction classic ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ – which is available only on the double CD.

Accompanying video clips of compiled tour footage will be shared on Louis’s social channels to support the release, showcasing a glimpse into his past three years on the road and 170 performances.

Louis Tomlinson – LIVE

An excellent document of his live experience...

CLASHMUSIC REVIEWS 26 · 04 · 2024

A fifteen-track production that spans multiple tour dates, over multiple countries? Louis Tomlinson is back with a bang.

‘LIVE’ was captured over the course of three years, all while the talented artist embarked on two world tours. That is why this new body of work has come as a surprise to many, but it’s an emotional rollercoaster that keeps fans wanting more.

Doncaster’s very own, Louis Tomlinson, is no stranger to writing and creating music that moves people. This is especially the case with this album as the high-quality production of the band is booming, the crowd’s enthusiasm, and the beautiful songwriting is perfect. There are two personal favourites from this writer, which are ‘We Made It’ and ‘Common People’.

Regardless of whether it’s the atmosphere that is felt between the artist and the crowd or if it is the nostalgia brought with memories of summer 2022 that ‘We Made It’ brings, it’s a fun part of the album. ‘Common People’ is a favourite because of the simple fact it was performed in Sheffield. Too many shows are played in the likes of London, and there are many cities across the UK that have thriving music scenes, which Tomlinson was able to encapsulate in this track.

There is a constant theme running through ‘LIVE’ which is the appreciation of what the artist has through music. No matter if on tracks such as ‘Chicago’ where the talented artist is encouraging the crowd to sing louder, or if it is hearing pure enjoyment from him, this album is truly something special.

Hearing the addictive guitar riffs of ‘Out Of My System’, which was performed in Brisbane, was one thing, but the crowd knowing every word brought a smile to this listener. This body of work is not just a love letter to fans, but it shows how music can connect to others on a much deeper level.

‘Get as loud as you can’ is shouted from Tomlinson on multiple tracks, which is exactly what every lover of his music is doing as they rundown the tracklist.

8/10

Words: Josh Abraham

Louis Tomlinson announces opening acts for FITFWT24: Latam [26.4.2024]

Louis Tomlinson via Twitter [25.4.2024]

A moment for Steve Durham as a fucking exceptional music direction and Louis’ band for being amazing.

unfriendly reminder that this is what Budapest Louis looked like while whining away 🫦

this is insane btw

Louis Tomlinson with a fan in Los Angeles [26.4.2024] via @louisupdates

Three Stages of Serenading Louis: Excitement, Confusion, and Polite Acceptance

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Louis Tomlinson: LIVE - formats and bundles available to order at launch (x)