What went down at Billie Eilish’s first Scandinavian stadium show – kicking off her European tour

At just 23, Billie Eilish has already built an extraordinary résumé, but until now, a stadium show in Scandinavia wasn’t on it. That changed last night, as she kicked off a three-country tour sweep through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

Last night's concert at Stockhom's Avicii Arena marked the first of two sold-out shows, and Vogue Scandinavia was there to catch every moment. Here are the five biggest takeaways from the opening night of the Hit Me Hard and Soft tour's European leg.

After years of frustration over skyrocketing ticket prices, Eilish is making sure fans get their money’s worth. For her current tour, she’s opted for a 360-degree stage setup, ensuring everyone in the arena has a clear, intimate view – no matter where they’re seated. Even in a venue as massive as Stockholm’s 17,000-capacity Avicii Arena, the effect is surprisingly cosy, almost like being invited into her living room.

Fan connection has always been central to Eilish’s artistry, and this immersive setup is a testament to how deeply she values her audience. Mid-show, she shared a heartfelt message with the crowd: “I will always be there for you and I will always be your voice if you feel like you don’t have one. I will always have your back and I hope you have mine.”

Eilish opened the night by expressing how good it felt to be back in Europe. “Things are so terrible in the US right now, so it’s nice to be somewhere else. And I’m pretty sure I haven’t played Stockholm since like 2019, isn’t that right? Which is now like six years ago, that’s a long time. I’m very happy to be here with you and I love you so much.”

Later in the show, she reflected on her long-standing relationship with European audiences: “I’ve been touring Europe since I was about 15 years old and so I feel very connected to you, and I have a lot of feelings when I come here and so many memories.” The crowd’s energy made it clear – the feeling was entirely mutual.

Eilish has been known to tweak her set list mid-tour, leaving fans curious about what to expect for the European leg. So far, no changes have been made. The show features a consistent 24-song set, running roughly an hour and 40 minutes. The majority of the tracks come from her latest album, while Happier Than Ever and When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? are each represented with five songs.

Of course, she made space for fan-favourite 'Guess', her recent collaboration with Charli XCX, which drew one of the loudest reactions of the night. Supporting her throughout the Scandinavian dates is British singer-songwriter Tom Odell, serving as the opening act.

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While last night’s rendition of 'When the Party’s Over' wasn’t new to the tour, social media couldn’t help but applaud Sweden for truly understanding the assignment. During the song, Eilish asks the audience for complete silence as she records and layers harmonies live to use throughout the performance. And the crowd delivered – 17,000 people fell utterly silent, creating a moment so still you could hear a pin drop. I might be biased, but it felt like the best version yet.

In recent years, major world tours have raised important questions about environmental impact – and Eilish is one of the few global artists putting climate consciousness front and centre. From pressing her vinyls on recycled materials to aiming for a carbon-neutral tour, she’s determined to make sustainability part of the show.

Her passion for second-hand fashion is also well documented; she’s spoken about how thrifting inspires her personal style. In that spirit, she encourages fans to dress in pre-loved pieces for the tour, and her merch line includes upcycled garments. The result? A crowd that’s not only vibrant and expressive, but dressed with purpose.

Eilish returns to the Avicii Arena stage tonight, Thursday, April 24th.