Honestly, the energy at the Videotron Centre was something else. People weren't just there for a show; they were there for the birth of an era. On September 29, 2024, the Billie Eilish Quebec concert officially kicked off the "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour," and if you weren't in the room, you missed the moment the world first heard those new tracks live.
It's funny how things work. Usually, big stars hit Montreal and skip the capital, but Billie did the opposite this time. She chose Quebec City for the global premiere.
The Setlist That Shocked Everyone
Most fans expected a heavy lean into the new album, but the way she structured the night was basically a masterclass in tension and release. She opened with "CHIHIRO." The bass hit so hard you could feel it in your teeth. Then, she slid straight into "LUNCH," and the place absolutely lost it.
She didn't just stick to the new stuff. You've got to respect an artist who knows when to pull out the classics. We got "bad guy" and "ocean eyes," but they felt different—reinvigorated.
- The Live Debuts: "THE DINER" and "SKINNY" had their first-ever live performances.
- The Surprise Cover: That remix of Charli XCX’s "Guess" made it into the set, and yeah, the crowd went feral.
- The Acoustic Break: A three-song stripped-back moment with "Your Power," "SKINNY," and "TV" that turned a massive arena into what felt like a tiny bedroom.
Why Quebec City Was the Perfect Choice
Logistically, kicking off a world tour in Quebec City is a bold move. It’s a 18,000-seat room, but it feels tighter than the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. It gave Billie a chance to test the "A-Stage" and "B-Stage" movements without the blinding glare of a New York or LA media frenzy right out of the gate.
Nat & Alex Wolff opened the night. Their vibe set a specific tone—indie, raw, and slightly chaotic—which acted as the perfect appetizer for Billie’s dark-pop feast.
Sustainability Wasn't Just a Buzzword
Look, we've all seen artists claim they’re "green." Usually, it's just a recycling bin near the exit. But the Billie Eilish Quebec concert actually put its money where its mouth is. Partnering with REVERB, the tour pushed plant-based meals and even used the Ticketmaster Face Value Exchange.
The goal? Stop the scalpers. It sort of worked. While you could still find tickets on the secondary market if you looked hard enough, the push for face-value resale kept the front rows filled with actual fans rather than just the highest bidders.
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"I want you guys to be here because you love the music, not because you have the most money," she's hinted in past interviews, and the Quebec show felt like the physical manifestation of that ethos.
The Technical Glitches (Or Lack Thereof)
Opening nights are notorious for things going wrong. Mic cuts, lighting cues being missed, or stage elevators sticking. Surprisingly, the Quebec show was tight. The visuals for "L’AMOUR DE MA VIE" were trippy and perfectly synced.
The only "flaw" was the sheer volume of the crowd. At times, the "Eilish whisper" was completely drowned out by 17,000 people screaming the lyrics back at her. But hey, that’s not a bad problem to have for a tour opener.
What to Do if You Missed It
If you’re kicking yourself for missing the Billie Eilish Quebec concert, you’ve got to be smart about the remaining tour dates. The tour is running through 2025, hitting Australia, Europe, and the UK.
- Check the Face Value Exchange: Don't buy from shady third-party sites. Stick to the official exchange to avoid getting scammed.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Billie's stage setup involves a lot of movement. If you're on the floor, you're going to be moving with her.
- Arrive Early for Merch: The Quebec show saw lines for the "Hit Me Hard and Soft" hoodies wrap around the building before the doors even opened.
If you’re planning on catching a later leg of the tour, keep an eye on the setlist updates. She’s been known to swap one or two songs depending on the city’s vibe, but that Quebec opening night remains the blueprint for the entire 2024-2025 run.