Finneas – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA – February 19, 2025
Many know Finneas as the brother and the brains of Billie Eilish’s stardom. I know him mainly as a songwriter and producer for a number of pop artists like Justin Bieber, Ben Platt and Kid Cudi. Not only has Finneas made a name in the songwriting industry, creating smash hits for his sister and countless other artists, but he also has put his talents into his solo music and created a long lasting fanbase. Last year, Finneas released his album For Cryin’ Out Loud! and his fans responded with unwavering support. The fan adoration was incredibly palpable at The Fillmore in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Attending Finneas' show on February 19th was an unforgettable experience due to the song and performance quality as well as the overwhelming outpour of audience admiration.
Doors opened for the show at 7 PM, and fans were already lined up for blocks (I later discovered front row concert-goers had been there since the morning). I squeezed through the 21+ section to snag a spot closer to the front, to the side of the stage. Pushing through the crowd was no easy task, as this venue was the most packed I have ever seen. I didn’t even know The Fillmore could fit that many people.
The Bad Suns opened the show with a bang at 8:00 sharp, playing for about a half an hour. The young group of three was really great, all of them natural performers. They seemed very cool and collected on stage, like they’d been doing it for years. Lead singer Christo Bowens was very charismatic, captivating the audience with his vibrant vocal tone and effortless stage presence. The crowd was pretty calm, taking in the music, which few people seemed to be too familiar with. Nothing prepared me for the audience’s enthusiasm once the clock struck 9:15.
At 9:15 the lights dimmed, and Finneas and his band took to the stage. He opened the set with "Starfucker," and the audience was screaming at the top of their lungs, especially during the words, “I was such an optimist/But you were such a narcissist.” My eardrums rang from the sound of the screeches coming from the front section during this breakup anthem. The energy continued with "Lotus Eater" and "Cleats,” two undeniable indie songs, played alongside an orange hue from the stage lights, enveloped in beachy vibes. Another song that stood out to me was "Sweet Cherries," where the crowd's enthusiasm was uncanny, singing along to every word. It had more of a smooth, groovy feel, like something off of the Harry Styles self-titled album.
The setlist was a diverse mix of tunes, some pulled from his latest album and others from earlier works, but regardless, this audience had those lyrics memorized. Some more nostalgic songs were “Partners in Crime,” “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” and “I Lost A Friend” from his 2019 album Blood Harmony. The performance of "Angel" was particularly special, as Finneas dedicated it to his girlfriend, Claudia, in celebration of her birthday. The two have been in a relationship for a number of years, and his die-hard fans were ecstatic when Finneas brought her up. Finneas shared a heartfelt anecdote about them saying "I love you" for the first time in Philadelphia during one of Billie’s tours, which felt really special. He told us about how memorable that day had been, and how they spent it walking around the city, with a skip in their step as the magic of those three words set in.
I bawled my eyes out during the performance of “Angel.” The majority of the music played during this show was vulnerable, intense, and sometimes painful. I don’t typically listen to music that makes me so emotional and sad, so the concert was a bit overwhelming, and I shed a lot of tears. Songs “I Lost A Friend” and “Family Feud” were really sad as well, “Family Feud” being a dedication to his sister Billie. It was such a beautiful song that portrayed his unwavering love, pride and protectiveness for his little sister, who he says is “only 22, and the world is watching you.” As a huge Billie fan, this song heavily stood out.
The performance of "Till Forever Falls Apart" was particularly memorable, with powerful drum hits that resonated throughout the venue. The song, which originally features artist Ashe, is one of his most widely streamed singles. It felt like a really intense and epic moment of the show, closing out the night. I met two fellow concert-goers who, like me, attended solo – one drove four hours, and the other six, just to be part of this event. Also – interestingly enough – three different fans in the front row dressed as Elmo, which Finneas thought was hilarious. Finneas was very personable, grabbing a few fans' phones to take photos and videos, and chatting with as many fans as he could throughout the show. He also had the lights come up on the audience at the start of the show so that he could see the faces of his audience members, which I thought was awesome.
Overall, the concert was a testament to Finneas's artistry and his ability to connect deeply with his audience. His lyrics cut deep, their heavy words flowing through the crowd, taking us through an emotional roller coaster. The night felt like a unique experience to be a part of, with a group of people with an undying love for Finneas. You can really tell he is doing what he loves and deserves to be there.
Brenna Hallman
Copyright ©2025 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: February 21, 2025.
Photos ©2025 Muriel Margaret. Courtesy of High Rise PR. All rights reserved.
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