21 Avr Louis Tomlinson, Pale Waves and ADMT at the LDLC Arena: How Did We Get Here?

A look back at this amazing evening of April 15.

Once again, here we are for the umpteenth time this 25/26 season at the stunning LDLC Arena, a magnificent venue where we absolutely love seeing our favorite artists perform. It has to be said that since it opened, the arena has never disappointed: the sound quality is excellent, and it’s always a pleasure to come here.

The evening kicks off with ADMT. Hailing from Doncaster, the young artist delivers a 7-song set: Homeless, Burn Brighter, Overboard, North, Best Friend, Turn the Page, and Cover to Cover. Accompanied by a guitarist, he offers a fantastic preview of his debut album, set for release on May 15, titled From Good to Bad and Then Back Again. His lyrics touch on poverty, housing issues, youth education, and mental health… and it’s a real success.

The energy is infectious, and our dear Adam Taylor (his real name—you now understand his stage name!) proves he was a very smart choice to open the night. You can feel his genuine passion and strong convictions in his music, which is truly beautiful to witness. The audience naturally responds with enthusiasm, especially since they had the chance to meet him outside the venue and right after his set: he came to greet fans in the front rows and chat with them! Perhaps he even did the same with Sound of Brit… to be continued.

Next up is a more established band—none other than Pale Waves! A truly premium opening act tonight, with a well-rehearsed trio delivering a nine-song set, including a cover: Zombie by The Cranberries. The rest of the set features Eighteen, Perfume, Not a Love Song, Television Romance, My Obsession, Kiss Me Again, Jealousy, and of course the stunning She’s My Religion. Excellent choices that immerse us in a simply delightful atmosphere.

The moment is absolutely brilliant—the live versions breathe new life into the songs, and the performance is nothing short of impressive. The connection with the audience is just as strong, and the lighting adds a real extra dimension to the show. Just like with ADMT, cameras follow the performance, drawing us even deeper into the world of these Mancunian artists. As the final notes ring out, there’s only one thought: we can’t wait to see them again headlining their own show—and as soon as possible!

Finally, it’s time for the night’s main star: Louis Tomlinson. Allow me a small personal note here, but I must admit I’m clearly not the target audience tonight: How Did I Get Here?, as the title of the Englishman’s third album so aptly puts it. Coming mainly for the opening acts, I have to admit my curiosity was still sparked by this date. Not particularly convinced by his first two albums, this latest release in January had somewhat reconciled me with the Doncaster native, now moving into a more pop-rock universe.

Looking back a few hours earlier, the first shock came while getting on the tram: made up of about 95% women (yes, really!), I found myself realising I had almost forgotten this was a former One Direction member… so many years have passed! There’s a feeling very similar to the Eras Tour here: the atmosphere is incredibly warm, smiles are everywhere, and outfits are carefully put together. The few men present are scattered around, exchanging smiles, and in the end you can only acknowledge how genuinely pleasant the vibe is.

But the boyband era is behind us, and the now 34-year-old (born on December 24!) is determined to defend his latest material tooth and nail. For this tour, Louis could easily have opted for a venue like the Accor Arena, especially since demand in Lyon seemed strong enough to fill the LDLC Arena. The venue is therefore not completely sold out, despite very affordable ticket prices, but the big night has arrived nonetheless—and to our great pleasure!

But let’s get back to the music. At 9:10 p.m., the lights finally go out after a couple of minor incidents in the pit, and Lemonade starts as if it were the obvious choice—it is, in fact, the opening track of this latest album. Confetti even makes an appearance for this burst of pop energy, the perfect way to kick off the concert. A total of 23 songs follow over 1 hour and 30 minutes: 13 from the latest album, 9 from the previous two, as well as Miss You and Just Hold On. A fairly balanced setlist that feels well structured overall.

Musically, the band accompanying Louis Tomlinson is completely on point tonight. The solos are executed flawlessly, the harmonies are rich and enjoyable, and there’s a real added layer that elevates the performance. However, the English singer’s voice is unfortunately struggling a bit more this evening: he is sick, coughing repeatedly, but still chose to go ahead with the show. His musicians sometimes support him vocally, and despite everything, the result remains solid.

Dressed in a Nike tracksuit, the British artist also keeps his interaction with the crowd fairly minimal. Exchanges are present but discreet, with only a few gestures of affection toward fans in the front rows. It’s said that this is simply part of his usual stage presence, as he is not particularly known for being very talkative on stage. The “barricade run” during the final song could have added a stronger moment of connection, but it has in fact been discontinued since this night.

On the production side, we can only admit there was real attention to detail. Whether it was the lighting, the screens, the lasers, or the cinematic sequences, each song immersed us in a distinct atmosphere, much to our enjoyment. Even if we wouldn’t have minded a few more confetti drops—or even some pyrotechnics… But with such affordable ticket prices, it’s hard to ask for more. Unless, of course, more of the budget had gone into merchandising… It’s rare to see so many people crowding the stands; absolute madness!

We leave the LDLC Arena (for the last time this season!) with the feeling of having witnessed three excellent sets tonight. Of course, there is a slight sense of frustration, as we are convinced that Louis Tomlinson can deliver a much stronger show when he is fully fit, but we can already consider ourselves lucky that a date was even scheduled in the regions: he is the first former One Direction member to perform outside Paris in France! A point worth noting…

Pssst! Stay tuned—our interview with ADMT is coming soon…

[The Pale Waves photo was taken at Badaboum in 2018 by Céline Guignier]