After hearing colleagues talk about this new artist named Billie Eilish for months, I finally booked a gig photographing her first tour in Chicago. The venue’s capacity was 165 people. After the show, Billie’s mom asked me if I wanted a photo with her. I turned her down, since I was working and felt weird about mixing work with fun fan behavior. (Do I regret that now? Absolutely.) But at the time, I had no idea that within 2 years she’d become one of the biggest artists on the planet, fully sweeping the Grammy’s, alongside her brother Finneas. Despite missing that photo opportunity, we all still ended up meeting the next morning in a serendipitous twist of fate—but again, I don’t have any photos of that encounter. It’s one of those stories that will stay a story, and in an over-chronicled world, I kind of like that.
As soon as the show ended, I messaged my colleagues. I don’t remember my exact words, but they were along the lines of, “Holy crap! Wow, You were right! Billie is amazing. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next.” Three and a half years later, I’m still proud of the images I created on that chilly Chicago night and three and a half years later, we haven’t stopped saying those words: “Holy crap. Wow. Billie is amazing. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next.”
Also, I love how much y’all have loved these images! If you share them, please tag me (@estorie on Instagram, @estorieco on Twitter, @estoriethegirl on Tik Tok—eventually my handle will be the same on everything) and link back to this post.
Fun fact: the first time I ever went to this venue (in about 2010), I stumbled across what is now my favourite place to get tacos in the entire world, so that was also a monumental day.
Were you at this show? Comment and let me know!
The very first Billie Eilish set list ever: if you snagged it after her set, let me know! I’m so curious!
Do I also regret not buying a hoodie or tee at the very first Billie Eilish tour? The answer is yes.