Louis Tomlinson Brings His Biggest Solo Production Yet to San Francisco, CA
Global star Louis Tomlinson brought his How Did We Get Here? Tour to San Francisco, CA this past Saturday. The former One Direction singer returned from a nearly two year touring hiatus to tour his third studio album, How Did I Get Here? His return to the stage was destined, as Tomlinson prides himself in his dedicated fan base whom he feels most intertwined with every time he hits the road.
Tomlinson has historically brought many rising artists to big stages as his support acts. This tour was no different, with rising Welsh indie rock band The Royston Club opening the show. Although they are rapidly rising in the UK, this is their first time touring in North America. The quartet kicked off the show with “Shivers” from their 2025 sophomore album Songs For The Spine, an explosive song introducing San Francisco to their sound. They continued with songs such as “The Patch Where Nothing Grows”, “52”, “Spinning”, and “I’m a Liar”, which were a great introduction to their discography and gradually captured Tomlinson’s fans by the end of their set.
Up next was 4-piece pop band The Aces, who undoubtedly energized the room with their groovy music. They kicked off their set with “Gold Star Baby”, a fun and dancey song which is also the title track of their 2025 disco-pop album. Their stage presence and fun music quickly captured the audience, as they continued with “You Got Me”, “Always Get This Way”, and “Girls Make Me Wanna Die”. “We grew up together, playing music in the garage in suburban Utah, and now here we are opening for all of you before someone as iconic as Louis Tomlinson,” said lead singer Cristal Ramirez.
The crowd eagerly awaited Tomlinson’s arrival as the crew set up the stage for his set. His entrance was preceded by a fan-recorded introduction played through the speakers—a special opportunity offered at every tour stop, where fans could submit recordings for the chance to introduce the show.
Press Photos by Joe Horridge
He kicked off the night with “Lemonade”, the lead single off his latest album, How Did I Get Here. Yellow confetti poured down onto the packed pit during the catchy pop tune, an unexpected but great way to kick off the show. As a long time fan who’s been following him since his debut solo tour in 2022, the production this time around was his most ambitious yet, featuring a catwalk, captivating visuals, and dynamic lighting catered to match each song.
Throughout the night, Tomlinson struck a balance between nostalgia and showcasing his growth as an artist. He included throwbacks from his debut solo album Walls, including a stripped-down acoustic rendition of “Defenceless,” heartfelt fan-favorite “Walls”, and “Kill My Mind”. These reminded longtime fans of the beginning of his solo career, while highlighting how much his live show and confidence on stage has evolved since then.
One of the night’s standout moments came with “Night Changes,” the beloved One Direction classic that instantly transported fans to the band’s peak. Voices echoed throughout the venue as fans embraced the nostalgia.
While the latest album took center stage, his 2022 album Faith in the Future remained well represented. It was especially exciting to hear favorites like “Out of My System,” “Face the Music,” and “Silver Tongues” remain on the setlist. These songs feel tailor-made for live performance, elevated by Tomlinson's full touring band into explosive indie-rock anthems that had the entire crowd jumping from start to finish.
The encore brought “Miss You”, his popular 2017 single which has been banished from Tomlinson’s setlists since his early career. Its unexpected return was met with deafening cheers, making it one of the most exciting moments of the evening for longtime fans like myself who never thought they’d hear this song live again.
He concluded the show with “Palaces”, a loud indie rock song from his recent album. Tomlinson fearlessly jumped off stage and made his way around the barricade, repeatedly launching himself at the crowd. This tradition has become a highly anticipated part of his tours, and is a testament to the unique bond he shares with his fanbase. It was a fitting conclusion to a performance that showcased not only his latest era, but also the unwavering community that has supported him throughout his career.
