Billie Eilish surprises fans with ‘Happier Than Ever’ set at Amoeba LA

With just a few hours notice, Amoeba Hollywood had a line forming around the block. But customers weren’t queued for an exclusive record release; Instead, they were there for you spontaneous live performance by 20-year-old Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish.

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of her second studio album, Happier Than Ever, and on Friday afternoon she went to her legendary record store in her hometown for an acoustic performance of a selection from the record.

Fans thronged every corner of Amoeba’s new Hollywood location to see the singer perform a four-song set. Finneas, the singer’s brother, producing partner and touring mate, joined her on stage with an acoustic guitar and backing vocals. After opening with “Billie Bossa Nova” and performing “TV” from her recent EP, “Guitar Songs,” Eilish let the crowd dictate the next song, leading to a passionate roaring match that ended at “Getting Older.” ‘ ended. Eventually, the dynamic energy of the record’s title track translated incredibly well into acoustic form, spurring an inspired sing-along from the crowd that Eilish led effortlessly as the set’s closing number. At the end of the performance, the singer thanked the crowd and left the fans with the biggest Billie Eilish mic drop possible: “And happy ‘Happier Than Ever’ anniversary bitch.”

Between songs, Eilish thanked fans for coming at such short notice to see her and Finneas perform, noting that the one-year anniversary of “Happier Than Ever” also falls on her brother’s 25th birthday.

Reflecting on the record’s anniversary, Eilish told the crowd, “You guys are just the best. It’s been the most amazing year and you’ve been so sweet and respectful with this album and I just love you!”

Amoeba employees told diversity that 500 tickets were sold for the surprise show, in addition to various invited guests — an immensely different performance environment than the 10,000+ capacity arenas that Eilish has comfortably sold out on tour. Nonetheless, Eilish and Finnea brought enthusiasm, professionalism and sparkle to the intimate set, providing the fans in attendance with an immersive musical experience.

The siblings are in the middle of a month-long hiatus from their Happier Than Ever world tour in support of the album, which kicked off in early February at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and is scheduled to end in Perth, Australia in late September. Eilish’s most recent outing in Los Angeles ahead of the Amoeba set was a bombastic stretch with three dates at the Kia Forum in early April that diversity‘s Chris Willman has been praised for his expansive setlist and Eilish’s ability to use her shows as positive thought spaces for her fans.

“Happier Than Ever” was released on July 30, 2021 through Darkroom and Interscope Records and was an instant commercial success with 238,000 first-week sales and a #1 debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Songs like “Therefore I Am” and “Your Power” broke out as popular singles, while the title track became an established show closer on tour and on recent festival sets. The record received Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

.@billieeilish and @Finneas carry out #Happier than ever at a surprise performance at AMOEBA Hollywood 🎶 pic.twitter.com/qvSFlBZhtj

— Variety (@variety) July 29, 2022