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Louis Tomlinson is featured in Disrupted Magazine [Sep 2024 Issue 21] for his performance at FESTNINGEN FESTIVAL [30.8.2024, Trondheim, Norway].

Louis Tomlinson: Why Taking Care Of Your Fanbase Matters.

Article by Nathalie Knudsen. Photograph by Arne Staverløkk

Louis Tomlinson’s performance at Festningen was nothing short of a testament to the deep devotion of his fans and the profound connection he and they share. Fans traveled from all over the world just to witness his set at the Norwegian festival and began queuing outside the festival grounds at dawn, even prompting security to implement an entirely new queuing system just to accommodate the growing crowd of patient fans. This dedication is a reflection of the unique relationship Tomlinson shares with his fanbase — one that has remains strong since his One Direction days. For them, this was no ordinary festival appearance, but an opportunity to witness the artistry of someone they’ve supported for years.

Tomlinson took the stage relatively early in the day, at 5:30 PM after Ramón’s fiery performance, but the crowd was already large and continuously increasing. He kept his performance grounded in his signature, laid-back style, walking casually on stage for his entrance and keeping interactions with the crowd intimate and personal, even with thousands watching. While some artists may seize a festival setting to put on an elaborate, attention-grabbing show, Louis delivered something far more intimate and sincere. Performing tracks from his solo discography, telling stories of personal relationships and his deep connection with his fans, Louis showcased his rock-infused pop sound, which may surprise those only familiar with his One Direction work. Even when he played some of the band’s classics, they felt re-energized within his solo show, offering a fresh take on familiar favorites. Throughout the set, fans watched attentively, absorbing every lyric and appreciating the genuine, unpretentious nature of his performance. Louis has never been one for showy theatrics, preferring instead to let his authenticity speak for itself. As his performance drew to a close, Louis followed his tradition of jumping into the crowd, blurring the line between artist and audience. It was a fitting gesture for an artist so closely tied to his fanbase, reinforcing the genuine connection they share.

In a way that is only accurate for great live performers, Tomlinson’s songs truly come alive on stage. His music, while heartfelt and introspective, carries an energy that’s best experienced live, and his set left the audience ecstatic and energized. This is an artist who has grown into his own, and he’s delivering shows that are real and authentic, and he is continuously and carefully deepening the special bond he shares with his fanbase. Despite his global success, he continues to prioritize keeping ticket and merch prices as affordable and accessible as possible, doing free signings and making efforts to meet fans after shows. He has always emphasize that his relationship with his fans is a “team effort”, a sentiment found to be true as fans of all ages and from all over the world came to support him at a seemingly random festival in the middle of Norway.  

[ifwethinkandwishandhopeandpray]

oh my god im from nz and dont know at all what you're talking about when you mention larrie and wellington, if it doesnt hurt too much can you please give me a rundown?

anon, i feel honoured to be the one to introduce you to one of the most iconic pieces of fandom history:

the wellington video 

the date was april 22nd 2012. they were touring UAN. louis and harry were captured on camera being super intimate outside of a bar in wellington, new zealand. they’re both clearly drunk (louis likely more than harry) and their inhibitions are lowered and, despite being in public and knowing that fans are across the street watching them, you can see louis go in to kiss harry. the video is super blurry but it’s obvious what’s going on.

here’s the video: 

and here are some gifs:

it’s also worth noting that some people hear louis yell ‘BOYFRIEND!’ at harry in the video (i just hear drunken yelling personally)

louis was SO HAMMERED.  here’s a video of them coming back to the hotel after:

other notable wellington things:

harry giving the camera what appears to be a thumbs up 

louis’ reaction to another group of fans earlier in the night asking how how eleanor is and then talking about how cute his twitter is (he legit headdesks it’s not a positive interaction)

harry tweeted this just a few hours after wellington:

also louis’ family denied it was him and harry which … lmao … that just makes it more obvious something hella suspicious was going on

this person claims to have met the wellington girl

the wellington video went on to spurn a number of memorable fandom memes like ‘the wellington potato camera’ (whenever we get video of something [usually involving louis and harry] and the quality is shit we say it was filmed with the wellington camera]) and joking that anyone who mentions seeing louis and harry out together somewhere is hidden away on some deserted island by 1dhq with the girls who filmed the wellington video.

here’s sir ian mckellen talking about wellington and how the boys missed a set tour for the hobbit because they’d been out drinking the night before (i.e. wellington video) and harry and louis’ reactions are amazing (this was on graham norton during four promo)

and here’s a picture lottie posted while on tour with the boys in 2014 in new york with ‘wellington’ prominently in the frame

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What's the Wellington video

Step into my office, take a seat, have a cocktail. Its story telling time. 

It was a dark and stormy night (it wasn’t but it sounds cool), almost two years to the date when Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson decided to embark on a night out on the town and let their hair down and indulge in some wine and spirits. Seems innocent enough, yes?

No. 

As the eve wore on, inhibitions were cast into the wind, which brings us to the most riveting part of the story. Amongst a crowd of onlookers and filmed through the lens of a 1985 handy cam with a used coffee filter over it, Harry and Louis did the unthinkable,

(x)

“they’re kissing!” - direct quote from a girl who is probably no longer with us.

Hours later, a still drunk in love Styles added some parting thoughts. 

*closes book*

And that my friend, is the legend of Wellington.

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Louis is wearing a Vetements Kiss Titanic Split logo Hoodie in Black on his latest ig story!

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via louist91's Instagram story - 11/9

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04/07

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Louis with a fan at the airport in Munich. (8 September 2024)

x

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Louis is part of the lineup of Lollapalooza India next year in March - 10.09

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Louis on stage at Superbloom - 08.09

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Trending on Twitter [8.9.2024]

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Louis on stage at Superbloom photographed by Sabrina Berretz

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Louis is currently in the crowd enjoying the rest of the Superbloom Festival - 08.09

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8/9/24

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August 5, 2024 - Louis during his press conference in Chile a few months ago!

Photographed by Andie Borie

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Louis is wearing an Amiri Staggered Wave Tee in Black/Red on stage at Lollapalooza Berlin.

Featuring waves as an enduring motif recalling the Malibu surf, illustrated with a watercolor rendition of the staggered logo at chest and across the back.

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louis wearing 100% silk shouldn't be this hot but. yk YES