Faith in the Future World Tour is the second concert tour by English singer and songwriter Louis Tomlinson, launched in support of his second studio album Faith in the Future (2022). The tour began in Uncasville on 26 May 2023.^[1]

Background and development

With the release of his second single "Out of My System" on 14 October 2022 for his second album Faith in the Future, Tomlinson officially announced the UK and Europe dates for his would be second world tour via his Twitter and Instagram accounts.^[2][3] On the eve of the album's 11 November 2022 release date, the United States and Canada dates were announced.^[4][5] Faith in the Future debuted at No.1 on the Official Charts and was his first solo album to achieve that position in the UK.^[6][7]

Tomlinson said that Faith in the Future was created with the live shows in mind.^[1] Tomlinson said that, "I was lucky enough to have the two live shows I had before Covid got in the way. That was fresh in me mind when I was writing this whole record and that gave me a lot of confidence. I think that really had a hand in the album feeling more confident as well."^[8] Tom Taylor, the production designer and director for the tour, said that it was intended to have "a more rugged and asymmetrical look" than previous Tomlinson tours, "meant to mirror a sort of dive bar aesthetic rather than a beautiful arena production."^[9]

The following year, opening acts The Snuts, Andrew Cushin, Giant Rooks, The Academic and Snarls were announced for the North America leg of the tour.^[10] Initial Asian concert dates in mid to late April were announced on 3 February 2023;^[11] however, in early April it was announced that they were cancelled for the time being, citing "unforeseen circumstances".^[12] Thus far, a Jakarta date has been rescheduled for January 2024.^[13]

The North America leg commenced in May 2023, and all dates went ahead as planned with the exception of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre concert; before Tomlinson was due to go on stage, there was a hailstorm that injured over 90 people.^[14] Tomlinson wrote a message on Twitter saying "Sending all my love out to everyone that was affected by the extreme weather at Red Rocks last night... I hope everyone has made it home safely and anyone injured is on the mend, it was devastating to see so many of you affected".^[15] The date was unable to be rescheduled.^[16]

After hosting the third Away From Home Festival in Italy on 19 August, Tomlinson kicked off the Europe leg in Hamburg at the end of the month.^[17][18] Openers included The Lathums, Rachel Chinouriri, Ava Lily, and Sea Girls.

The duration of the tour will extend to 2024 as in dates for Australia were added on 18 July 2023.^[19] On 30 October 2023, Tomlinson announced the tour dates for Latin America through social media in addition to local promotional campaigns.^[20] The Latin American leg of the tour will include the Velez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires.^[21]

Critical reception

Sara Feigin from Alternative Press described Tomlinson's debut concert at Irving Plaza in 2022 as "sentimental" and "organic", writing that "his lyricism and vocal abilities were always destined for Britpop".^[22]

Multiple reviewers of the North America leg commented on Tomlinson's "growth" as an artist, the "energy" of his shows, and the connection between him and the audience. Atlas Artist Group's Olivia Khiel wrote in her review of the Phoenix concert that the "strength" of Tomlinson's Faith in the Future album "lent itself to larger scale stage production, a heavy rocking live band and an uncontainable love from millions of fans."^[23] The Amity Collection review of the Troutdale concert agreed the "production was a huge step up from his previous tour, with LED screens hanging from the ceiling of the stage and pyro that went off a handful of times."^[24] Alyssa Rasp of The Aquarian Weekly praised Tomlinson's setlist and wrote in her review of the Asbury Park concert, "Many of his fans have been around since his early days in One Direction, but it was clear that a lot of the crowd were solo Louis fans through-and-through."^[25] The opening acts, such as The Snuts, Giant Rooks, and Andrew Cushin, also received praise.^[26]

Regarding his O2 Arena concert, Fabio Magnocavallo from EUPHORIA wrote that "Tomlinson's sincere and humble demeanor shined every time he spoke to the audience".^[27] Jessica Goodman from DORK praised the tour's production, singling out the video introduction, pyrotechnics and light shows as highlights of the show.^[28]

In November 2023, Rolling Stone gave Louis Tomlinson a nomination for Live Act Award 2023 at the Rolling Stone UK Awards^[29] for his Faith in the Future World Tour.^[30]

Set list

The following set list was obtained from the concert held on 19 June 2023 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.^[31][32]

1. "The Greatest"
2. "Kill My Mind"
3. "Bigger Than Me"
4. "Lucky Again"
5. "Holding On To Heartache"
6. "Face The Music"
7. "We Made It"
8. "Night Changes" (One Direction cover)
9. "Chicago"
10. "Saved By A Stranger"
11. "Written All Over Your Face"
12. "All This Time"
13. "She Is Beauty We Are World Class"
14. "Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy"
15. "Walls"
16. "505" (Arctic Monkeys cover)
17. "Back To You" (rock version)
18. "Angels Fly"
19. "Out Of My System"

    Encore

20. "Where The Broken Hearts Go" (One Direction cover) (with elements of Baba O'Riley by The Who)
21. "Saturdays"
22. "Silver Tongues"

Tour Dates

References