"Front of the Line” is a recurring series where GBH News' Haley Lerner explores fan culture and talks to the people who show up first in line to see their favorite musicians.
Louis Tomlinson inspired fans to line up in the wee hours of the morning ahead of his first of two shows at MGM Music Hall in Fenway.
His pop rock music filled the theater Monday night, with concertgoers turning out to see songs from his latest album, “Faith in the Future,” along with fan favorite songs from his days as a member of One Direction, including “Night Changes” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
Tomlinson’s mother died of leukemia in 2016. And in 2019, his younger sister died of a drug overdose. His perseverance through difficult times inspires his fans, who say his music and his live persona provides comfort.
As Tomlinson has traveled from city to city on this tour, many fans of the English singer have followed along. Ri Caceda has already been to 20 shows on his current tour. Forsaking a hotel during her trip, she stays in her car when she’s not in line waiting to enter the music venues. She showed up the night prior to line up for the Monday show — and is staying for Tomlinson’s second Boston performance on Tuesday.
“I love this man so bad. I love him so much,” Caceda said. “The connection between him and his fans is so strong. He’s super humble about his upbringing and what he’s been through, so you know he’s super appreciative of what we do for him.”
While Caceda certainly is taking Tomlinson fandom to a new level, Dannie Amador is no slouch. She came to Boston to see Tomlinson perform for her 11th time, driving from New Jersey to have the experience.
“It’s something so intimate you share, being front row,” she said. “With Louis, there’s no one in front of you, so you literally feel like it's just you and him, main character moment. Dopamine rush.”'
Jessica Torres, from Queens, New York, agreed that the community Tomlinson has created with fans is special.
“Louis, he’s so eager to release music just so he can go on tour and I'm like 'Wow, you want to see us so bad.' The last time I saw him was last year. He’s calling my name, it’s been too long,” she said. “I came early because some fans of his are crazy. We’re not crazy! Just dedicated.”
Audrey Imbeault and Emma Barbieri both came from Canada to Boston for Tomlinson's show this week — and they plan to see him on multiple other dates throughout his tour.
“He’s an artist that makes me feel I’m in a safe place. These shows make me feel like I can forget about everything else. It’s so comforting to have him in front of you,” Imbeault said. “You know he loves you the same you love him. He always reminds us that he cares about us.”
“I’ve only seen him front row once before, so not having anyone in front of me is so fun,” Barbieri said. “I just love his music. And he has such a good relationship with fans that you don't find with most other artists, and as someone who loves a lot of other artists I feel like I can say that pretty confidently.”
Many of the loyal fans at the front of the line came equipped with signs they hoped would make Tomlinson notice them in the crowd and give them a coveted moment of interaction with their idol.
Barbieri and Imbeault both brought signs for Tomlinson to see from the front row. Barbieri’s states “Thumbs up for Canadians who drove here (me),” while Imbeault’s displays the words “Your voice grows the prettiest flowers.”
Caceda had two signs: one encouraging Tomlinson to jump on her, and another that says “Pls draw me a love heart” with a spot for Tomlinson to draw, in the hopes he could draw a symbol that she could get as a tattoo. “I want that on my body forever,” she said.
And the loyal fans that secured front row positions did get their up close and personal moments with Tomlnson. For the final song of the night, “Silver Tongues,” he came off the stage and sang over the barricade to his fans.
“A massive, massive thank you to every single person in here,” Tomlinson said during the show. “This is by far my favorite part of this job, I don't get to do these shows without all you incredible people, so thank you, thank you, thank you.”
