Olivia Rodrigo GUTS World Tour review - the voice of Gen Z girlhood makes it look so easy

Olivia Rodrigo is a rockstar.

It's been over a two years since she properly launched with global smash hit 'drivers licence'. The track quickly became the definitive teenage heartbreak anthem of our time. Fast forward through three GRAMMYs, her debut tour and worldwide recognition, and Rodrigo sits as the definitive spokesperson for Gen Z girlhood.

For her final show of her first North American leg, she concludes at the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York. The floor is littered with purple boa feathers and young girls in silver sequin skirts. Thousands of fans are watching candles spell out the word 'GUTS' onscreen before slowly melting away; Olivia Rodrigo is nearly here.

The pop-princess appears onstage, the crowd booming with the force of a sold out crowd of teenage fangirls. It's so loud they miss their cue to start singing, but quickly get back on track. A long way from her Disney days, Rodrigo, who looks like a model and sings like a Broadway star, tells us. "New York, this is going to be a great fucking night!" as she chants the chorus to 'bad idea right?'

Rodrigo's songs address topics that will go over the heads of some of the younger fans in the crowd. "Everything I do is tragic, every guy I like is gay!" she laments in 'ballad of a homeschooled girl' as she skips, prances and stomps across her stage, every bit embodying the megastar she has become.

The entire show is a balancing act – from her glittery two-piece sets paired with chunky Doc Martens to the way she effortlessly transitions from pop-punk anthems to thoughtful ballads, she is constantly spinning four or five different plates. She makes it look easy.

Perhaps it's that she, at only twenty two years old, still talks like a young girl, asking the crowd if they're a Pisces and claiming that trading a fan a guitar pick for a one-inch tall Sylvanian Families mouse is "literally the best thing ever". Perhaps it's her ability to put voice to universal experiences like heartbreak, jealousy, and betrayal with stark honesty. Whatever it is, there's somehow no pretence with Olivia Rodrigo. Her smiles to fans seem earnest, even her hair flips feel authentic. To sell out a vast arena and fill it with your presence is one thing, but to do so while still coming across as relatable is another entirely.

She sits at a piano for fan favourites 'traitor' and vampire, followed by GUTS album closer 'teenage dream'.The latter is a song about being "so terrified to grow up" Rodrigo tells us. "But if I could tell my 18-year-old self one thing, it would be that growing up is fucking awesome." she explains to a tearful audience, clearly touched by her assurance that things would be alright.

Soon, she ditches the piano in favour of a crescent moon which flies her around the venue, as little pockets of screams and "I love you's!" break out. At times the energy in the room is indistinguishable from that of a sixteenth birthday sleepover, as she instructs us, "if you're here with your best friend, or your mum, give them a big hug."

After a quick change into a bright red body-hugging jumpsuit, she runs back on stage. As beautiful as her vocals are, her energetic rock-y anthems are where she really shines. For 'brutal', 'obsessed', and 'all-american bitch', she runs and jumps like a woodland sprite, singing her cultural commentaries with a faux solemness: "I am light as a feather, I'm as fresh as the air/Coca-Cola bottles that I only use to curl my hair."

The song culminates with Rodrigo commanding the audience to "think of something that really, really pisses you off, and scream at it! As loud as you can!" Thousands of voices scream into the abyss, joined together in a joyous moment of pure, unadulterated rage. If there's one thing you'll take away from Olivia Rodrigo's concert, it's that her success was built on her understanding of one, fundamental truth; you should never, under any circumstances, underestimate the righteous anger of a teenage girl.

Olivia Rodrigo's continues through Europe, with more dates just announced for her first trip into Asia and Australia.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. MAY 2025.

Touching down in Scotland, a country he had barely ventured to before, Jacob was filled with thought. He had flown out from Miami the day after the race, making sure the week off he had for Imola was put to good use.

His race in Miami he was happy with, yet it was obvious Thierry was bitter. The momentum had shifted since that article was published about their highly publicised rivalry. Fans were all over social media platforms with some making reaches so absurd Jake couldn't help but laugh at them.

There was still this nagging doubt in the back of his mind that the rumours were right and Thierry was romantically linked to Sabrina, a ghost of Olivia's past. Could her new song really be about him? All these doubts plagued his mind but he tried to reassure himself, as well as Jaxon and Sophie, that Thierry was one of his longest friends and would definitely consider the complications of the situation.

For Sophie and Jaxon, they were both doing well. Jaxon had recently returned from a short break to Barbados with his girlfriend Hailee, they both came to the Miami Grand Prix and she seemed very lovely and kind and the two made a pretty good couple.

As for Sophie, to the best of Jake's knowledge, she currently wasn't seeing anyone but was still busying herself in her career. She had been travelling for promotional tours of her new films as well as landing more roles and setting herself up to be a contender for prestigious acting awards such as BAFTAs and the Oscars.

Jacob had arrived the day before Olivia's two consecutive shows in Glasgow and would be joining her until her second night in Birmingham. He was disappointed he couldn't attend her London shows, but he had to fly out to Italy.

She had been telling him how much fun she had been having on tour, and due to such popular demand she had extended her tour by a few more months. Jacob was sceptical at first, but Olivia argued that if he could do ten months of travelling and racing for his F1 season, she could do that for singing.

And although she would never admit it to him, Jacob knew that deep down this was slightly influenced by the return of Sabrina. Extending her tour to new locations like Asia and Australia would just grow her already dominant fanbase even more. Olivia wasn't petty, but she was definitely insecure of Sabrina and felt like she needed to almost 'prove' herself as the bigger artist.

The air in Scotland was a change from the weather in Miami, it was raining so as soon as he stepped outside of the airport he had to pull up the hood of his McLaren raincoat. He insisted that he would take a taxi to Olivia's hotel, saving her the trouble of coming all the way out. She was reluctant and stubborn but eventually agreed.

Jake spotted Olivia waiting in the hotel lobby once his Uber dropped him off.  It didn't take her long to notice him and she rush into his arms.

"I've missed you so much." Olivia said, her voice muffled against his chest.

"I've missed you too, Liv." Jake replied, holding her tightly.

The day before Olivia's first concert in Glasgow, they decided to explore the city together. They walked hand-in-hand through the streets, visiting landmarks like the Glasgow Cathedral and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. They strolled along the River Clyde, talking about everything that had happened in the past few months they were away. They filled each other in on the calls they would have, but there were always a few small details forgotten.

"I'm so proud of you, Jake," Olivia said as they sat down for lunch at a coffee shop, "you've had an incredible start to the season."

"Thanks, Liv, it's been decent. It's not as amazing as what you're doing," Jake replied, smiling, "I can't wait to see you perform tomorrow night."

They spent their time at the coffee shop just talking, there was a period of conversation where it was about the resurfacing of her past drama with Sabrina and Josh. 

"Don't pay them too much mind, I think they're just using your fame to give themselves some," Jake theorised, "why else would they release songs now? Especially Josh."

Jake was definitely pissed off with Josh, the audacity to cheat on his ex-girlfriend and then release a song about missing her over two years after when she was in a happy relationship was just taking the piss.

He was yet to figure out what Sabrina was doing, it didn't seem like her new song had anything to do with Liv. It seemed like she was in a new romantic relationship and just wanted the flaunt it - perhaps she was jealous that Olivia had moved on from the whole situation and was now better off whereas she went into a small hiatus after her two songs about the situation, 'Skin' and 'All because I liked a boy'.

Some of the theories fans online had come with speculated that Sabrina was using Thierry to get back at Liv and Jake but Jake was certain Thierry wasn't stupid enough to let himself get used. Or maybe that was what the desperation Sabrina was referring to in her song was about...

After their conversation, the rest of the day just involved visiting shops and just enjoying the company of one another, it felt like no time had passed since they were last together.

The following day passed quickly until it was time for Olivia's performance in the evening. The OVO Hydro was buzzing with excitement as fans eagerly awaited Olivia's performance. Backstage, Olivia was getting ready, her nerves and anticipation building. Jake was by her side, offering words of encouragement.

"You've got this, Liv. You're going to be amazing out there. I'll see you later." he said, giving her a reassuring smile.

For the first time, rather than watching from the wings Jake had a seat where everyone else was sat, he was near the front and had a direct view of Olivia performing. With a drink in his hand, he sat down and waited for his girlfriend to take to the stage.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in cheers, Olivia took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. The energy in the arena was electric, and she fed off the enthusiasm of her fans. Song after song, she captivated the audience with her powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics.

Halfway through the concert, Olivia paused and looked out at the sea of faces. "Glasgow! How are we doing?"

Cheers erupted from all around Jake, as he clapped and cheered too.

"I love this city, it's so pretty. But no matter how hard I try to fit in...I can't help but feel so American!"

More cheers exploded around the stadium and a grin spread across Jake's face, he knew what this meant. His heart swelled with emotion as Olivia started singing the opening lines. He had obviously never heard the song live before and seeing her perform it made him fall in love with her a million times all over again.

As she sang. "And he laughs at all my jokes and he says I'm so American." Olivia's gaze locked with Jake's as he smiled and blew her a subtle kiss which she returned slightly later on in the song. The fans around Jake had their cameras out and the Thompson knew that as well as filming Olivia, they were filming his reaction too. He wasn't acting for the cameras, the smile that wouldn't leave his face wasn't for camera, it was his genuine reaction for seeing his girlfriend on stage. He had so much love for her.

After the show, Jake made his way backstage, where Olivia was waiting for him. She looked radiant, her face flushed with the adrenaline of the performance.

"You were incredible, Liv," Jake said, pulling her into a hug, "the songs...the outfit changes...the dancing...that fucking shit with a moon! It was amazing."

"Thank you," Olivia whispered, tears of happiness in her eyes, "I'm glad you enjoyed."

"My girl," he beamed, pulling her in for a kiss and placing his hand on her cheek, "forever and always."

They spent the rest of the night celebrating, surrounded by Olivia's team and close friends who were also at the concert. The atmosphere was filled with joy and pride, and Jake couldn't have been happier to be there for Olivia's big night.

As the evening wound down, Jake and Olivia managed to enjoy quiet moment together. They stood on the balcony of their hotel room, overlooking the city lights of Glasgow. They stood in a content silence, Jake's arms resting on the balcony ledge whilst Olivia was next to him, occasionally turning to admire Jake.

Jake was content, he was happy to get a slight break from the chaos of the Formula One season and spend it with Olivia. Her concert was amazing and he couldn't wait for the next few concerts he got to attend.

"Look at what everyone's saying online." Olivia said, breaking the silence and showing Jake her phone. There were a range of tweets, all her fans reminiscing and commenting on the spectacular show Olivia just put on.

"Awww you were blushing?" Olivia laughed as Jake kept a straight face.

"No..."

"You so were! You know deep down you're a massive romantic!" Olivia said.

Jake shook his head. "That's what you do to me Liv."

He looked at her phone and read the final tweet that he could see. "Oh yeah," I remember that, "that was quite bold of you Miss Rodrigo."

When that moment happened, a range of emotions went through Jake's head but the predominant one was definitely 'Fuck my girlfriend is so hot.'

Olivia smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "What can I say, it's true."

Jake raised his eyebrow. "Oh is it now?"

"A hundred percent." Liv replied, grabbing Jake's hand before leading him back inside towards the bed and pulling him in for a passionate kiss, the two of them falling onto their hotel bed.

Jake, with all the restraint her could muster pulled away from the kiss to speak. "Babe...you need an early night. You're performing again tomorrow."

Olivia hastily reconnected her lips to his, her hands slipping under Jake's shirt and wrapping around his waist.

"Haven't I told you already? I meant what I sang."

And she definitely did, for Jake and Olivia definitely did not have the early night her manager would've wanted to prepare for her concert again tomorrow...