“Billie Eilish Electrifies Quebec: A Telecaster-Powered Tour Kickoff”

Billie Eilish, the pop sensation known for her haunting vocals and boundary-pushing sound, just cranked up the voltage on her live performances. As the Hit Me Hard And Soft tour thundered to life in Quebec on September 29, Eilish unleashed a new weapon in her musical arsenal: a sleek Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Dark Night finish.

The Centre Vidéotron erupted as Eilish strapped on her new six-string, diving into an electrifying rendition of “Happier Than Ever.” This wasn’t just any performance; it was a statement. Eilish, traditionally associated with ethereal vocals and minimalist production, was now wielding the raw power of an electric guitar.

While Eilish is no stranger to acoustic sets, often sharing intimate moments with her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell, this marked a bold step into new territory. The Quebec show saw Eilish flying solo for stripped-down versions of “Male Fantasy,” “Skinny,” and “TV,” with Finneas absent due to conflicts with his own tour schedule.

Finneas, who recently dropped two Acoustasonic signature guitars with Fender, has been a vocal advocate for Eilish’s guitar work. In a recent Guitar World interview, he revealed, “I always try to get her to play as much as she’s willing to on our records because, even though she feels like she’s less experienced, I really like her sensibilities.”

The 26-song setlist was a treasure trove for fans, featuring live debuts of tracks from Eilish’s third album, including “Blue,” “The Diner,” and “Chihiro.” But it was the moment Eilish strummed those first electric chords that will likely be etched in fans’ memories.