It’s been one whole year since Olivia Rodrigo spilled her Guts for us on her epic sophomore album. The Grammy-nominated record saw Olivia dive into a heavier pop-punk and rock sound, full of biting lyrics and her trademark coming-of-age snark. In celebration of what’s sure to become a musical classic, it’s time to check out the top moments from Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts era.
The VMAS ‘Get Him Back!’/ ‘Vampire’ mash-up
If Olivia’s rapid rise to fame raised questions of how she’d perform on the world stage, such concerns were laid to rest with her utterly fierce showing at the 2023 VMAs. Mashing up her heart wrenching ballad ‘Vampire’ with the fiery 2000s throwback ‘get him back!’, Olivia rocked a bright red two piece and partied with a team of back-up dancers giving high school cheerleader energy. But she really kept us on the edge of our seats by recreating the ‘vampire’ music video, as the stage lights around her collapsed into a sea of electrical sparks. Whilst fans left wondering if the danger was genuine or make-believe, nobody could deny Olivia’s performances are the real deal.
The Guts (Spilled) Deluxe Album Release
When devoted Livvies bought Guts on vinyl, they were thrilled to discover four unique hidden tracks spread across different variants. These songs were so good, they only created more desperation in her fandom for an official streaming release! That day finally came with the album’s deluxe drop in March. Guts (spilled) offered up reworked versions of ‘girl i’ve always been’, ‘stranger’ and ‘scared of my guitar’, as well as the high energy new track ‘so american’, rumoured to be about her boyfriend Louis Partridge. Of course, the highlight of the collection was obsessed 💜, a callback to Y2K femme rockers like Paramore and Avril Lavigne. The music video depicted Olivia rocking baby bangs at a convention for ex-girlfriends, where she can’t decide if she’s threatened by them, or perhaps in love with them too…
Her Coachella appearance with No Doubt
No Doubt’s legendary reunion at Coachella 2024 was made even more exciting with a guest appearance from Olivia, who has been a longtime fan of the band and whose own music is heavily influenced by their work. With her hair done up like 90s Gwen Stefani, she belted out ‘Bathwater’ alongside the iconic group, reminding us she’s a talent who can stand among the greats!
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The Guts World Tour
Moving from small theatres on the Sour tour to international arenas on the Guts World Tour gave Olivia room to put on her wildest shows yet. Travelling through Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, this tour has seen Olivia flying over crowds on a hanging moon, crawling over a glass stage and sporting a seemingly endless wardrobe of sequins and riot girl inspired tanks every night. Plus, support acts and guest stars from Pink Pantheress and Breeders to Chappell Roan and Noah Kahan have kept every stop fresh and exciting. The tour also gave back to Olivia’s OG fans with the Silver Star ticket range, promising a small selection of cheap randomised seats for fans who’d otherwise struggle to afford entry. In Manila, Olivia made sure to give special thanks to her Filipino roots, selling all tickets as Silver Stars!
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The Hunger Games single ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’
If earlier Olivia fans craved more of her early ballad-focused sound from Guts, they got it back with her profoundly moving post-album single ‘Can’t Catch Me Now’. This song appears on the soundtrack to the latest instalment in The Hunger Games film series, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, written from the perspective of beloved character Lucy Gray Baird. Olivia seemed a natural fit for the movie, with her teen firestarter spirit, and her connections to The Hunger Games musicians before her like Lorde and Taylor Swift. The beautiful chamber-rock sound of this song saw Olivia take out several film soundtrack-related awards, and expand her catalogue into an increasingly folksy direction.
The Grammys Performance of ‘Vampire’
Whilst Guts has taken Olivia down a more upbeat rock path, her roots in musical theatre still shine through in her most vocally challenging tracks. She took the stage at the 2024 Grammys to remind us of her singing chops, delivering a powerful rendition of ‘Vampire’ that tugged at the heartstrings of anyone listening. Referencing the song’s story of a “blood sucker” of a person, Olivia appeared to bleed out throughout the performance, reminding us she’s still got a flair for the dramatic!
