Louis Tomlinson celebrated the release of his third studio album, 'How Did I Get Here?', with a concert at Racket NYC in Chelsea on January 23. The intimate venue, holding just 650 people, highlighted his shift toward a more personal performance style compared to larger past shows. Fans praised the new indie-pop direction of his music.
On January 23, Louis Tomlinson took the stage at Racket NYC, a small venue in Chelsea with a capacity of 650, to mark the launch of his third album, 'How Did I Get Here?'. This contrasted with his previous album release at Irving Plaza, which accommodates over 1,000. Tomlinson shared the announcement via Instagram in partnership with SiriusXM, providing presale access for fans.
The setlist opened with 'Written All Over Your Face' from his second album, 'Faith in the Future', and included the debut of 'Jump the Gun' from the new release. Over an hour, he played 16 tracks, featuring six from the fresh album, such as singles 'Lemonade', 'Palaces', and 'Imposter', plus live premieres of 'Broken Bones' and 'Lazy'. The album itself contains 12 songs lasting 36 minutes, with 'Lemonade' dropping in September 2025.
Tomlinson expressed his excitement to the crowd: 'There’s been a lot of anticipation leading up to today. I’ve been really really excited to show off this new record. Thank you for all your support.' He added, 'I feel a new sense of confidence in this record, and that is all down to you lot.'
Unlike his earlier pop-rock works exploring grief and heartbreak, this album adopts an indie-pop vibe infused with alternative, funk, and synth-pop elements, delving into fame, love, reflection, and nostalgia. It was recorded in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, during three weeks in early 2025, where the relaxed setting influenced its laid-back tone. Tomlinson attributed his boldness to experiences from prior tours, noting in a Jimmy Fallon interview: 'It’s always really important for me that we share our success together, me and the fans... I wouldn’t be playing those rooms without them.'
Looking ahead, Tomlinson's third global tour, 'How Did We Get Here?', will run from March to July across Europe and the US, shifting to larger arenas. He plans a return to New York for a sold-out Madison Square Garden show on July 8—his first solo appearance there since One Direction's December 2012 concert. Reflecting on his path in a Zach Sang podcast, he said: 'If you’re a fan and you come to Madison Square Garden, just be in awe of the situation like me and celebrate that shit together... some of my fans still never thought I’d be at that kind of thing.'
