A Sold-Out Start: Hayley Williams Opens Her First Solo Tour in Atlanta

On March 27, Hayley Williams–best known as the lead vocalist of Paramore–opened her first highly anticipated, and completely sold-out solo Hayley Williams at a Bachelorette Party Tour.  Fans lined the streets outside The Tabernacle, wrapping around the block as they waited to enter the intimate venue for night one of two sold-out Atlanta shows. Water From Your Eyes opened the night with an experimental set that introduced the crowd to a contrasting sound. Their set effectively warmed up the crowd for the evening ahead. 

As instruments were set up on stage, the anticipation continued to grow. Suddenly the room went dark and it was showtime.  Joined on stage by Paramore’s touring band—much to the audience’s surprise—Williams kicked off the night with “Mirtazipine,” immediately sending the crowd into a frenzy. The crowd jumped in unison as the barricade rocked beneath the energy of the front row. After finishing this first song, the cheers continued for nearly 30 seconds, setting the tone for the rest of the show. Williams has expressed eagerness to embark on a solo tour since releasing her first solo record in 2020, and that long-awaited opportunity was evident in her energy throughout the night. 

As the night went on, Williams and her band maintained a captivating energy. Playing her latest album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party in full, the band’s energy, paired with the album’s vulnerability, proved contagious. As if the opening applause wasn’t enough, throughout the entire night, the crowd was among the loudest in recent memory. Many of the album’s songs were performed live for the first time, making the experience even more special for the audience.As the night went on, Williams and her band maintained a captivating energy. The order chosen for the set list was intentional and kept the audience engaged throughout the entire night.

The stage design was a standout element of the performance. White sheets draped over pianos and across the stage served as projection screens and made the stage visuals come to life in a way that I have never seen before. Seashells and hanging lights added distinct visual texture to the stage and nicely complemented the sound of the music that was being played. Many stage details made the show memorable—Williams even set up a megaphone behind her microphone to create live vocal effects during “Ice in my OJ” and “Brotherly Love.” 

Closing the night with her most popular solo song “Parachute,” the crowd screamed every lyric alongside Williams, creating a memorable and emotional finale. She also invited Josh Scogin on stage to sing the bridge and final chorus along with her.It was a fitting close to the night and a strong start to her first solo tour.The performance set the tone for what promises to be a memorable run of intimate shows.