Young pop-rock singer Olivia Rodrigo has become a defining voice of her generation in the music industry since her debut in 2021. Her first album “SOUR,” which she primarily wrote at only 17 years old, was incredibly successful, earning her three Grammy Awards, including 2022 Best New Artist. In 2022, “Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 u” was released on Disney+, documenting her road trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, Calif. as she reflects on her career and performs with her band along the way. The documentary was well received, especially by her fans, as it offered a glimpse into her creative process and allowed audiences to engage with her on a more personal level.
The “SOUR” era was a major breakthrough in launching her career, and it set quite high expectations for her following works. The 2023 release of Rodrigo’s anticipated sophomore album, “GUTS,” only further solidified her reputation as a talented artist, as she managed to surpass the achievements of “SOUR” in first-week sales, billboard charts and streaming services. As expected, the corresponding world tour was overwhelmingly successful, selling out arenas worldwide. In fact, the demand for tickets was so massive that many fans were unable to find or afford any tickets remaining; the majority of cities were completely sold out within minutes. This absolute chaos regarding ticket sales, while leaving many fans devastated, sparked conversations about Rodrigo releasing a subsequent movie, as done with the “SOUR” tour.
As expected, Rodrigo surprised fans last month by announcing that the “GUTS World Tour” movie would be released at the end of the week. Netflix described the movie as an opportunity for fans, including those who were unable to attend in person, to “scream, cheer, dance and sing your heart out from the best seat in the house.” The film does quite a remarkable job of capturing both the electrifying performance and behind-the-scenes footage to provide a captivating experience.
The movie starts by following Olivia backstage moments before the start of one of her Los Angeles shows. Audiences are able to watch as she prepares and interacts with her band before they are completely immersed in the roughly 90-minute concert with thrilling performances and special guest Chappell Roan. It also certainly lives up to the claim of offering “the best seat in the house,” as the movie format allows audiences to engage with Olivia up close as well as the stunning production and screens.
I am a fan of concert movies such as this especially for fans as they are generally quite entertaining and offer a more affordable and accessible way to see your favorite artists and songs performed live. As a fan who splurged to attend the “GUTS” Tour in New York City, I can attest that the movie is a fantastic alternative that accurately depicts the unforgettable experience that Rodrigo delivers. Regardless of whether you were able to attend a show in person or missed out on tickets, the “GUTS World Tour” movie is a must-watch for Olivia Rodrigo fans.