Billie Eilish Embarks on Tour Solo, Without Brother Finneas O'Connell for the First Time

Billie Eilish has transitioned from teenage sensation to a genuine adult, as noted by her brother and collaborator, Finneas O’Connell. This evolution is a key reason O’Connell, for the initial time, won't accompany his Grammy-winning sister on her "Hit Me Hard and Soft" tour, except for a few select dates, foregoing his usual role as her guitarist on tour.

"There were years when I felt compelled to attend every show because Billie was only 16 or 17, and I believed I needed to be present for every moment," O’Connell shared in a Vogue interview published Tuesday. "The reality is," he continued, "she has matured into an adult over the past few years of touring."

Eilish's maturity has manifested in what O’Connell described as the 22-year-old’s "methodical approach to life on tour." "She rests during the day to ensure she's ready for the performance," engages in extensive physical therapy, and dedicates time to vocal exercises to prepare, he noted.

O’Connell announced Monday that he would commence his "For Cryin’ Out Loud!" solo tour in February, having released his latest solo album by the same title last week.

Eilish's parents, Maggie Baird and Patrick O’Connell, have consistently been present at her previous tours. Baird managed tasks from scheduling to ensuring Eilish’s meals, while the elder O’Connell was part of her stage crew. "I’ll fetch your tampons and whip up a burrito at a moment's notice, even if it means using an iron," Baird mentioned to Vogue in the Tuesday article.

Despite Baird's belief that all performers could benefit from a "mom on tour," both she and her husband will step back this time, allowing Eilish to independently navigate a tour they liken to her "college years."

Yet, Eilish won't be entirely unaccompanied. Indie-rock duo and actors Nat and Alex Wolff, whom Eilish considers close friends, are opening for her on the tour, which began late last month. She's also touring with her own live band for the first time, alongside a few childhood friends.

Eilish expressed to Vogue her hopes that "it’s going to be the f*ing fun.