{"id":265283,"date":"2025-07-14T21:44:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T21:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/265283\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T21:44:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T21:44:20","slug":"im-camping-for-8-days-to-see-billie-eilish-i-promise-i-dont-stink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/265283\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I’m camping for 8 days to see Billie Eilish – I promise I don’t stink’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Billie
\n\t\tBillie Eilish fans have been queuing outside her concert for days (Picture: Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images for Live Nation)<\/p>\n

From Beatlesmania to Swifties, enthusiastic fans have always existed, and they will go to extreme lengths <\/a>to see their favourite artist.<\/p>\n

Billie Eilish<\/a> stans are no different, with hundreds camping outside the O2 Arena<\/a>, London<\/a>, in hopes of getting to the front to see the Bad Guy hitmaker perform.<\/p>\n

The former Glastonbury<\/a> headliner is currently in the UK on her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, <\/a>which Metro <\/strong>gave five stars on London<\/a>\u2019s opening night.<\/p>\n

With three shows left to go of her six-night residency<\/a> at the venue, we spoke to the dedicated fans making the O2 their home for the week.<\/p>\n

\u2018We don\u2019t stink,\u2019 two fans insisted instantly from in the queue, who had been there since July 7, despite the fact that they didn\u2019t have tickets to night one or two.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re going to night three, which is the 13th,\u2019 said Ams. \u2018We\u2019re camping for a total of eight days for our show.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tOne girl had waited for six days to see Billie live (Picture: Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images for Live Nation)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ams
\n\t\tAms and Alice promised that they had showered (Picture: Metro\/Catriona Walsh)<\/p>\n

Hygiene when camping for a week (as any festival goer will know) is one of the biggest challenges, but without facilities, Billie fans have had to get creative.<\/p>\n

Ams and her friend Alice were camping \u2018off-site\u2019 as the O2 put out a statement notifying fans that tents on-site and the \u2018neighbouring vicinity\u2019 were not allowed.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have an Airbnb,\u2019 Ams explained. \u2018We\u2019re going back there to shower. We do not stink, we shower \u2013 every day, twice a day.\u2019<\/p>\n

Fans have created a small community of tents away from the O2 (but not too far away), which security has reportedly been conducting welfare checks on.<\/p>\n

Just because they weren\u2019t actually seeing Billie that night didn\u2019t mean the pair were sitting in their tents, missing the atmosphere. Ams claimed she \u2018did the whole of night one\u2019 with the people waiting and even \u2018queued everyone up\u2019 after a frantic sprint for the front.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n

To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro’s<\/strong> London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Billie
\n\t\tA campsite was set up nearby as the O2 banned tents (Picture: Catriona Walsh)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tBillie is performing for six nights at the O2 (Picture: Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images for Live Nation)<\/p>\n

@metroentertainment<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t stink!\u201d \u26fa\ufe0f We spoke to fans who have camped overnight to secure barrier spots for @billieeilish\u2019s six night\u2019s at London @theo2official. We asked the O2 about their policys for fans who have insisted on camping out ahead of the concert and they told us that, \u2018Camping is not allowed at The O2 nor in the neighbouring vicinity. Anyone found to be camping will be asked to move\u2019. They also went on to add that, \u2018The O2 security team continues to liaise with the Safer Neighbourhood Police team to carry out regular welfare checks of the area\u2019. \ud83c\udfa5 @zofia_louise #billieeilish<\/a> #hitmehardandsofttour<\/a>#finneas<\/a> #london<\/a> #O2arena<\/a> #O2<\/a> #celebrity<\/a> #concertcamping<\/a> #camping<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c LUNCH \u2013 Billie Eilish<\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2018It was a bit hectic,\u2019 she said. \u2018I had to line everyone up within 30 minutes and we were all the way off campus.\u2019<\/p>\n

The O2 statement added that any queuing system enforced by fans would \u2018not be acknowledged\u2019 and they would be giving out wristbands once the venue opened.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m going to sprint over at midnight\u2019 <\/p>\n

Other fans were less extreme than Ams and Alice \u2013 who also introduced a friend who had camped since July 4 \u2013 and were limiting themselves to 24 hours.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re not sleeping in here overnight,\u2019 explained one girl at the campsite. \u2018Apparently, the queue opens at midnight because it\u2019s technically the same day as the concert.\u2019<\/p>\n

Her plan was to \u2018sprint\u2019 over to the O2 at midnight and wait there until doors opened at 5.30pm, with Billie not due on stage until 8.20pm.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDo you have to camp for Billie Eilish?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Metro\u2019s music expert Danni Scott weighs in on whether you need to camp for shows \u2013 or if you can still rock up at doors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Camping for gigs has been growing in popularity, particularly among Gen-Z and the upcoming Gen Alpha (who are now around 14 years old). <\/p>\n

While it is driven by the desire to be at the front, other factors like the potential for a viral clip and clout are definitely at play. The badge of \u2018I camped for eight days\u2019 gives you some authority within the fanbase, marking you a really dedicated stan. Imagine those teenage\/early 20s feelings amped up by the pressures of social media \u2013 we\u2019d camp too.<\/p>\n

Despite what those on social media might suggest, you really do not need to camp unless you are desperate to be at the barrier. This goes even more so for Billie\u2019s gig, where her stage is in the middle, meaning everyone is closer to her than at a normal concert. <\/p>\n

Spending hours queuing, especially in this heat, also puts you at risk of dehydration. By trying to be at the front, you may, in extreme cases, run the risk of passing out and needing to leave the show entirely.<\/p>\n

You can have just as much fun at the back of standing, dancing around with your friends with more room to move as you will right at the front. Yes, when you\u2019re short, it can be a restricted view but you\u2019re not there to stand still the entire time, just shuffle elsewhere.<\/p>\n

The determination of some fans to be at the very front can come at the detriment of the enjoyment of others. During gigs, things do shift, and there\u2019s no point being defensive over your space just because you\u2019ve been camping for five days; that\u2019s your choice. Equally, if you rushed in late, don\u2019t shove anyone out of the way on your beeline to the barrier. Fans need to learn how to be in a space together again, whether you\u2019re a 5-dayer or a 5-minuter.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Billie
\n\t\tFans were desperate to be at the barrier for the show (Picture: Danni Scott)<\/p>\n

One fan had travelled from Sicily, Italy, with his dad after missing out on her European leg. The duo had been queuing since 8.30am and were relatively near the front.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was early enough,\u2019 the teenager said, \u2018Maybe [we should have arrived] five minutes earlier, but just that.\u2019<\/p>\n

He noted that some doors had opened already to let barrier fans in, which they had narrowly missed out on after some girls \u2018surpassed\u2019 them in the rush.<\/p>\n

Another woman, who woke up at 4.30am and arrived at 7am, shared: \u2018When we got here this morning, there were still people with blankets and sleeping bags and chairs and stuff. I think they\u2019ve been going and changing throughout the day.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I guess they\u2019re very dedicated and at the front of the queue,\u2019 she answered when asked if campers were \u2018jealous\u2019 that her comparatively relaxed approach yielded surprisingly good results.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe hot weather wasn\u2019t helping the long wait (Picture: Catriona Walsh)
\n\u2018It got really hot, some parts were quite bad\u2019 <\/p>\n

Concerns have repeatedly been raised over young fans camping outside gigs, especially as London has been experiencing a heatwave over the past week.<\/p>\n

Dehydration mixed with dancing to hits like Guess is a potential nightmare for security and fans, with passing out during the show a real risk.<\/p>\n

\u2018We were outside for about four hours but it was in and out of the shade,\u2019 revealed one man whose friend was equipped with a fan. <\/p>\n

\u2018Some parts were quite bad and like really hot,\u2019 he continued. \u2018We managed to go out and get some water.\u2019<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the fact the majority of those queuing are young women in their late teens to early 20s with no protections, although most told us they felt safe as there was strength in numbers.<\/p>\n

@metroentertainment<\/a> <\/p>\n

Is this really safe?\u00a0\ud83d\ude33 @billieeilish is playing six nights @theo2official in London during her \u201cHit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour\u201d. Despite being told by the arena that they are not allowed to camp outside the stadium, diehard fans have set up camp at a secret London campsite as a way to secure those barrier spots. By preventing fans from camping outside the arena, these fans have been sleeping alongside the Thames and under no shade during London\u2019s current heatwave. We approached The O2 for response to their decision to prevent fans from camping, which they said, \u2018Camping is not allowed at The O2 nor in the neighbouring vicinity. Anyone found to be camping will be asked to move\u2019 They continued, \u2018The O2 security team continues to liaise with the Safer Neighbourhood Police team to carry out regular welfare checks of the area\u2019. What do you think? \ud83c\udfa5 @catrionawalshx #billieeilish<\/a> #hitmehardandsofttour<\/a> #finneas<\/a> #o2arena<\/a> #camping<\/a> #investigation<\/a> #o2arenalondon<\/a>#celebrity<\/a> #concertcamping<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 Metro Entertainment \u2013 Metro Entertainment<\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2018It could seem a lot more unsafe, but when you\u2019re with a big crowd of people, it is a lot safer than you would think,\u2019 shared Sophie.<\/p>\n

\u2018When we\u2019re able to queue later on in the night, because queuing starts at midnight, the security is out all night and we\u2019re right next to them.\u2019<\/p>\n

While the driving force behind the queues is the desperate need to be as close to the artist physically as possible, fans insisted there was a community aspect.<\/p>\n

With local community centres closing across the country, teenagers are online more than ever before.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Billie
\n\t\tFans were rewarded with Billie within touching distance (Picture: Danni Scott)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tHer central stage meant fans were closer than usual (Picture: Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images for Live Nation)<\/p>\n

Queuing outside the O2 Arena could be the only chance outside school younger music lovers have to build friendships with other fans.<\/p>\n

\u2018I got the Instagram of so many people,\u2019 said one girl. \u2018There\u2019s also people we\u2019ve seen at different concerts and different tours.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s a huge sense [of community] because we\u2019ve all been through the night together, we\u2019ve all got closer.\u2019<\/p>\n

Billie will conclude her London run on July 17 before performing four nights in Manchester\u2019s Co-op Live Arena and heading to Dublin at the end of the month.<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

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