#4.8.2023

BRITs: ‘Faith in the Future', the album by @Louis_Tomlinson, is now #BRITcertified Silver

EXCLUSIVE: Inside Louis Tomlinson's Faith in the Future tour as support act praises 'mentor'

Louis Tomlinson has been entertaining his stateside fans with his Faith In The Future tour and up-and-coming singer and support act Andrew Cushin has heaped the praise on the star

By Jamie Roberts | 3 AUG 2023

Louis Tomlinson has once again been wowing the crowds as he continues his hugely successful solo career.

The former One Direction man, 31, has recently finished his immensely popular stateside leg of his Faith in the Future tour, playing at some of the most iconic venues the country has to offer - and having his shirt ripped off his back along the way. One man who has been up close and personal with the singer over the past few months is fellow musician Andrew Cushin.

The confident English rising talent was selected to be a support act on a number of the shows, playing in the likes of Chicago, Las Vegas and New York. It's been a dream come true for the talented Newcastle native who has opened up to Mirror US about the epic experience.

Labelling Louis a "mentor," Andrew - who is signed to Pete Doherty's record label, Strap Originals - explained he has been able to lean on the star for advice at times on the tour, and admitted it had been "such a good learning experience".

📸 Stephen Lovekin

He's a busy lad as you can imagine," Andrew said. "We've spoke and we've had a couple of drinks and all that and there's been bits of advice when I've needed it. So it's good that I know that he's there if I ever need anything. He's been there and done it all, so he's been a very good tour mentor."

Andrew continued to say he had been extremely impressed with how everything runs on a tour of this magnitude. "Everybody's such a seasoned pro on this tour," he admitted, revealing how it seems nobody is fazed by anything.

He said the entire behind-the-scenes staff show such a high level of professionalism which in turn has given him a huge aspiration and something to work for.

"There's things that I can look at on this tour and take to my own gigs which will make a massive difference," he added. While Andrew has got a big following of his own building nicely at home in the UK, he admits Louis' fans have been nothing short of phenomenal as he tried to turn them into fans of his own - something he seems to have had big success in doing, with homemade signs, bracelets and even tattoos being shared in support.

"These fans really are so, so dedicated to everything that Louis is doing and it's an absolute pleasure to play for them. I was a bit nervous for the first few shows to see how it was going to go down because I'm here without the band and all that and I didn't know if it would have the same effect just me and an acoustic and piano but it's getting the same reception, so it's just a credit to the audience. It's been amazing.

"It's been one massive learning curve and it's so much fun and I'm enjoying it."

Andrew, whose previous tune Where's My Family Gone featured former Oasis man Noel Gallagher, has also released two records during his time with Louis. It's Coming Round Again has been winning rave reviews online by those at the gigs and was filmed at one of the concerts, so too has newest hit Wor Flags.

Louis Tomlinson Gives Rockstar Performance At Forest Hills Stadium

August 03, 2023 | BY KYLE STEVENS

Photos Courtesy of Kyle Stevens

Fans at Forest Hills Stadium couldn’t help themselves when they got the opportunity to get up close and personal with singer and heartthrob Louis Tomlinson on Saturday, July 29. Andrew Cushin and Giant Rooks opened for Tomlinson with dynamic performances that set the tone for the rest of the evening.

The former One Direction star created quite the stir when he took the stage in Queens for the last stop on the current leg of his ‘Faith In The Future World Tour.’ Tomlinson made a grand entrance rocking a black tank top and stunner shades after the rain came drizzling down right before he was about to go on. Luckily, the weather cleared up just in time and the English songwriter proceeded to sing hits from his latest solo album that dropped back on November 11 last year.

Performing “High in California,” “She is a Beauty We Are World Class,” and “Out of My System,” Tomlinson had his passionate fan base holler and shriek throughout his entire set. Tomlinson’s magnetic energy made the atmosphere so sweltering that he had to pause in the middle of “All This Time” to help a fan who needed assistance in the crowd.

Staying true to his roots by not forgetting where he came from, Tomlinson also performed 1D megahits “Night Changes” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” He also paid homage to English rock band Arctic Monkeys by singing the moody “505.” (The Arctic Monkeys will also roll through the area on September 8 and 9 for a highly anticipated tour of their own.)

Stacked Sandwich Shop (68-60 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375) made sure to keep the hungry stadium crowd properly nourished throughout the evening with delicious, jumbo-size Philly Cheesesteaks that had to be seen to be believed. Owner Danny Azzo was on hand with new menu items to feed into the excitement that Louis created.

“We recently introduced Mozzarella Sticks and Fries. It’s a hit,” Azzo said in an interview with the Queens Gazette. “We don’t do that in the shop because we traditionally make sandwiches, but that’s been really good for us, as is the cheesesteak. Our usual popular items include the Turkey Sandwiches.”

Before the night wrapped up, fans who were lucky enough to be near the barricade got the rare opportunity to touch their charismatic idol during the song “Silver Tongues.” Always a gentleman, Tomlinson happily greeted his supporters with a wide smile. Attendees in the front row lost control and proceeded to tear away at Tomlinson’s tank top in a frenzied scene that was reminiscent of the peak of Beatlemania during the 1960s.

Tomlinson proudly soaked up the moment like only a true rockstar could, and performed the rest of his concert shirtless. Unsurprisingly, fans in Queens were quite content with that particular parting visual. The “Bigger Than Me” singer will pick up his tour again on August 29 when he goes overseas to play at Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany. Tickets are on sale now for those who want to take an adventurous, fly away holiday.

Louis Tomlinson wrapped up the current leg of his tour at Forest Hills Stadium on Saturday. The singer was seen wearing a black tank top and sunglasses.

Tomlinson made the crowd light up with delight whenever he was near the mic.The English dreamboat soaked in the unforgettable Queens atmosphere.

FAR OUT: Pete Doherty and Louis Tomlinson team up to release Andrew Cushin's debut album