I think the reason why Louis does the bare minimum is that he knows his fans are happy with the bare minimum, and he knows he will get away with it. Whereas Harry, for example, wouldn't get away with it because he would be ripped apart by the media so he puts more effort into performances, there are higher expectations for him. Louis' fans expectations are so low so Louis doesn't even try, and god forbid anyone be disappointed in him. But fans can be hypocritical because they want better for Louis but they're not asking him to do better. How do you wish for him all the success in the world while not asking him to do the bare minimum like learn his lyrics and sing in tune. I am a fan of Louis but I think he does take advantage of fans in the sense that he knows they'll be happy with anything. If he was called out more we might see changes but other fans bully those who speak out. Harry isn't perfect either but it seems okay to discuss that and not Louis' faults. You should be able to be a fan and also give constructive criticism.
Hi my love, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. You’re right, and I definitely agree with you, but I think Harry’s situation is different for one very important reason.
When Harry performs, when he’s on stage, he enjoys being there. He genuinely loves singing and dancing and teasing fans with his jokes. You can see it in every show. And Louis has done shows that feel heavy, that feel tired — he himself has acknowledged that.
He’s human, of course he can have a bad day, and of course that tension can show in his performance. No one would blame him, especially knowing everything he’s been through.
The real problem is that it’s not one show every once in a while — it’s every show lately. At first it was funny when he forgot the lyrics to one of his songs. I think it started with a One Direction song, and it was funny and we all laughed. But then it was two songs, then three. And at the last show I went to, he already had six or seven lyric sheets taped to the floor.
I know Louis used to love being on stage, he loved performing. But now it feels like he does it more because he has to than because he genuinely enjoys it. And that’s also where fans enabling him comes in, because they don’t care about receiving an actual show — they just want to see him. And I’m sorry, but to me that’s disrespectful from the artist toward the audience.
A good example of this would also be Taylor Swift (even if I don’t like her) or Sabrina Carpenter, artists I respect because of their performances. We’re talking set changes, choreography, instruments, costumes, good vocals, decent singing and spectacular high notes. Harry has all that too. You can feel the reciprocity between artist and fan: I give you my money, and in return you make me happy and excited with your show. That’s how it should be.
And Louies give EVERYTHING — fan projects, dress codes, signs, enthusiasm… and what do they get in return? A man standing in front of a microphone, not singing the full songs, doing no high notes, not knowing the lyrics to his own music, letting his backup singers be the loudest ones. And yes, we get the barricade moment, but I swear I would rather he never went down to barricade again if it meant getting back the enthusiasm in his actual performance.
