closed starter for @heavenleague
'Strawberry' had been a sleeper hit, but it was the quintessential SOULAR song. It was fast paced but had moments where the smooth, resonant harmonies that the group was known for would shine, one of Match's best rap verses according to WatchMojo, and ended with a beat switch up that was perfect for a dance break.
It hadn't been on the setlist for their first tour, but the fans randomly streamed it so many times that it breached the top 10 on their Spotify page. They'd already loved it so much anyway, so it became the finale for this tour. And they are performing for their fucking lives.
Something about the energy in the stadium tonight is explosive. The high pitched sounds of the fans are normal, but it seems to be extra potent tonight and they feel it. Zayn's voice tends to shift the energy of the crowd as they move through the setlist, but the audience seems to be buzzing the entire time.
In venues this big, it can be hard to attribute personal eye contact to any one person specifically, especially on a stage as big as theirs, but during one of the costume change interludes, Rose and Zayn clock how Match was making eyes at someone during one of their sexy slow jams.
“And who is that?” Rose inquires, pinning him with a look and a cocked eyebrow.
Match's smug expression stays solid on his handsome features while he holds his arms out for wardrobe to pull the shirt over his strapping shoulders. "I don't know who you're talking about."
Zayn gives him a bombastic side-eye. "We're not dumb, share with the class."
"They fine, ain't they?" Match's smugness turns into a full grin.
Rose holds his expression. "So you not gonna tell us who that is?"
They pause to hear Production calling for them to be on the lifts in one minute. Match's grin increases as he adjusts his in-ear. "Tell ya later. Lets smash this finale."
Zayn rolls his eyes and Rose shakes his head as they all take their positions on the stage lift, the beginning of Strawberry filling the venue with a slow, airy version of the chorus to build anticipation. Then they rise, and the roar of the crowd is deafening. Match is the first to bring the mic to his lips. "Aight, y'all been rockin' with us all night. Time to give this last song your all. If you know the words to this one, you a real Soulmate. Let's go."