‘I feel lucky as it’s the right time to come play in India’
Renuka Vyahare
Louis Tomlinson featured in Bombay Today [11.3.2025]
TRANSCRIPT:
English singer-songwriter and former One Direction band member, Louis Tomlinson made his India debut at a music fest in Mumbai on Sunday. Louis brought an intimate energy to the music festival, captivating the crowd with his signature blend of Britpop and indie pop. Fan swayed and sang along to his numbers, Drag Me Down, Night Changes, and Saturday, to name a few. The 33 year-old singer from Doncaster, England, made a confession. “Never in a million years did I ever think I’d be in India as a young lad, and never did I think I’d be performing here. It’s mind-blowing, man. I can’t get my head around it. I love you,” he said. Ahead of his performance, we met with Louis and struck an exclusive conversation which revolved around India, his music, and more…
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This is your maiden performance in India. What are your thoughts like going into the show?
I always try and manage my own expectations. I don’t really know what to expect. This is my first time here. There’s a reason why I’m here, that’s for sure. I’ve felt the presence online from Indian fans, and it’s a place I’ve always wanted to come to. So, it feels like a real honour to be here. When I saw the number of people waiting outside the airport just for me to arrive, that’s always a lovely feeling. As soon as I kind of touched down, I had that confidence that I’ve got that support, and that was a nice feeling. 
Shawn Mendes wore the Indian cricket team jersey on Saturday. Do you follow the game back home? 
Cricket is very big in the UK. My great-granddad used to have an old cricket ball for a long time. As a young lad, I remember playing with it quite a lot. Beyond that, I don’t follow the game too much, to be honest. I respect the sport, for sure, but I’m not a massive cricket fan.
What do you think of India as a global music destination? Coldplay performed here, Ed Sheeran was here for a while. Various global artistes are now frequently performing in the country. 
It’s a surprise to me that we never came here with One Direction. I hear the band was big in India. It was a missed opportunity for us. Although, as you said, it is more common now with the likes of Ed and Coldplay coming here. I feel lucky because it’s the right time to play in India. I do think like all things in life, the music industry tends to be a bit rigid. As soon as you see Ed and Coldplay come over, then it’s brilliant for everyone else. It sets a precedent for how amazing the shows are in India and what is possible over here.
Right from The Beatles to now Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, English artistes have a strong connection with India. What was your perception of the country before landing here? 
When I was 16 or 17 years old, I never imagined that I would be in a band someday. Probably the thing that might have been furthest away, like a dream, was playing in a place like India, so far from home and with a completely different culture and food. That’s a luxury. That’s something I never thought I’d be in a position to do. So just to be here and take in the excitement is amazing. I’ve been fighting to come for the last five, six years because it’s such an exciting place to explore. You know, if I go back to England and tell anyone that I’ve been to India, I’ll watch their ears prick up. They’ll be interested because it’s just a really, really exciting place to visit. I feel very lucky to be able to play here.
You are in Bombay for the first time. Is this a brief visit or are you hoping to explore the city? 
I am just taking in as much as possible because this trip, given the nature of the festival, we’re in and out. I’m going to spend about 48 hours here and leave right after the show, so my time is limited. My mission is to absolutely nail the show and hopefully to come back and do my own tour here. And it’ll be at that time where I will probably have more time to explore, take in the culture and eat more food. Because I’ve realized how much of a Brit I sound when I say the only curry I’ve had so far is butter chicken. That’s pretty British, isn’t it? The food is definitely better here, even the butter chicken I had last night. 
You started off quite young as a singer. You’ve been a contestant, judge, band member and now solo artist. What have been your learnings?
I was always taught for a young age to trust my gut, and I think in an industry like this, you are constantly surrounded by different opinions, some are valid and some are not. At some point you have to trust yourself and trust your gut. 
You are known for your fashion and your music. As a trendsetter, what inspires you? What gets you going?
Musically, it’s lyrics. I think that’s my strongest suit as a writer. I really appreciate deep lyrics. I admire someone like Sam Fender. He has good conceptual lyrics. As far as fashion is concerned, I always dress down. And in recent years, it’s become trendier to dress down. So, the whole time, it’s suited me very well. 
You have acted a bit. Are you aware of Bollywood and the film culture here? 
I am aware of the film culture in India. I haven’t really watched a Bollywood film though. Maybe you could give me a recommendation. if someone from Bollywood is listening, I’m in!
What are you like when no-one’s watching? With social media so much of a celebrity’s life is out there. 
I’d like to think I’m not too different from what you see on camera. I always try to carry myself in an honest way. I suppose just by the nature of the job, behind the cameras, I’m a little bit more low-key. But yeah, I’d like to think that I’m pretty similar to how I am now. 
