Pop
Louis Tomlinson reflects on early touring struggles, admits he feels 'more assured' ahead of third solo tour
Louis Tomlinson says his early solo tours left him battling intense self‑doubt, but he now feels more confident than ever as he heads into his third tour, crediting fans for helping him grow into his success.
Louis Tomlinson has opened up about the pressures of touring as a solo artist, admitting his first headline run left him “terrified” and battling intense self‑doubt.
The 34-year-old singer shared a detailed message with fans on X, reflecting on how his mindset has shifted across his first two tours and why he feels more confident than ever heading into his third.
Louis said his debut solo tour was far more overwhelming than he expected. “
He penned: "My first tour was so f***ing terrifying to me.
“Maybe because I was pretty hard on myself… every night feeling the adrenaline and the love of the crowd all the while scolding myself in my head.”
While he said the run included “incredible shows” that proved a lot to him, he admitted it remained “a tough one mentally.”
The former One Direction star explained that his second tour marked a turning point.
With an album designed for the live stage, he felt “much more assured,” though he still experienced moments of doubt.
He wrote: “About midway through that tour I remember metaphorically looking in the mirror and saying to myself that I needed to allow myself the success and the idea of being capable on my own."
Louis added that the gratitude for fan support also brought pressure, as he wanted “so much to deliver… every night” and wasn’t giving himself “room for error.”
He said that shift in perspective helped him finish the tour on a high.
He wrote: “The last show of that tour absolutely blew my f***ing mind.
“It gave me room to reflect on how far I’d come. Never did I imagine we’d be able to achieve this.”
My first tour was so fucking terrifying to me and maybe because I was pretty hard on myself, weird little paradox every night of feelings the adrenaline and the love of the crowd all the while scolding myself in my head. I had some incredible shows that tour and proved a lot to…
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) March 13, 2026
Now preparing to launch his third solo tour, Louis says he feels the strongest sense of confidence he has ever had going into a run of shows.
He told fans: “I’ve got a really, really good feeling about this.
“I genuinely haven’t ever felt this assured about the show we’re about to put on.”
He also acknowledged the role his supporters have played in helping him grow into his solo career.
Louis penned: “If you’re reading this and you’re a fan, don’t underestimate your importance in how I feel professionally."
He still expects to have moments where he gets “in my own head,” but now feels “protected” by his audience.
Louis ended the message by managing expectations with humour. “
He said: "Will it be a performance worthy of a vocal Olympian? No. Will it be the best‑selling show of the year? No. Will it be a show with numerous lyric sheets on stage like we’re in the stone age before autocue? Maybe.”
Louis concluded: “What it will be, is a moment for all of us to celebrate how far we’ve all come.”
