Billie Eilish fans have been caught ‘meowing’ at her concerts thanks to a viral TikTok sound and some concert-goers are not impressed.
The 22-year-old chart-topper is currently on the North American leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour and has experienced perhaps one of the strangest live gig phenomenons so far.
A video from one of her recent concerts went viral on TikTok, already amassing 5.7million likes, that appears to show members of the audience meowing along to her Oscar-winning song What Was I Made For – which featured on the Barbie soundtrack.
Instead of the familiar opening lyrics: ‘I used to float, now I just fall down…’, loud meowing was heard instead. And as more and more fans share social media videos of themselves meowing it seems as though the trend is only growing bigger.
But why are fans making cat noises? As seems to increasingly be the case these days, it all comes down to TikTok where a ‘meowing version’ has gained huge traction, with 51,000 videos already under the sound.
The most popular use of the sound is playing it to your pet cat or baby to see their reaction – with many becoming visibly upset and wistful-looking.
Some TikTok users may not even realise the sounds originates from the Billie tune, as it appears to have taken on a life of its own.
As ever with strange concert behaviour, however, there is also backlash from fans not interested in having their experience marred by animal sounds.
One Reddit user Tasty_Ad_6935 wrote: ‘It’s getting to be herd mentality now… I think Billie should be like “okay… we have a serious song coming up. I know you guys like meowing, so let’s do a verse with the meowing and then let me sing the song like normal”.’
‘It’s funny to watch on TikTok sure, but if I spent $200+ for a ticket and someone was meowing next to me?? I’d be so upset,’ Obamasfake shared.
‘Or, here’s a wild idea, STOP meowing and ruining an emotional and serious song for most people around you. It’s disrespectful for them and for the song,’ timmie1606 agreed.
Although user bryangazo89 defended both sides, writing: ‘Maybe meowing people are being inconsiderate of the feelings of the people around them but let them enjoy thier paid tickets… both parties are being selfish…’
Billie is yet to respond to this latest trend that has been brought to her doorstep although she has previously spoken out against rowdy fan behaviour.
Last year a string of artists had fans throwing objects on stage including a phone at Bebe Rexha and someone’s mother’s ashes at a Pink concert – just to name a few.
‘I’ve been getting hit on stage with things for like, literally, six years, I don’t know why this is like new. People just get excited and it can be dangerous,” Billie told The Hollywood Reporter.
‘I have mixed feelings about it, because when you’re up there it blows. But you know it’s out of love and they’re just trying to give you something. You’re in a vulnerable position, but I’ve been getting hit with stuff for like years.’
Although her brother and longtime collaborator Finneas added: ‘Don’t do it — we get it but don’t do it.’
Time will tell if Billie will address the meowing, especially if it becomes more disruptive.
Meanwhile, the Grammy-winning music artist recently came under fire for the extortionate prices of her concert tickets, with some costing up to a whopping £400.
Fans took to social media to complain about the expensive purchase, although Billie has not addressed the complaints publicly.