Written by Lorenzo dela Cruz | June 27, 2025

photos by Lorenzo dela Cruz with the [EVE] World Tour

BIBI’s “EVE” world tour was a triple threat of modern-day entertainment. Part concert, part live podcast recording (I jest), and part short film screening, BIBI covered all the bases at Bass Concert Hall, nestled in the UT Austin campus near downtown Austin.

“You know, when I first got here, I thought to myself, this stage reminded me of TED [Talk]. And then I found out at soundcheck that this is a school? That’s crazy.”

BIBI then continued her little podcast/crowd work bit, asking the crowd where everyone was from, what their jobs were, and what foods they liked. One girl in the crowd exclaimed, “I’m from the Philippines!” BIBI, in shock, replied, “Wow, that’s so far! Well, it’s close to Korea though!” She paced to stage right as she said this. As she paced back toward the girl, she exclaimed, “I love Singaporean food!”

Before anyone could correct her, BIBI gave herself a ‘boink’ on the head with her pearl-white microphone, cursing, “You stupid fcking bitch, it’s Filipino, not Singapore, idiot!!!” The crowd burst into laughter.

These kinds of unhinged, comedic, and unfiltered moments were scattered throughout the night. In a world where artists heavily curate their personalities and public image, BIBI’s raw and real energy is a breath of fresh air.

I first encountered BIBI through her collabs with 88rising. Seeing her at Head In The Clouds 2022, I was instantly drawn in by her silky vocals and her bass-heavy R&B and hip-hop–infused sound. Ever since then, BIBI has exploded onto the global scene, performing at Coachella and collaborating with the likes of DEAN, Rich Brian, Warren Hue, and Jackson Wang.

BIBI’s performance showcased her recent album EVE: ROMANCE, with songs ranging from energetic and low-key sensual moments like “Derre” to softer, sweet ballads like “Bluebird”—a testament to her vocal range and artistry.

Highlights for me, as a KRNB fan, were “Kazino” and “Burn It.” (Imagine if she brought out DEAN.) Regardless, BIBI’s dancers enhanced each performance with a combination of sharp movements and insane fluidity. BIBI’s songs are perfect for the sort of “hit and milk” choreography.

Between these performances, BIBI presented a short film made specifically for the tour: ROMANCE: EVE—a story crafted around BIBI’s album and the fictional character EVE, a singer who was cloned 40 years after her death.

The first half of the VCR introduced EVE: a kind, whimsical, sweet girl, showcased by songs like “Scott and Zelda” and “Bam Yang Gang.” In the second half of the VCR, BIBI morphs into EVE-1, a clone of EVE. This version was grittier, more real—edgy, even.

As a film major and cinematographer, I was foaming at the mouth with how this portion was shot—specifically its macro close-up shots and the “less is more” approach to its sound design. The film held a powerful message for all to see.

The message was simple: the story of a clone—of a polished star who, in reality, is problematic, angry, and chaotic. The question is: who is EVE truly? Who are we truly? Are we EVE or EVE-1? Does the world we live in push us toward holding a front similar to EVE, while in reality, we trudge through life like EVE-1? Can these worlds coexist?

The visual of a red betta fish returning to the water, with an insane match cut back to the initial scene where EVE-1 sits in a blood-filled bathtub, was just one example of the powerful imagery used to portray this deeper meaning.

After the conclusion of the film, BIBI returned to the stage and gave a heartfelt speech on self-love. The world we live in comes with expectations placed upon us—willingly or not. Whether from work, family, or friends, success and expectation are things we all must face.

BIBI concluded her “TED Talk” by saying that being successful is good, but if you don’t love yourself in the process of attaining that success, then everything was for naught. In summary: love yourself more. The audience nodded in agreement throughout.

Without missing a beat, the show continued with “BIBI Vengeance,” picking up the energy after such a heartfelt, thought-provoking moment.

Next up was “Best Lover,” and audience members were on the tip of their toes as BIBI made her way around the auditorium in pursuit of her next ‘victim.’ Finally, she picked a girl named Kass, who she actually recognized as a content creator who reacts to her music and videos. Unless you live under a rock, you know what happens next. The crowd went wild.

As the night came to a conclusion, BIBI somehow strayed onto the topic of sports and inquired if there was a sports team here in Austin. As if spawned out of nowhere, a UT Austin Longhorn jersey appeared, with “BIBI” on the back. The speed at which that interaction occurred left me shook.

All in all, BIBI’s “EVE” Tour in Austin brought an experience to remember—from the highs of powerful performances and crowd interactions to slower, more cerebral moments. The show was unforgettable. BIBI’s artistry, creativity, and personality were on full display, and fans went home buzzing.