Olivia Rodrigo Opens Up About Life on Tour, Song of the Summer, and GUTS Popup

Olivia Rodrigo has a deep love for Los Angeles—she's seriously enamored with the city. So much so, that she’s even created an entire line of tank tops and hoodies to celebrate it.

After spending the last six months on the GUTS World Tour, the 21-year-old singer has returned to LA for six arena concerts this month, and she’s thrilled to be back. Between performances, she’s been revisiting her favorite eateries (she highly recommends the breakfast at Jon & Vinny’s on Fairfax) and even goes as far as to call LA “the best food city in the world.”

“I’m crazy about LA for so many reasons,” Rodrigo exclaims. “Best weather. Best food. I will always stand by that. Best sushi, best Mexican food... It’s incredible. This place is where dreams come true.”

And LA loves her right back. As she sits inside the GUTS popup at Complex LA on August 15, a line of fans stretches around the block, eager to step inside. Her first two albums, SOUR and GUTS, have struck a chord with listeners, thanks to Rodrigo’s candid songwriting that captures the exhilarating yet often chaotic experience of growing up. On stage, her music takes on an even more intense energy, with her band delivering powerful guitar solos while she belts out tracks like “all-american bitch” at full volume. (“I love getting the crowd to scream,” she says with a grin. “It’s incredibly cathartic.”)

Despite her rise to global stardom, Rodrigo has remained relatable, resonating with people who are navigating the ups and downs of finding their identities and making their way in the world. It’s no wonder fans are flocking to her concerts and her popup, eager to connect with the artist behind the music.

In the midst of her LA concert series, we caught up with Olivia Rodrigo during the opening day of the GUTS popup, running from Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 18. The popup is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Complex LA (433 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles). During our conversation, Rodrigo shared updates about life on tour, her current playlist, and more. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

How are things going?
Life is great. I’m in LA, doing shows in my hometown, so I’m really happy.

You’ve been on the GUTS World Tour for most of the year. What makes this tour special for you? What’s the vibe like right now?
The vibe is fantastic. It’s my first time doing an arena tour, so I was both excited and a little nervous going into it, but it’s been amazing. It’s been incredible to visit so many new places and perform songs that have been a part of me for so long. I’m having a great time.

Which song has been your favorite to perform on this tour?
I absolutely love performing “all-american bitch” live. It’s my favorite, and I love getting the audience to scream during that part. It’s such a cathartic experience. I always look forward to it.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened on tour so far?
The funniest thing I can think of is when we were in Kentucky or somewhere in the South, and there were these little pedal-powered horses you could ride around on. We loved them so much that we bought a few to take on the bus with us, and now they go everywhere we do. [Laughs.] They’ve become our main mode of transportation around the venues.

How do you spend your time on tour? Any new obsessions?
Oh, I sleep a lot on tour—sometimes up to 13 hours a day because I’m so exhausted. That takes up a lot of time. I’ve also been reading and watching all my comfort shows. I’ve been watching Sex and the City every day to feel grounded and at home. [Laughs.]

What book are you reading right now?
I’m reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I’m almost finished with it. It’s really good.

What’s on your pre-show playlist? What have you been listening to while on tour?
I have a really good playlist... I do some cardio before going on stage. Sometimes I listen to Soulja Boy to get hyped. “FTCU” by Nicki Minaj is also a favorite. Just high-energy songs like that.

Do you have a Song of the Summer?
I’m really into the Charli XCX and Billie Eilish song “Guess.” It’s so good—it’s been on repeat.

GUTS is nearing its one-year anniversary next month. When you look back on the album, what makes you the most proud?
I worked really hard on this album, and it wasn’t always easy, so I’m really proud that I pushed through and created something I’m truly proud of. It taught me a lot about discipline and creativity, and how sometimes, even when you’re not feeling inspired, it’s important to sit down and work on your craft. I think I’ve really honed my songwriting skills while making this album, and I’m proud of that.

You’re in the middle of a series of big shows in LA. How does performing in LA compare to other places?
It’s amazing. It’s kind of surreal because I’ve been on tour for so long in different cities around the world, so waking up in my own bed and thinking, “Oh, I have a show today!” is a little disorienting. But it’s so nice to be home and have my friends and family come to the shows. The vibe is just really good.

You have some merch here at the GUTS popup with Complex that says “I’m so obsessed with LA.” What makes you so obsessed with LA?
I’m obsessed with LA for so many reasons. The weather is perfect, the food is incredible. I really believe LA has the best food in the world. Best sushi, best Mexican food... It’s just amazing. This city is where dreams come true... [Laughs.] That sounds so cheesy.

We have some other merch at the Complex popup. Do you have a favorite piece?
I think my favorite is the tank top [points to a white tank top with a black and white photo]. That one’s so fun. It’s a photo we took right before I went on stage, and I think it’s really cool. I love a good tank top. [Laughs.]

Why should people come to the popup this weekend?
You definitely need to check out the Complex popup this weekend. It’s so fun. We’ve got all my tank tops from the shows hanging up, some posters, just great vibes all around. And really cute merch, so swing by. You don’t want to miss it.

What’s one thing you want to spill your guts about right now?
Oh my God. Since we’re on Fairfax right now, I just have to gush about how amazing Jon & Vinny’s breakfast is. Nobody goes there for breakfast, but you really should. It’s incredible. That’s my big reveal for today.