Those who have had a teen pop era in the 2010s would not be unfamiliar with Harry Styles. Previously a member of One Direction, the English-Irish pop band took over the playlists of teenage girls in the 2010s, he was part of the 5 members to have swooned adoring fans with “Night Changes” and “What Makes You Beautiful”. After the band’s hiatus, Styles has risen to prominence with his debut solo single “Sign of the Times”, subsequently releasing 4 albums and currently having amassed 64 million active listeners on Spotify.
Now on his third concert tour titled “Together, Together”, it features his fourth album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” that took the title position on US Billboard 200 on its debut back in March. The tour is set to have 108 shows across eighteen cities, many of which are located in the United States, North America and Europe. What makes this tour record-breaking is his 12 sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium, London, which holds the Guinness World Record for the longest concert residency by a solo artist in a single run. Though, it feels less impressive when you notice a 30-night residency in the tour list located at Madison Square Garden.
Styles’ 30-night residency consists of shows every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, stretched across 2 months between August to October. Even with the amount of shows being at the same venue, tickets are still being sold out every night, and not without reason. Many describe the experience to be the “best night of their lives”, even first-timers have reacted by booking tickets again right after. They just can’t get enough of it.
With how inviting and well-received the concert atmosphere is, many fans desperately buy tickets either through endless queues on Ticketmaster, resellers that inflate prices for their own profit, or trading tickets between fans on social media platforms. Some would even travel thousands of kilometers just for the experience, one even having to sell plasma as the price to pay. Literally.
In an effort to battle this price hike, the tour’s organising team have released the original prices for the tickets for transparency, hoping to protect fans from paying unnecessarily steep prices unknowingly. Though, the issue of ticket scalpers reselling for profit have always been a well-known issue, causing passionate fans to lose out on the opportunity to witness artists live. Ticket sales companies are also to blame, especially with some platforms introducing dynamic pricing systems, adjusting ticket prices in real time following buyer demand, inventory levels and third party pricing.
“During the shows, there’s a lot more moments where I’m standing there taking it in, when I’m in the room with the crowd, seeing this energy they’ve made. I feel so aware that it exists past the shows, the songs, the tour—everything.” — Harry Styles with W Magazine
With Madison Square Garden being 76,000 m2 holding up to 19,500 seats, the experience still feels immersive. Not having the hassle to switch venues after every show provides the chance to personalise the stage — a 360 degrees circular center stage and an oval LED catwalk surrounding two standing inner pits — making the show much more intimate and befitting for an avid runner like him. Even for those who cannot witness the action up close, wide screens above the stage along with the immersive lightshow still manage to fascinate concertgoers regardless.
What differentiates his concerts from other artists would be the culture, whether that’s coming from him or the audience. Fan interaction is known to be a staple feature of his: reading handmade fan signs out loud between songs, responding with genuine interest and care night after night. The opportunity to witness an organic, unprompted connection between Styles and a real fan makes every show a personalised experience never to be recreated. The circular venue set-up encourages him to interact with fans directly without obstruction, a stark difference from typical concerts having an elevated stage and large gaps from the pit.
Of course, much more of the concert experience comes from the fans. If you’ve ever gone to a concert or seen people posting their outfits, you’d know that most fans would dress up inspired by album covers or their own interpretation of the artist’s music style. Styles is a known fashion icon, defying traditional gender norms through his flamboyant style: wearing women’s blouses, nail polish, dressing himself with vibrant florals and colorful clothes, embracing femininity with his self expression. His confidence on how he dresses has made an impact on the fans, having them all wearing extravagant and fun outfits. “It is almost impossible to go see Styles perform and spot a single person who does not feel good in their own skin while having the time of their life,” as described by an avid supporter. He is unapologetically himself by being real with everyone about who he is, and having fun while doing it.
Since “Love on Tour”, female fans have always found Styles’ concerts to be a safe space for them. Many have documented their concert experience while attending alone, unexpectedly greeted by other uplifting concertgoers, making new friends and unforgettable memories. It is also famously an inclusive environment for queer fans with Styles’ open support for the LGBTQ+ community, having a history of bringing pride flags onto stage. For fans that have experienced difficult stages of life and felt unsure over one’s identity, his affirmations mean more than a speech, but rather a warm hug from an old friend. The constant reminders of how he appreciates the fans and the community they have created makes a definitive difference — that you are loved no matter how you choose to express yourself.
Perhaps this should be a revolutionary norm for concerts, in the way that new, unforgettable experiences can be made while being in a safe and celebratory concert environment. The practice of venue providers working with artists to create the future of concerts that everyone will not have to be in fear of their safety and well-being, making the experience enjoyable even without the need of familiar company. Concerts are meant to be a haven to immerse in the artist’s craft, having the time of your lives celebrating a common love for music and culture. That’s what Harry’s House provides, being precisely the reason Styles’ fanbase has been cultivated with love and gratitude for all regardless of who you are.
Written by : Jia Yu
Edited by : Anjitha
