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Before Styles took to the stage, the night began with an opening set from Shania Twain, who played newer country tracks and nostalgic pop hits. Alongside newer releases including ‘Dirty Rosie’, her classic pop songs ‘That Don't Impress Me Much’ and ‘You're Still The One’ had the whole crowd partying along with her. At one point, she shared that Harry Styles had grown up listening to her in his mum's car as a child, and now she was opening for him, reflecting on the full-circle moment. Of course, a real highlight from her set was ‘Man I Feel Like A Woman!’, with the whole stadium singing along.
After Shania Twain concluded her opening set, Harry Styles took to the stage, beginning the show with one of the tracks from his latest album, ‘Are You Listening Yet?’, immediately bringing so much energy to the stage that the whole stadium erupted in excitement. He continued the set, weaving new releases with well-known fan favourites, including ‘Golden’ and ‘Adore You.’
Musically, this show feels more experimental than his previous tours. There is an artistic freedom in the way he performs, running around the stage, and dancing in the music that speaks to him. At one point, he repeated the words, “put a bell on your bicycle” over a pulsing beat, before transitioning into ‘American Girls.’ It was slightly unexpected and surreal, but it emphasises the fun he is having on this tour.
There were plenty of more emotional moments throughout the show, where Styles just let the music speak for itself. One of these standout moments was an orchestral, instrumental section where ‘History’ and ‘Falling’ were played without vocals, allowing the crowd to connect and sing along to the songs they have loved for years, together. Another similarly moving moment was a small surprise song moment, with Harry Styles on stage with his guitar. ‘Matilda’ was the song choice of night two, delivering a heartfelt performance of this moving song.
The fan interactions remain a defining part of his shows. One fan held up a sign explaining she had brought her mum, who was going through a divorce and asked for a wink. Styles winked before walking down the stage, shouting, “Freedom for the sisters! If he isn't making you happy, chuck him in the bin!”. It was a funny moment and captures the genuine connection and humour he has with his fans.
There is so much joy at a Harry Styles show, and this goes beyond the music. It's about the emotions, the people and what the experience has become. The experience of the show became what Love On Tour was all about, becoming synonymous with the feather boas, heart-shaped sunglasses, making friends and reconnecting with old ones.
The same feeling is carried into this tour. The magic created at Love On Tour hasn't disappeared; instead, it has evolved and deepened. Harry Styles created a space where people are able to feel free, safe and be themselves. This feeling was everywhere in the stadium, from people forming conga lines at the back of the standing area, to a group of people dressed as sunflowers pulling people in to dance with them.
Styles acknowledged this effect of the tour before performing ‘Fine Line’, a song he has traditionally saved to the end of shows. Instead, he placed it in the middle of the set and explained why. He spoke about the energy in the room and described the community created as something “so much bigger than me, or any music you like or any artist you follow.” He thanked the crowd for letting him be part of it, saying he has “never felt more hopeful about the future than when stepping into places like this. ‘Fine Line’ captures this perfectly, it begins softly, before building into a feeling of hope, with the words, “we'll be alright” echoing around the stadium. The show built toward ‘Sign of the Times’, a song that always delivers an emotional live performance. As the song reached the end, fireworks lit up the night sky above Wembley.
Maria Bensusan
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