Like most people with good taste, I adore Harry Styles–– pun intended. So, when he announced that he would be touring in honor of the release of his award-winning album, “Fine Line”, I joined the crowd of millions of fans in stressfully trying to secure tickets on Ticketmaster. After a few hours of anxious anticipation, sweating, and incessant texting (I’m not exaggerating–I am crazy), my best friend and I secured two stellar-view tickets to see the love of our lives in one of our favorite places: New York City. It was a dream come true. Although I am an avid music fan, I had only seen two concerts prior to Love on Tour (one of which being Harry’s first tour–I need to stop giving him my money), so I was ever-so-grateful to make this my third.
Of course, something had to put a damper on my excitement. That something was something big… you may have heard of it: Covid 19. Of course, with the world basically in shambles, the postponement of Love on Tour was not a major concern, but I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t make me sad at all. On top of this, Harry Styles is a pretty secretive and mysterious guy, so fans were left wondering how long the postponement would last, or if the concert would happen at all. After about two years of waiting, we finally received the amazing news that Love On Tour was a go for October 2021, and my friend and I could not contain our enthusiasm. We got our Harry-inspired outfits all ready, bought our train tickets, and counted down the days till October 4th.
To say that Love On Tour was an experience would be an understatement; it was magical! Harry has such an ever-changing aesthetic, and his “Fine Line Era” has been one of my favorites. So, as you can imagine, seeing practically everyone dressed to fit this brand was just as exciting for me as watching a runway show (and with the ever-so-fashionable Harries, it basically was a runway show!) As soon as I stepped foot into Madison Square Garden, the floors were covered in sparkles and feathers, all the while Harry’s music blasted through the speakers. Joy and anticipation filled the air as we walked up the escalator to get to our seats in section 103. As many know, Harry Styles’ motto is “treat people with kindness”, and this crowd of fans sure live by it — we were surrounded by some of the most warm, friendly, and complimentary people.
I love the feeling of entering a concert venue. It is an adrenaline rush that is incomparable to most other experiences. One Direction, Olivia Rodrigo, Billy Joel, and Queen blasted on the speakers as we all waited in our seats, singing along while taking photos and picking out who had the best looks of the night. My friend and I scoped the audience and spotted a multitude of banana suits, feather boas, and light up cowboy hats. Some of our favorite looks belonged to a girl with space buns and a poofy tulle powder blue dress, a guy wearing Harry’s exact Met Gala look (!!), and a girl wearing a strawberry-patterned sequin dress and heeled white leather boots.
The opening act, Jenny Lewis, was lovely. Before this, I had never really listened to Jenny Lewis (her merchandise that read “Who The F Is Jenny Lewis?!” was pretty fitting, for me at least), but after her hearty and vintage-inspired performance, I can definitely see myself becoming a fan of her work. Finally, though, the lights dimmed and the opening of “Golden” started playing, and we knew it was time for the show to really begin. Harry came out looking exuberant in a sheer low-cut white blouse and shiny patterned trousers, singing and dancing as pit audience members threw flowers and gifts to him on stage. Throughout the concert, he’d pick up some of these gifts to wear or give to band members, like the pair of clout goggles he wore for a performance, or the bouquet of sunflowers that he left on the side of the drum-set.
Harry’s vocals never fail to amaze me. He sounds just as he does on record, while adding fun riffs and key changes that are only present in live performances. Although every single song he performed was incredible, my favorites of the night were “Only Angel,” “Two Ghosts/Falling,” “Canyon Moon,” “Sign of the Times,” and “Fine Line.” I always love a song I can dance to (and I did, until I was sweaty and my feet hurt), but the slow numbers were extra touching in person. Although Harry has performed these songs hundreds of times, they never lack heart and soul; you can tell how deeply Harry feels the emotions present in his songs every time he sings them, as if he was back in the emotional state he was when first writing them.
We laughed as Harry made banter with the audience, cried as he belted heart-wrenching lyrics of love and loss, danced as he jived, and cheered as he waved the Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at the audience. He connected us all through music, and the concert acted as a celebration for how far we have all come together. Harry Styles had no shortage of positivity and energy throughout the entirety of the concert which made the price of tickets well worth it. This was a concert I will never forget, along with Harry’s teachings of love, kindness, and acceptance.