Fans screamed, others cried, and the show began with the first track from his album, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant”. It’s eclectic and playful sound filled the arena and was a perfect opener with both Styles and fans serenading each other with lyrics, “it’s cause I love you babe / in every kind of way”.
Styles announced at the end of his second track “Late Night Talking, he would be playing the album the way it was intended to be played “from start to finish”. His goal for the night was for fans to leave everything behind for those ninety minutes, urging us to all dance and be whoever we wanted to be.
Though the crowd mostly swayed and danced during the first three tracks of the album with it being new, it was “As it Was” that brought the stadium down. It was no surprise that Styles had a hard time singing over the fans with his chart-dominating song.
The night didn’t go without many thanks for fans, friends, and those who helped him with the creation of his third album. Styles made sure to stop before several songs to offer personal messages of gratitude. He thanked longtime friend and collaborator Kid Harpoon for “Daylight”, mentioning that they wrote the song in a hotel room in Tokyo together. Tyler Johnson, his producer got a thank you before “Daydreaming”. But Styles gave his deepest thank you to lead guitarist and best friend Mitch Rowland, who got a standing ovation from the crowd.
Each song on the album stands out on their own but together Styles has created this strategic and linear rhythm that commands the crowd for those ninety minutes he’s on stage. With a wide range of sounds from the keyboard, drums, and guitar, it seems as if Styles intended to push the limits of his bandmembers talent to create something extraordinary. Harrys House was made to be performed live. Styles proves time and time again that he isn’t going anywhere as his talents and songs get better with each album. When you’re at his level of fame there is nothing left to prove but there is a humbleness to him that will keep his fans following him for decades to come.
Styles has the power to capture the audience in a way that makes each song feel like it’s dedicated to you. Though performing a new album no one has ever heard live could make any artist nervous, fans give him a space where he can be free. There is a shared bond and adoration between them. Each show means something to Styles, especially one with songs he is playing for the very first time.
Styles finished Harry House by dedicating the last song “Love of My Life” to Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer who has been a huge supporter of his entire career. The solo artist went on to mention that Stringer has always given him a creative freedom to push boundaries with his music, which in the end, has rewarded them both.
Though Harry’s House may have been over, Styles wasn’t letting the crowd go anywhere. The encore began and he played past singles from his back catalog. Fans sang along to familiar faves such as “Watermelon Sugar”, “Adore You”, and “What Makes You Beautiful”. Styles also played his debut single, “Sign of the Times” which he dedicated to those suffering in Ukraine - a powerful moment that shed light on real world issues outside the arena.
They say all good things must come to an end, and so Styles, who also seemed reluctant to wrap up, played a second encore of “As it Was” before leaving the stage.
Each song on the album is a love letter, to a friend, to a country, to a partner. Styles is in a confident place in his career, free to be as experimental as he pleases and to give the world music he is proud to share. Standing alongside twenty thousand other fans living their best lives, Harry’s House did indeed feel like home.
For the first time since 2018, Harry Styles will tour Australia; Love on Tour kicks off in Perth on February 20, 2023. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.
Setlist
Music for Sushi Restaurant
Late Night Talking
Grapejuice
As It Was
Daylight
Little Freak
Matilda
Cinema
Daydreaming
Keep Driving
Satellite
Boyfriends
Love Of My Life
First Encore
Adore You
Watermelon Sugar
What Makes You Beautiful
Sign of the Times
Kiwi
Second Encore
As It Was
