Pop superstar Harry Styles commenced his extensive 12-show residency at Wembley Stadium by dedicating a poignant tribute to the recently deceased artist David Hockney. Hockney, widely recognised as one of the most influential British artists of his generation, passed away peacefully at his home on 11 June at the age of 88, as confirmed by his representatives.
Before performing his track 'Aperture' to a capacity crowd on Friday evening, a profound quote from Hockney was displayed on screens around the iconic venue. The quote read, "What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing. You wouldn’t be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought." This gesture underscored the mutual admiration between the two figures, bridging the worlds of contemporary music and fine art.
Styles had previously sat for Hockney at the artist's studio in Normandy for his 2023 'Drawing from Life' exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. The resulting portrait captured Styles in a distinctive bright yellow and orange striped cardigan. Hockney, in a 2023 interview with British Vogue, commented that he focused on capturing Styles' essence rather than his celebrity, stating, "I wasn’t really aware of his celebrity then. He was just another person who came to the studio." Styles himself expressed his privilege at being painted by Hockney, crediting the artist with "reinventing the way we look at the world for decades."
Beyond the artistic tribute, Styles' Wembley residency is poised to make a significant economic impact on the local area and break two notable records. He is scheduled to achieve the most performances by any artist at the stadium in a single year, and also the most Wembley shows played by a solo artist on one tour. The previous record for the latter was held by Taylor Swift, who performed eight shows in 2024. These record-breaking engagements are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans, boosting hospitality, retail, and transport sectors in London.
The scale of Styles' residency highlights the considerable economic power of major live music events in the UK. Each concert draws a substantial influx of visitors, who typically spend on accommodation, food and drink, merchandise, and local transport. For businesses around Wembley, including hotels, restaurants, and pubs, these events represent a significant revenue opportunity, contributing to job creation and economic activity in the capital. While specific financial figures for this residency are not yet public, similar large-scale events can inject millions of pounds into the local economy per show.