Pop sensation Harry Styles commenced his highly anticipated residency at Wembley Stadium by taking a nostalgic journey back to his roots, reminiscing about his pivotal X Factor audition. Addressing a sold-out crowd of 80,000 fans, the Cheshire-raised star highlighted the significance of Wembley Arena, located adjacent to the stadium, as the very place where his journey into global stardom with One Direction began.
Styles openly expressed gratitude to his sister, who accompanied him to London for the audition in 2010, and his mother, Anne, who secretly submitted his application when he was just 16. He credited their support as instrumental to his current success, stating he 'wouldn't be here today' without his mother's initiative. His X Factor audition featured renditions of Train's 'Hey Soul Sister' and Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely', leading to his formation in the iconic boyband.
The concert itself was a spectacle, blending Styles' distinctive stage presence with a focus on community and shared euphoria. Fans, many dressed in elaborate sequins and feather boas, held up hand-painted signs, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Styles engaged directly with the audience, even humorously answering a fan's question about his favourite type of egg (fried, followed by scrambled).
The stage design for this tour has been meticulously crafted to foster intimacy within the vast stadium setting. Three interconnected catwalks extend into the audience, creating smaller compartments in the standing areas and allowing Styles to interact closely with fans throughout the performance. This setup, reportedly tweaked since the tour's launch in Amsterdam to improve sightlines, aims to replicate the feel of a more intimate club show.
Styles’ setlist spanned his four solo albums, showcasing a range from the upbeat pop of 'Adore You' to the emotive balladry of 'Sign of the Times'. While his latest album, 'Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally', has received mixed critical reception, the songs reportedly burst into vibrant life on stage, elevated by his powerful 18-member band. The residency promises a series of electrifying performances for UK fans.
Source: Wembley Stadium concert attendees