“Have fun tonight, and if you can’t have fun: fake it, and you might end up on Netflix.”
With the release of his newest album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, Harry Styles returns to the stage for the first time in three years. Performing his new LP in full — alongside some past hits — Styles brings the show to the stage of his personally-sponsored Manchester concert arena: Co-Op Live. Also in tow is streaming giant Netflix, who professionally filmed the show for a live concert special now available.
The concert came with one notable restriction: the show was entirely phone-free! In an era where glowing screens and faceless cameras increasingly dominate the crowd, the absence of phones advocates for a much more present and attentive audience. Of course, this comes with a clear drawback: attendees are unable to record and preserve their own personal memories of the gig. Disposable film cameras were offered as a compromise, but their limited range and visual fidelity has been an item of criticism amongst attendees, with many receiving blurry, unfocused results.
Fans were given plenty to pay attention to however; Styles’ new sonic direction leans toward sleek electronics and disco rhythm, drawing clear inspiration from the effortlessly cool, propulsive grooves of LCD Soundsystem. New tracks like the funky ‘Dance No More’ and dance-punk-esque ‘Are You Listening Yet?’ burst with kinetic energy, aided by a typically charismatic and energetic performance from Styles. Particular praise must be given to drummer Sarah Jones, whose diverse and rigorous playing drives much of the show’s momentum forward.
The arrangements expand beyond the core band as well, with the show featuring appearances from the House Gospel Choir and a full string section. They complement the newer sweeping ballad ‘Coming up Roses,’ while also bringing grandeur to older material such as ‘Sign of the Times.’ Styles digs into his catalogue with the first rendition of ‘From the Dining Table’ since 2018, before launching into an encore of his customary hits: ‘Golden,’ ‘Watermelon Sugar,’ and ‘As It Was.’ The night is brought to a close with a second performance of his new lead single ‘Aperture,’ a choice that neatly brings the setlist full circle.
The concert special itself is impressively filmed. Long, fluid tracking shots follow Harry as he moves across the stage, at times making you feel almost as if you are part of his band, performing alongside him as the show unfolds. Its direction effectively captures the scale of the arena, and the intimacy of the performance. Styles himself seems completely reinvigorated. His voice sounds strong and healthy, his dancing feels loose and joyful, and he frequently shows this enthusiasm to the crowd. While his gratitude-filled speeches occasionally verge on the heavy-handed, he seems genuinely thrilled to be back on stage and to be performing again – this new material clearly means a lot to him, and he’s visibly proud to be sharing it live.
Tickets for the night were sold at a bargain price of £20! This is a startlingly low price in today’s pricing culture to see a pop star of this standing, but this fact is slightly tempered by the fact that tickets for Harry Styles’ main tour range into the £400s. In this context, the bargain prices for this particular evening feel both generous and faintly ironic in perspective.
Ultimately, Harry Styles’ One Night Only performance finds the former One Direction star sounding refreshed and confident in his new sonic direction. It’s a confident return to performing live, and an exciting preview of his forthcoming worldwide tour — but questions arise as to what may be lost on a larger stage. This show serves to capture a rare example of connection and presence in an increasingly online-focused world, and whether that balance can survive a global, stadium-spanning tour remains to be seen.
“Harry Styles – Love On Tour @ Jeunesse Arena (52555729295)” by Leticia Moraes from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.