There are so many words to describe what it’s like to see Harry Styles live on his first solo tour, and yet, there also isn’t enough.
Most would crumble under the pressure trying to keep British Rock alive in the digitalized era, but Harry Styles dove in headfirst. At Massey Hall we saw Styles come to life even with only 10 songs to his name, the bright 23-year-old has the stage presence and charm of a rocker twice his age.
Two years ago Styles played the Rogers Centre in Toronto with One Direction to a crowd of over 50,000 fans. This time he was back at Massey Hall playing to a small audience of only 2,700, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the rockstar they’ve missed dearly. He’ll make his return in June of next year to headline the Air Canada Centre.
Watching him strut across the stage with a swagger to his step is a breath of fresh air. He has an aura that screams he’s an “old soul” trapped in the wrong decade. Wearing a custom-made Gucci suit that was adorned with a metallic sheen and a floral pattern that suited the flared trouser, Styles feels like he could fit right in with rockstars from the 1960s and ‘70s.
The crowd knew how to be respectful. No one rushed the stage while Styles made his entrance during the opening harmonies of “Ever Since New York.” Everyone listened when he spoke or joined in singing when he asked. And they were loud. Styles even mentioned that the audience was, “ louder than America,” which of course led to more screams.
Backed by his four-piece rock band of drummer/vocalist Sarah Jones, keyboardist/vocalist Clare Uchima, bassist/vocalist Adam Pendergast and guitarist/vocalist Mitch Rowland, while also playing guitar he performed all ten songs from his solo album along with covers like the Ariana Grande song he co-wrote, “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart,” and Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.”
Of course, he could never forget where he came from. The 23-year-old questioned if anyone had seen him with his “wonderful friends” on tour before barreling into his revamped versions of “Stockholm Syndrome” and “What Makes You Beautiful,” while prancing around the stage in a rainbow feather boa during the latter.
The most touching moment had to be when Styles asked for everyone to hold hands and embrace one another. Looking around the room and seeing every single person joined together is such a simple gesture that unifies us for one night, regardless of being different. He’s created a safe space for fans to be themselves with no restrictions.
After many chants of a repeat performance of “Kiwi,” he ended the night with his debut single “Sign of the Times.” This apocalyptic rock ballad constantly builds with tension that holds you until the very last moment that Styles walks off the stage (after a stream of thank you’s and blown kisses). It’s a moment that you want to freeze in time and wish you could relive over and over again. There’s something about singing such a powerful song at the top of your lungs in a room full of so much love that everyone should experience.
And that’s what the overall night was; an experience. There are so many words to describe what it’s like to see Harry Styles live on his first solo tour, and yet, there also isn’t enough. He commands a crowd with ease, parades around the stage with a daring look in his eye and makes each and every person attending feel like they’re home.
