In a couple of months, we will yet again see Harry Styles prancing around in all his glory on stage. Screaming fans decked out in their own version of Style's fashion, proudly waving around rainbow flags with gleaming unapologetic smiles on their faces. And if you're anything like me, you're more than ready to become entranced with Style's utter charm and talent on stage yet again.
If you live under a rock and haven't heard of Harry Styles, then you probably wouldn't know that as of April last year Styles released his first single apart from One Direction, "Sign of the Times". And, in May of last year, was the first of the One Direction members to release a debut album, simply titled Harry Styles. It was apparent from hearing the nearly six minute long rock ballad "Sign of the Times" to seeing Harry bathing in millennial pink water on his album cover that Styles was going for something very different. More of a mysterious aesthetic that leaves people wanting to know more.
At the end of last year, Styles had his first solo tour. The tickets went on sale even before the album came out. The stress to get tickets was at an all-time high because the venues Styles chose to play were much smaller, and I mean much smaller, than he ever did with One Direction. The capacity of the entire U.S. part of the Style's tour could fit into a single Metlife stadium that One Direction played in the past. It was so successful that the tickets sold out for the U.S. leg of the tour in less than 30 seconds! I would know because I was one of the thousands of fans waiting desperately by my phone at school, watching the countdown clock on Ticketmaster, to attempt to get just one ticket. Although I failed at getting tickets, I was determined to go no matter the amount of money I had to spend. Completely filled with anger, sadness, confusion and being the frantic determined fan I am, I made the rash decision of buying a single ticket on Stubhub for a ridiculous amount of money. However, I made the right choice. I went to the concert four and a half months later and the amount of joy I felt during that hour and fifteen minutes made me feel as though I was living in a different reality and none of it was real.
Besides for playing the ten songs off his debut solo album on the last tour, Styles also sang rock versions of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" (much to fans' surprise) and "Stockholm Syndrome". Also, he did covers of Ariana Grande's "Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart", which he wrote, as well as Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain".
Anyway, Styles is embarking on another longer sold out tour this year with bigger venues and these are the eight things that we need to absolutely see this time around...
1. New Cover Songs
The fact that Styles and his band made up of Adam Prendergast, Mitch Rowland, Clare Uchima, and Sarah Jones can make a rock version of any song thrown their way is beyond me. From covering "The Chain" to "Wild Thoughts" to "Girl Crush" to Kanye West's "Ultralight Beam", is there anything that Styles and his band cannot do?!
2. New Suits
Styles made his own unique mark on his last tour by wearing custom-made suits of various brands. Now tell me the last time you've seen a major artist this day in age wear Gucci suits to every stop on their tour?
Styles has always been quite the fashion enthusiast wearing notable expensive brands of clothing that are worth more than my entire bank account. I swear Style's wardrobe consists of either ripped jeans, vintage band t-shirts, and Chelsea boots or elaborately patterned Gucci suits; there is no in between.
So seeing Styles at the Chicago show strut his stuff in a glittering green and pink suit (although I swear it looked purple and blue) was a gift that everyone should experience again.
3. Acoustic B Stage Set
On this upcoming tour, almost every venue has some sort of b stage set up. This is basically a smaller stage in the middle of the crowd. An acoustic set with a single chair and guitar in hand midway through the concert would be beautiful for Styles to show off his vocal and musical ability.
4. Playing The Piano
We all know that Harry can play the piano if you've seen the behind the album film. There was a small clip of him playing some of the notes to "Sign of the Times" on the piano. Although he has never publically played the piano for a show, it is truly a necessity that has to be done on this tour. Maybe he can even play One Direction's "If I Could Fly" on the piano, which is another song Styles wrote that has never been performed before. That would be something to obsess and cry over in such a good way.
5. Unreleased Songs
Harry has only ten songs on his album, but we know he wrote at least fifty extra unreleased songs. From the titles "Baby Honey" to "Complicated Freak", we one hundred percent NEED to hear these songs live, and what better way to make this tour different than to add new songs. Above is an alleged list of registered songs...
6. 2018 Version of "Don't Let Me Go"
Back in 2013, a song Styles wrote and recorded called "Don't Let Me Go" leaked and everyone freaked out. Back then everyone was afraid that Styles was going to go solo, but now since that's a reality, there is no reason not to sing this lovely ballad of a song, which Harry wrote when he was just nineteen years old.
7. More Stage Production
Last year, we got a more stripped-down version of Styles on stage either singing with his guitar or bouncing around with microphone in hand in smaller venues. Although that was refreshing and great, I think it's now time to add more stuff considering the bigger venues this tour, notably the famous Madison Square Garden. Adding extra lights and production would give the show much more of a grandiose rock n' roll feeling. And, of course, Harry has to continue the tradition of throwing water on the first few rows of people, cause it wouldn't be a Harry Styles show without the possibility of randomly getting water thrown on you. Maybe we can see a stage that rises up above the crowd, a stunning flower-filled background with a gospel choir during "Sign Of The Times" and a pyro-filled performance of "Kiwi", or is that asking for too much?
8. Bring A Fan Up On Stage
Although Styles tends to stick with a script for most of his shows, it is known he likes to talk to fans in the crowd or jokingly mock them. Whenever he does this, you can see his personality and charm come alive. Often he asks of the names of people in the crowd and tries to personally get to know them a bit better.
However, almost never does he bring a fan up on stage. While this is a big stretch, I'm begging you, Harry, to bring a fan up on stage at least during one of your shows. Catch me front row in the pit during the concert in St. Paul, Minnesota this year (*wink wink*).
Besides all these suggestions, Harry will put on a fantastic tour like no other. He is truly an artist you need to see live, and the music he is making now transcends all ages and time. Whether you're a teenage girl or a middle-aged man, I guarantee you will fall for Harry's Mick Jagger-like charm and his seemingly utter appreciation and embodiment of rock music. It's inescapable. Like Maroon 5 once said, "He's got the moves like Jagger". And by "he", I'm pretty sure they mean Harry Styles.
To check out more of Harry Styles performances, watch the videos below...