After the epic conclusion of Harry Styles’ “Love on Tour,” a nearly two year long series of shows spread across the globe, and a three year long hiatus, Styles is back on the stage and in the spotlight. Touring his fourth studio album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” Styles has embarked on a global residency tour, “Together, Together.”
This past summer, Styles kicked off the tour at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with later stops including Wembley Stadium in London, Estádio do MorumBIS in São Paulo, and Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. Now, fans are currently flocking to Madison Square Garden, where Styles will play for 30 nights.
Immediately stepping into Madison Square Garden, the excitement felt by the fans was palpable. As eager concert goers joined merchandise lines wrapping around the arena, or went to find their seats, there was an anticipation in the air for when the show would start. Many dressed up in glittery, shimmery tops, or in their best button-ups paired with ties, a nod to Styles himself.
Preceding Harry Styles was Jamie xx, a DJ meant to hype up the crowd and get them ready for Harry Styles disco, electronic, dance music. Coming on stage at 8:00, Jamie xx turns the massive arena into a club, playing a variety of pulsing music and beats so heavy they are felt in addition to being heard. Having a unique setlist of his own music and covers, Jamie xx changes his setlist every night, allowing every show to be unique.
At about 8:55 when Jamie xx finishes his set, his final song transitions into “Dance No More.” Unlike his previous tours, which featured a video intro that hyped fans up before Styles walked out, for “Together, Together” Styles simply walks onto the stage, greeted by roaring fans. Grooving to the music and kicking off his set, this more simplistic entrance adds a more casual and inviting feeling to the show.
Following that, Styles continues the show with “Carolina,” a favorite from his debut, self-titled album. Throughout the first half of the show, Styles mixes songs from the new album with songs from the previous three, giving fans the opportunity to hear all different music. One minute the arena might be jamming out to “Watermelon Sugar” from Styles’ second studio album “Fine Line,” and the other they might be dancing to “Cinema” from his third studio album, “Harry’s House.” However, during the second half of the show Styles plays songs exclusively from “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.”
A common theme during this half is the inspiration of dance music on Styles. Instead of letting the songs play to their complete end, they transitioned into each other seamlessly using thumping disco beats.
A unique element to this tour is the stage setup. Instead of having one traditional stage at the front of the arena, Styles’ has a circular main stage in the center of the room for all to see. Connecting to and surrounding that stage is an ellipse shaped pathway.
Together, the two stages form the shape of an eye, and give fans a completely unobstructed view of Styles’ during every point of the show. Styles makes sure no fans feel left out and are all included in the show as he runs around the stages during the night, interacting with all sections of the crowd. Projected onto that stage are graphics corresponding with the song being played. A sushi conveyor belt during “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” and a flashing walkway during “Ready, Steady, Go!” corresponding with the tempo of the song.
After the second half, Styles takes a short break before slowing the show down for a moment with a piano version of “Carla’s Song,” and “Coming Up Roses.” During these two, many fans turned on their phone flashlights, illuminating Madison Square Garden in an intimate glow. For the encore, Styles wraps up the show with “Sign of the Times” and “Aperture.” As an interlude between the two, Styles does a small DJ set of his own using a synthesizer to pump up the crowd and get them going before the final song.
On Sept. 10, Styles announced new tour dates, bringing “Together, Together” to more cities and fans. The additional stops include: Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Dublin, and London. These will be the final dates of the tour, so any fans that have the opportunity to go definitely should.
Styles’ show creates a special environment, bringing everyone together, giving them a chance to truly be in the moment. The final lyric, “we belong together,” which Styles has fans repeat numerous times, acts as a message for this tour–that deep down we are all human, and now more than ever. Society has to remember that.
