It is no secret that I am a massive fan of Harry Styles.
From a young age, I idolized One Direction so much that I had a notebook with all five boys’ faces on the cover. Although that music is nostalgic for me now, Harry Styles’ music is something I believe has accompanied me through many stages of life.
Styles’ debut album, titled “Harry Styles,” was released when I was in my sophomore year of high school. Being easily the hardest year of my life, 15-year-old me listened to “Sign of the Times” on repeat.
As much as the impact that album had on my life, Styles’ second album, “Fine Line,” arguably had even more of an effect on me. This is exactly why I signed up for presale tickets to his second tour, Love on Tour.
My friend, Amelia, and I both convinced our parents to sign up for the presale in the fall of 2019. We wanted to get the best seats possible, but knew that the odds of us getting the presale tickets would be unlikely. Once the presale went live, the only person who was able to secure two tickets was Amelia’s dad. Thanks to him, we secured two seats at the Cleveland show.
After purchasing our tickets, we quickly began to plan for what could be one of the most exciting concerts we had ever been to. Shortly after this, COVID-19 shut everything down. The tour was postponed and we had no idea if the concert would ever happen.
That was over two years ago. Amelia and I waited 18 months (which is hilarious considering that the One Direction hiatus was only supposed to be 18 months, when in reality it has been over 5 years) for Love on Tour. And the wait was worth it.
On Monday, Oct.18, Amelia and I packed up her car and drove to Cleveland. We arrived two hours before the concert started, so we used the time to walk around the venue and take pictures. We also talked with other people going to the concert.
The atmosphere was something that I wish I could experience again. Everyone was dressed in suits, funky pants, heels, glitter, boas and other clothes that are considered “out of the norm.” I felt so accepted. Wearing my pink suit and gold boots, I felt on top of the world.
After showing proof of our vaccination status, we went through security and found our seats. We watched Jenny Lewis, the opener, while we ate pizza we bought merch from a vendor.
After more waiting, the lights suddenly shut off. The crowd started screaming in excitement and it took me a second to realize that I was doing the same. I quickly grabbed my phone to record Amelia’s and my reaction to seeing Styles and the band on stage.
I went to Live on Tour in 2018, Styles’ tour for his debut album, and thought it would be funny to see the difference in reactions. After looking at both videos, there were no differences. Both started with me screaming and ended with me crying. After waiting and looking forward to something for so long, it felt surreal to be there.
The visuals throughout the concert were some of the best I have ever seen. I have been to over fifteen concerts in my life and the visuals at Love on Tour come second to the 1975 at Express Live! In 2019. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Styles admitted that most of “Fine Line” was written while he and the band were on psychedelic drugs. This definitely influenced the visuals for the concert.
During the concert Styles reacted to signs made by fans, had the crowd sing happy birthday to a fan in the pit, and danced around the stage waving different Pride and Black Lives Matter flags.
Amelia and I danced our hearts out during the entire concert. Towards the end, I could feel blisters forming on my feet and did not know if I would be able to continue jumping around the way I was. Then Styles did a complete 180 with the set list, going from upbeat songs such as “Treat People With Kindness” and “Sunflower Vol. 6” to “Sign of the Times” and “Fine Line”.
The crowd was silent as Styles sang both songs, something I was thankful for. “Fine Line” was the song that got me through my first year of college. Through quarantine. Through all of these times of extreme change I would listen to this song and feel hopeful. Naturally, I started sobbing halfway through the song. The overwhelming emotions I felt were ones that I could not contain.
At the end of the song Styles thanked the crowd, which led to fans believing that the concert was over. But once the intro to “Kiwi” started, I forgot about the pain in my feet and started jumping again.
Knowing that this was definitely the last song of the concert, Amelia and I danced as crazy as we could. It felt amazing to let go. Literally dance like no one is watching.
After the concert ended we sat outside the venue, basking in our emotions and laughing at things that happened throughout the day. The drive home was mostly silent. There was nothing left to say. We finally experienced the concert we waited two years for and now that it was over, we did not know what to do with ourselves.
Looking back on the night, I’m happy I had to wait two years for Harry Styles. It made me grateful that I was lucky enough to experience Love on Tour. Knowing how fun that night was, I would willingly wait again to experience that type of love and acceptance.
