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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amber O'Connor

Inside Harry Styles concert in 30C heat - stage nerves, sequins and and sweet gesture

Huddled shoulder to shoulder with sweaty strangers, as the mercury inched its way toward 30C on Tuesday, I found myself in the middle of what I'd call a "nightmare" at any other time. But this evening, there was nowhere I'd rather be.

I was one of thousands inside Wembley Stadium, which has this week been taken over by Harry Styles' Love On Tour, waiting for the first of four sold out nights.

The hit-filled setlist was packed full of punchy tunes, but this performance was about more than the music. Styles and his team went all out to welcome fans to 'Harry's House' - to create an experience that felt like coming home.

From the touching moment Styles helped a fan who wanted to come out during Pride month, to his heartfelt thanks for everyone who has supported him over his 13-year long career, the show celebrated love in all its forms.

As soon as Styles roared onto the stage, the former One Direction member's love of his craft was evident. How could it not be when he spent the evening galloping, shimmying, and leaping across the stadium?

Ever the performer, Styles wanted to celebrate his joyous music with his fans as much as they wanted to dance (and scream) along with him.

It was an evening I'll never forget (Amber O'Connor)
One I'm glad my sister could witness (Amber O'Connor)

Chart-topper As It Was, crowd-favourite Medicine, and the firework-backed Sign of the Times were standouts for me. So too was Matilda - a heartfelt song about the family we choose - that perfectly encapsulated the atmosphere in the stadium where Styles told fans to "feel free to be who you've always wanted to be."

I'll never forget the look on the face of a young fan named Evie, who celebrated coming out during the show. As Styles explained to the audience during their heartwarming exchange, Evie held a sign that read: "Seeing as it is Pride Month can you help me come out?"

Styles happily obliged, triumphantly raising a Pride flag onstage on Evie's behalf while the crowd cheered their congratulations.

The show celebrated love (Amber O'Connor)
And the power in being yourself (Amber O'Connor)

It was one of countless moments of kindness I saw throughout the evening, as fans upheld Styles' promise "we're going to stay safe" together during what at times felt like a stiflingly hot stadium.

As fans danced together, helped ushers to hand out water to each other, and supported one another, I couldn't think of any better example for my younger sister, who joined me to watch the show.

Evidently, they were following the lead of pop's Golden boy. Styles delivered a firecracker of a show - entertaining, amusing and delighting audiences, all the while treating people with kindness.

Throughout the evening, he repeatedly thanked everyone who has supported him in the years since his X Factor debut.

The singer was also full of praise for the night's brilliant support acts Wet Leg, and Madi Diaz, also a member of Styles' band, who later joined him onstage.

The effect? The whole evening felt like a family affair, bringing together Styles' own loved ones, who watched on from the audience, and everyone who has supported him over the years.

Thanking the crowd, Styles said: "I know how important it is to be here tonight, what it means to me to be here tonight.

"It makes it feel like it is supposed to be something all unto itself and it gets really scary that it might never live up to what I think it is going to be, and I want to thank you because every single time I come here you give me these memories that I know I'm going to be thinking about for the rest of my life.

"Thank you so, so much. If you've been supporting me for one year, five years, thirteen years whatever it is. Thank you."

Later, watching the audience file out with their feather boas in hand, I suspect they would say the same about an evening that will be hard to forget.

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