For more than a decade, I somehow managed to avoid attending a live concert. Whenever the idea came up among friends or family, I chose the comfort of home, reasoning that headphones could deliver the same songs without the hassle. But after experiencing Harry Styles' opening concert at Wembley Stadium—where he is set to perform 11 more shows—I can truly say I have been missing out.
My last concert was Eminem at Wembley in 2014, preceded by Jay Z and Kanye West at the same venue a few years earlier. I had a strong track record at Wembley, but as I approached the stadium for Harry Styles, I couldn't help comparing it to the many football matches I had attended there. From Tottenham's Champions League games to West Ham's Championship playoff, this was a different kind of crowd, adorned in pink cowboy hats. Yet I was struck by the similarity in passion between football fans and music fans.
After an impressive opening set by Shania Twain and Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' blasting through the speakers, the show began with Harry Styles walking on stage in a suit. Initially hesitant, I soon felt as if I had stepped into a church, with the former One Direction star as the deity. His opening ballads—'Ready, Steady, Go' and 'Watermelon Sugar'—captivated me and the thousands in the audience.
As he paid tribute to earlier singles like 'Coming Up Roses' and 'Falling,' people around me began to cry, which confused me. But the 32-year-old artist summed it up perfectly, reminding us how special it is to come together and enjoy wonderful music.
Why I denied myself such public joy remains a mystery. But Harry taught me that I need to attend many more concerts. The message is loud and clear.
