My Harry Styles Concert Experience

                I never used to be much of a concert person. I’ve seen less than ten in my twenty eight years. I’ve always enjoyed myself but it takes a lot for me to want to shell out the money to see an artist. Which I think makes them more special to me because they’re people I truly love and enjoy and connect to through their lyrics.

                It’s always about lyrics for me. It’s the reader and writer in me. I have to relate, I have to feel something when I hear the song. I usually come across artists through different ways. The same way I go through stages with actors. I’ll watch one movie and then I’ll want to watch everything they’ve ever done and through that, I’ll find more and more actors and so on and so forth.

                Actually, a movie is what brought me to Harry Styles. Christopher Nolan is one of my all-time favorite directors. Over a year ago, he announced his new movie Dunkirk with Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy (two of my favorites). But Harry Styles’ name popped up in the cast list and I had no clue who the hell he was…because I’m 28 and when he was getting popular from One Direction I was already in college and not listening to any new music. I still very rarely listen to new music.

                But oh YouTube brought me into the world of One Direction and what a world it is. The music is fun and their last two albums were a lot more grown up and easier to relate to. I’m a fan of all of their solo music now.

                Harry released his solo album and two songs stood out to me. Sweet Creature and From the Dining Table. I love them, I love how they feel like classic rock. They’re both ballads but they’re beautiful and you can feel the emotion behind each of them.

                Last night, Harry played Tower Theater in Philly. I was apparently one of the first 1,000 people in line which seems insane to me because it felt like I was behind at least 2,000. But because of this I was given a wristband for the pit area. Never in my life have I been in a pit. It was great at first but then they slowly let in more and more people.

                Right before they lifted his curtain, they all surged forward and I instantly felt like I was being suffocated. I fought my way to stand at the back of the pit and it was amazing. I had room to dance and breathe and I was still less than fifty feet from him.

                I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed in myself for not staying in the pit because I could have been even closer to him but honestly, I’m too old and my anxiety level is too high for that kind of thing. However, the magic of the concert was not lost. I took some pictures and only a couple videos because I looked forward and saw a couple of girls with their phones raised the whole time and I couldn’t believe it. I put mine away and just watched, sang, and danced my heart out. I experienced the concert as fully as I possibly could.

                I’ve never been that close at a concert before and being that close was unbelievable. The best part of the whole show was Harry’s stage presence. He was running around, dancing, and jumping. It was infectious and everyone could feel it. Harry was kind and gracious and so appreciative of everything in front of him.

                The love and camaraderie in the room was palpable and you could especially see it in the sea of pride flags at the concert. I’ve never seen anything like it but it was beautiful and I’m so proud to be part of a generation where inclusion is such a big part of our lives.

                Love is love.

                Harry’s whole slogan is: Treat People With Kindness. You can see how he puts that into the world and how his fans try to do the same thing.

                I could not be happier about my concert going experience last night. So much so that I could barely sleep last night until I could write all this down.

                Thanks, Harry Styles and his entire band, for such an unforgettable night. I can’t wait to see what else he has in store for the music industry.