★★★★★
NOT many artists have crossed the uncertain bridge from boybander to bona fide superstar but Harry Styles has more than nailed it.
And as he opened the first night of his epic Together, Together tour at the Johan Cruijff Arena — home to Dutch football giants — tens of thousands of fans had come to worship who is held up by devotees as a musical demigod.
Harry Styles performs on stage during his Together, Together Tour at Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands Credit: Getty
Harry kicked off the show with new track Are You Listening Yet before charging into fan-fave Golden Credit: Getty
“Yesterday I got that feeling when you’re little, when you’re not sure if anyone is going to come to your birthday party,” Harry told the 50,000-strong crowd after kicking off the show with new track Are You Listening Yet before charging into fan-fave Golden.
“It means the world that you came tonight. I challenge you to have as much fun as I am.”
Challenge dutifully accepted, Harry’s fans were mesmerised as he charged through songs from his last two two albums Fine Lines and .
Tracks from his latest No1 record , were greeted with just as much rapture as the mega-hits — and my favourite, Coming Up Roses, was amplified by an orchestra who also lifted surprise song Matilda to new heights.
Harry — a perfectionist, I’m told — was still tinkering with his set list until minutes before the show.
His energy is unbridled, with the staging for this show — which will see the star playing a record-breaking 12 nights at London’s — the biggest gigs of his career.
In total, the stages run for half a kilometre and Harry used every inch of the set-up to get as close as possible to his fans.
Visually the show is equally as impressive, with Harry using the concerts to take people on a night out with him.
“The team who worked on the show with Harry said he wanted the concert to feel like they were going with him on a night out,” an insider told me.
“The set list starts light, then goes full disco before it comes back down again.”
The disco more than pops off as Harry hits a crescendo with Ready Steady Go, Dance No More, Treat People With Kindness and the ludicrously catchy Pop.
SETLIST
- Are You Listening Yet?
- Golden
- Adore You
- Watermelon Sugar
- Music For A Sushi Restaurant
- Taste Back
- Coming Up Roses
- Fine Line
- Italian Girls
- American Girls
- Keep Driving
- Ready, Steady, Go
- Dance No More
- Treat People With Kindness
- Pop
- Season 2 Weight Loss
- Carla’s (Satellite) Song
- Aperture
- Matilda
- Sign Of The Times
- As It Was
Watched by his proud mum , and his fiancée , Harry repeatedly thanked the crowd for coming on this journey with him.
The show ended with his genius Sign Of The Times and As It Was.
Every word Harry utters is sincere and heartfelt.
“We live in a time where it doesn’t feel cool to try,” Harry said. “But I think trying is the coolest thing you can do.
“When I see how you treat each other, how you dance with a friend or a stranger — this is what it’s about . . . being open to people.
“The only thing to do is exist with integrity and respect and love for each other.
“None of these songs would exist if it wasn’t about being open to things. And you have changed my life over and over again.”
This show is spectacular. If you have a ticket for Wembley, you’re in for one hell of a night.
BACK TO SCHOOL
The cast of High School Musical are getting together once again for a special documentary to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release Credit: Disney
IF you were a fan of then I’ve got some great news for you.
I’m told the cast of the 2006 film, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel , are getting together once again for a special documentary to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.
“High School Musical revolution- ised teen pop culture and this is going to be a celebration of everything the film was and still is,” one of my TV moles explained.
“Its legacy and the impact it had is still visible now, and to date it is Disney’s most commercially successful television film.
“To celebrate the two-decade anniversary, Disney bosses have got all the cast together again to look back at the impact the film had on their careers and how High School Musical shaped them.
“It’s going to be a massive celebration and a proper trip down memory lane.”
Details of the production and the release date are still being kept under wraps, but watch this space . . .
City boy brothers
Noel and Liam Gallagher at the FA Cup Final Credit: Getty
Football fans spotted the Manchester City nuts watching their team’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup Final on Saturday Credit: JASONPIX
THE brotherly love between and only seems to be growing stronger.
Football fans spotted the nuts watching their team’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the on Saturday, with the rockers joining in a rendition of Hey Jude as the Sky Blues clinched the trophy.
My mate who spotted them in the stands at Wembley told me: “They didn’t stop laughing and smiling. Noel and Liam seem genuinely so close again. It was amazing to see them like that.”
Bring on 2027.
SHINDIG HOLDS ITS GROUND
Shindig Festival is refusing to wave the white flag – with organisers confirming the bash will go ahead next week despite a threat to its licence Credit: Shindig Festival
Organisers of the Wiltshire weekender have insisted controversial duo Bob Vylan are staying on the bill Credit: Reuters
SHINDIG Festival is refusing to wave the white flag – with organisers confirming the bash will go ahead next week despite a threat to its licence.
Organisers of the Wiltshire weekender have insisted controversial duo are staying on the bill.
Festival boss Simon Clarke said: “We’re facing censorship and standing our ground. We don’t want a precedent to be set whereby political lobbying groups can dictate who performs here.”
The review application was submitted on grounds linked to public safety and crime prevention, despite their clean 12-year track record.
, who caused outrage at , added: “We are proud to take part in a festival with morals and ethics that places art – and the freedom to express that – at its forefront.”
Touchdown for Tay
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are counting down the days until their wedding Credit: Getty
and are counting down the days until their wedding but rather than agonising over the table plan, they’ve been hitting the town.
The pair, who got engaged last year, have been spotted all over the world in the past week and are now back in New York.
Over the weekend, Taylor and NFL player Travis were spotted going out with pals in Brooklyn, after spending time in London.
Much has been said about their nuptials, which are rumoured to be taking place in New York.
Taylor is predictably keeping her cards close to her chest but, knowing her, she won’t be doing this wedding by halves.
Caught Live 2: Carly Pearce, Highways Festival
★★★★☆
Carly Pearce headlined the fourth annual Highways Festival at the Royal Albert Hall Credit: Centreline Films
THE Royal Albert Hall became the Royal Albert Y’all when US country star Carly Peacre headlined the fourth annual Highways Festival.
Bringing country ballads like What He Didn’t Do and bluegrass-inspired hits including Fault Line to the UK, she delivered her biggest songs and thrilled the crowd in the famous venue.
And Carly was in good company, with Clover Country, Tigirlily Gold and Corey Kent all warming up the crowd for her.
Highways Festival is a real treat for any country music fan when it comes to the capital each year, so don’t miss out when it rides back into London next spring.
MOLLIE QUIRKE
THE WEEK IN BIZNESS
TODAY: David Beckham and Mary Berry are among the big names expected at the VIP preview of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, before it opens to the public from Tuesday to Saturday.
WEDNESDAY: Kylie Minogue will spill the beans on her life and career as she launches her three-part, self-titled docu- series on Netflix following its world premiere in London.
THURSDAY: Rosalia will be honoured at prestigious music awards The Ivors in central London, where Lily Allen, Wolf Alice, Coldplay and Lola Young are among this year’s nominees.
FRIDAY: Festival season kicks off in style with Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland, while Madness, Aitch and Snow Patrol top the bill at the In It Together festival in Margam, south Wales.


