Live Report: Harry Styles delivers a magical performance at the Aviva Stadium

There are few artists that are surrounded by as much mysticism as Harry Styles — the One Direction star turned solo pop icon who has defined a generation of music. For his fans, the chance to catch Styles on Love on Tour is far more than just a concert: it is, all at once, the realisation of two years of delayed shows, the gathering of a community and, for some, the culmination of over 10 years of support. Which is why, arriving at the Aviva Stadium felt almost more akin to a championship game than a pop concert — hordes of fans wearing their brightest, boldest outfits in a show of solidarity, as Styles takes his victory lap around the world.

From the moment I stepped onto the DART heading towards the Aviva, it was clear that Harry Styles-fever had taken over Dublin. The train carriage was packed, full of feather boas, cowboy hats and pants in pale pastel colours. There was a palpable air of excitement hovering around the stadium, the air crackling with electric anticipation. The neat rows of brick houses that encircled the Aviva were now islands in a sea of people, as thousands of fans began to file into the massive stadium, the green seats turning various hues of pink and orange as people began to settle into their spots.

Arlo Parks opened, delivering her unique blend of pop to a screaming crowd — bouquets of massive sunflowers dotting the stage as she smiled and sang, her vocals lifting to the highest reaches of the stands.  Playing hits off of her latest album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, in the likes of 'Too Good', 'Green Eyes', and 'Hope', she perfectly primed the audience for what was to come.

In the space between sets, classic hits played from the speakers — the crowd singing along to everything from One Direction's 'Best Song Ever' to 'Sex on Fire,' the ocean of people rippling as they shifted their feet, and their positions, in anticipation. Everyone wanted the best view possible.

Then, the audience erupted in cheers, the noise so deafening it sounded almost like a plane taking off, crescendoing as the band made their way onstage. Then, the opening notes of 'Music For a Sushi Restaurant' echoed throughout the arena, and Harry Styles appeared, greeted by the sounds of thousands upon thousands of adoring fans welcoming him.

Wearing a green and white striped jumpsuit, garnished with a huge sailor's collar, Styles grinned as he began his set — showing off his signature dance moves as he made his way across the huge stage.

With three albums behind him, the singer had a lot of material as well as ground! – to cover. When Harry Styles Love on Tour, or HSLOT, was announced in 2019, nobody expected it to stretch into 2022 — now running in support of both 2019's Fine Line and this year's Harry's House. So, weaving between his three LP's, Styles balanced the old and the new with ease — dipping into Fine Line standout 'Golden' as his second track.

"Hello Dublin," the singer said in his signature English drawl, observing that "there are a lot of people," as he looked out over the packed stadium. "Listen," he continued, "your job tonight is to have as much fun as you can. Everybody can be whoever they need to be in this room tonight."

Continuing with Harry's House  hits 'Daylight', 'Cinema' and 'Keep Driving', Styles raced around the rectangular stage, twisting, smiling and dancing along to the music, as colourful images took over the massive screens. The audience sang along to every word — those in the packed section close to the stage dancing demonstratively and reaching out to the star, while those farther away spun in circles, held hands and lay on the ground to look up at the clouds. For some, just hearing the music live seemed to be enough, as they looked more at their friends than at Styles himself, dancing with abandon as they let the upbeat notes wash over them.

"This song means a lot to me," the singer prefaced, standing on the section of the stage closest to the audience. "Know, you don't ever, ever have to feel guilty about looking after yourself." He then launched into 'Matilda', a soft, acoustic track that encourages self love above all else. It's a song that stood out on Harry's House, its warm melody resonating with a generation of people who have begun to strike out into an increasingly unfamiliar world. Look out for yourself, the song states, surround yourself with whatever family you choose.

Whether it was leading a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' for a fan, stopping his set to look after somebody in the audience, or reading the waving signs, Styles interacted with the crowd throughout the set — knowing that many of them came to see him, as much as they came to hear the music.

Then, the time came for the original fans, as Harry fused the ending of 'Canyon Moon' with One Direction's breakout hit 'What Makes You Beautiful'. Instantly, we were transported back to the hazy days of 2011, when 1D were just beginning to take the world into their hands. It was surreal, almost, the harsh filter of modernity being lifted away for just a few minutes as I was transported back in time — singing one of the songs that had a hand in shaping the person I would eventually become. For those in the audience who had been with One Direction since their inception, it was a full circle moment, as adulthood clashed with the formative years of early teenage-hood, almost as if Harry took their hands and said, "it's okay. I've been here all along."

The singer finished the main portion of his set with 'Late Night Talking' and 'Love of My Life,' thanking the band, the crew and his childhood best friend in the audience. He then disappeared off stage, returning amidst chants of his name for a three-song encore.

He began with the soaring anthem 'Sign of the Times', from 2017's self titled album. The song, which as the years go by feels increasingly applicable, was echoed back by thousands of voices, all shouting out the repeating refrain "Stop your crying baby, it's a sign of the times," into the empty air. Harry sang with his entire chest, feeling the lyrics wash over him before they crashed, wave-like across the stadium.

That was followed by 'Watermelon Sugar', the upbeat summer tune getting everybody on their feet. Then came the first single from Harry's House , 'As It Was', the audience screaming along to the bridge (particularly the lyric "leave America", which was sung deafeningly loudly). Finally, Harry finished off the marathon set with 'Kiwi', the rock-forward track off his solo debut. As he danced along to the raw-edged guitars and poured his soul into the electric chorus, the crowd sang along at an extraordinary volume, giving all the love Harry put out back to him, with cheering which seemed like it'd never end bringing the concert to a powerful conclusion.

Harry Styles gave the audience everything they expected and more. This, his first show in Dublin in four years, was a resounding, resonating success.