By Caroline Dehn
The energy was infectious at the Capitol One Arena on Saturday as thousands of DMV natives and visitors flooded towards their seats. Harry Styles was set to take the stage along with his perfectly coordinated band and the opening performer, Jenny Lewis. For many, like myself, this was the first concert we attended during the pandemic. To enter the venue, concert-goers were required to show proof of vaccination or have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to attending the event.
Everyone came dressed to the nines in colorful ensembles, pastels, neons and glitter. Some even came dressed in hotdog costumes, cowboy hats and boots, and as a full sunflower. Being in the arena, the excitement was contagious. Sitting in my seat way up from the stage, I still felt connected to the performers and the other audience members around me; there was an unexplainable unity.
To begin, the opening act, Jenny Lewis, played some of her original songs. Though I did not personally know of Lewis prior to this event, I thoroughly enjoyed her performance. Her music combined rock, country, and pop all in one, a perfect complement to Harry Styles’s style. Lewis took the stage with enthusiasm and really captivated the audience. You could see the appreciation for music that she has, and it truly showed in her setlist.
Following the opening act was the main event, Harry Styles. Many of us in the crowd have been invested in Harry’s career since his early One Direction days and it was amazing to see his growth as a person and performer. He strutted onto the stage in a silk lavender button-down and matching lavender trousers with the largest smile on his face. His gratitude and love for both the music and his fans lifted everyone’s spirits.
The Setlist:
- Golden
- Carolina
- Adore You
- Only Angel
- She
- Falling
- Sunflower. Vol 6
- Woman
- Cherry
- Lights Up
- Canyon Moon
- Treat People with Kindness
- What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction)
- Fine Line
Encore:
- Sign of the TImes
- Watermelon Sugar
- Kiwi
Overall the setlist was perfectly curated so that each song brought a new energy and emotion to the crowd. It was interesting to hear each song performed live, as some of my favorites to listen to at home were not necessarily my favorite onstage performances.
In no particular order, (since I can’t pick just one), my top favorites of the night were: Fine Line, Lights Up, Woman, and Kiwi. Fine Line came as a surprise; though I like to listen to that song through my headphones, it truly came alive when I was able to see Styles’ emotions pour out through the lyrics onstage. In addition, the song took a slightly more acoustic tone at the beginning that was both calming and alluring. Lights Up was a magical experience: the whole crowd turned on their phone flashlights and illuminated the entire arena, which was incredibly emotional for my first concert since February 2020. Woman was just so fun. Styles really brought out his dance moves and captured the crowd with his immaculate tone. Lastly, having Kiwi as the closer of the night was unreal. This song shows a different side of Styles, with elements of classic rock that take this song to the next level. The upbeat nature of this closer left the audience mesmerized and feeling completely amazed with the concert as a whole.
This event could not have been a better way to step back into the concert scene. From start to finish, I was full of emotion; from laughing to dancing to almost tears. Styles closed the concert with an important message: through this pandemic we have all experienced grief, sadness, and loss as a collective, and also as individuals. Make sure to always tell the people you love that you love them, and make sure to always Treat People with Kindness!
