Harry Styles made headlines in Spain in the middle of last week after confirming an extension to his "Together, Together" tour, which will once again stop in the country. Just days later, during one of his scheduled New York shows this past weekend, the singer paused mid-concert to share an emotional message with the crowd.
The extension announced last week includes two dates in the same city: the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid will host Styles on July 30 and 31.
During the New York show, just before performing "Carla's Song," a track he wrote for his fans, Styles delivered a speech that struck a more personal tone than usual. He said he wanted to show himself a little more vulnerable than usual, adding that he felt he wanted to be honest about who he is and where he is in his life right now. He said he did not want to reach the end of this tour, as had happened before, and simply say "see you next time."
Styles has been at the forefront of the music industry since his teenage years, when he rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. The group became one of the biggest pop acts of the 2010s before Styles launched a successful solo career.
A more honest reflection
Styles told the crowd he wanted to be more sincere about his journey. He said that since he started in music at 16, everything had taught him that the industry revolves around getting more, achieving more, playing more concerts and chasing ever bigger things.
He said that in recent years, different things had happened to him that shifted his perspective a little, and that he was learning to feel satisfied with what is enough. He added that he did not want these moments to lose what makes them special, because once they end, everyone quickly moves on to the next thing. He described the concerts as a source of joy and said they had been incredibly special to him, partly, he said, because he knows these things do not last forever.
Gratitude for fans' support
Styles thanked the audience for the support they had given him over the years and for allowing him to share the experience with them. He said he believed the concerts felt so special and different now because he has learned to value the present moment.
He said he wanted to be open and share that with the crowd because he believes that, together, they can live in the moment and recognise how wonderful it is to be there, in those spaces, at that time. He called it the privilege of his life and thanked the audience again.
Clarifying he was not being dramatic
Aware that his words could be read differently, Styles was quick to clarify before anyone could draw the wrong conclusions. He said he was not saying anything dramatic and was not trying to be dramatic, telling the crowd not to worry and that he just wanted to talk to them.
Before returning to the song, he explained further, saying he would normally talk about something like this with his friends. He said that simply reaching the end and saying "see you next time" did not feel like enough, and that he just wanted to be a little more open with the audience. He told the crowd he loved them very much, said he had written the song for them, and admitted he felt powerless.
What comes next for the tour
With that message left hanging in the New York night, attention now turns to whether Styles offers a similar moment when the "Together, Together" tour reaches Madrid for its double date at the Estadio Metropolitano on July 30 and 31.
