VIDEO: 'Styles sensation hits Slane and an experience I'll never forget'
Hannah McNamara
My experience seeing Harry Styles play in Slane Castle was nothing less than extraordinary.
It was my first concert in the iconic landmark and I can safely say my expectations were exceeded. From the moment I arrived at the site I was impressed by the number of services provided; several food trucks, drink stands, merchandise stalls, water filling stations. There were security in every direction I looked which instantly reassured me. The stunning grounds and picturesque views was what made the show truly unforgettable.
The phenomenal, vibrant venue was filled with every colour you could imagine. Feathers decorated the ground from the thousands of boas fans had brought with them. The fabulous clothing proved to me that all 80,000 Styles fans had planned their outfits with such thought, taking every detail into account.
Even with Harry Styles being the headliner the thousands of concertgoers were not disappointed by the amazing support acts; Annie Mac, Mitch Rowland, Wet Leg, Inhaler. Each act with their own vibe and genre caught the attention of the audience through their engaging performances. The rain showers during the earlier part of the evening couldn’t dampen the spirits of the audience. The atmosphere was one to treasure for a long time.
When Harry’s introduction video hit the screens surrounding the stage, you could sense the anticipation in the crowd, there was almost a hush came over us all. The star we had came to see was just about to appear and you could feel the excitement building amongst the fans. Harry danced onto the stage wearing white trousers and a green sequined jacket. Many said that he was channelling the spirit of Freddie Mercury when he and Queen graced the Castle back in 1986.
The screams of fans was deafening and not one person stood still from the moment he stepped on stage until the gig had finished. He opened his set with ’Daydreaming’, a song part of his album ‘Harry’s House.’ As well as many other hits like ‘As It Was’ and ‘Golden’, Harry also paid tribute to his former band, One Direction by performing one of their iconic singles ‘What Makes You Beautiful.’ Each and every song he performed had the audience cheering, dancing and singing along deliriously from beginning to end. The concert was profoundly eye-catching that I hadn’t even noticed the sun setting.
Harry not only impressed the fans through his vocals and dance moves, but also through his Irish phrases such as "Cead Mile Failte" and “go n-éirí an bóthar leat” [may the road rise to meet you]. His love for his fans shone through when he stopped on occasion to check on one or two in 80,000 strong crowd who seemed to be in difficulty.
An amazing night was topped off by a magnificent fireworks display at the end. ‘Love On Tour’ was not only a concert but a memory I will never forget.