Harry Styles has officially kicked off his record-breaking Wembley Stadium residency, taking to the stage on Friday night for the first of 12 shows at the iconic London venue. The Wembley run is set to make history, with Styles on track to break the record for the most performances by any artist at Wembley Stadium in a single year, as well as the most Wembley shows ever played by a solo artist on one tour.
Opening the show in a black-and-white pin-striped suit, Styles launched into “Are You Listening Yet?” from his latest album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally before treating fans to favourites including “Golden”, “Adore You”, “Watermelon Sugar”, “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” and “As It Was”.
The night also featured an emotional reflection on the journey that brought him back to Wembley. Speaking to the crowd, Styles said “16 years ago my sister brought me to London for the very first time for my X Factor audition. Driving here today, and any time I come through Wembley, it means so much to me. It was right in that building next door where I was put into a band, we were called One Direction.” He later added:
“It means a lot for me to be in here tonight. Thank you so much for allowing me to do these shows. It means so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The moment clearly resonated with fans, particularly given Wembley’s significance in Styles’ career. What began with a trip to London for an X Factor audition ultimately led to One Direction, one of the biggest bands in the world, before launching his hugely successful solo career. In another nod to that chapter of his life, Styles included an instrumental interlude featuring One Direction favourites “Night Changes” and “History”, alongside “Falling”, prompting an emotional reaction from fans inside the stadium.
The Together, Together Tour arrives three years after Styles’ acclaimed Love On Tour Wembley run in 2023, which saw more than 360,000 fans attend four sold-out stadium shows.
There was another moment that quickly became one of the night’s biggest talking points. Styles performed “Little Freak” as the surprise song for opening night, prompting an immediate reaction from fans inside Wembley and across social media. The fan-favourite track has become one of the most beloved songs in his catalogue, and seeing it appear on night one felt like a special treat for longtime Harry fans. Judging by the online reaction afterwards, plenty of people were wishing they had been in the stadium to witness it.
For CultureCues, this felt like one of those full-circle moments that remind you why so many people connect with Harry Styles in the first place. The quote about arriving in London for his X Factor audition, knowing everything that happened afterwards, is enough to make even longtime fans a little emotional. As huge Harry fans ourselves, we’ll be at one of the upcoming Wembley dates and cannot wait to experience the show in person. Expect full coverage, photos and a feature from CultureCues very soon.
And yes, hearing Harry mention One Direction at Wembley definitely had us in our feelings.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.