Watch: Harry Styles Performs First-Ever Solo Show, Covers “Ultralight Beam”

Music Video Harry Styles
Watch: Harry Styles Performs First-Ever Solo Show, Covers “Ultralight Beam”

Harry Styles treated his fans to a secret show at The Garage in London on Saturday, performing songs from his debut self-titled record just a day after its release. The set list also included a couple of One Direction songs and a slowed-down, sultry cover of Kanye’s “Ultralight Beam” from his album The Life of Pablo. The secret show comes after his first solo tour sold out within minutes the week prior. Still, fans were less than happy about the confusing ticket sale process that required a Ticketmaster code for the general sale in an attempt to thwart scalpers.

It appears Styles has been forgiven. His album has been receiving nothing but high marks from fans, praising his newly tapped adult sound. However, critics have had a tough time unpacking his debut single “Sign of the Times,” a Bowie-esque ballad that is a little bit in-your-face.

Styles began his public descent into solo stardom when he performed as the musical guest on SNL—a stage One Direction frequented—with an electric guitar in tow, carving out an image for himself not entirely unlike his image in the boy band. The difference between the two acts is Styles’ songwriting, which is now uninhibited and a bit strange. “Kiwi” is a standout on the record; it features a chant-like chorus, à la The Ramones, in which Styles yells repeatedly, “I’m having your baby, it’s none of your business.”

While he’s known for his eccentricity, Styles also has a reputation for his charitable nature. All proceeds from the secret London show went to the Little Princess Trust, the same organization Styles donated his signature locks to when he cut his hair for his role in the new Christopher Nolan film Dunkirk.

Watch him perform “Ultralight Beam” above, and check out his tour dates below.

Harry Styles Tour Dates:

September
19 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Masonic
20 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Greek Theatre
25 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium
26 – Chicago, Ill. @ The Chicago Theatre
28 – New York, N.Y. @ Radio City Music Hall
30 – Boston, Mass. @ Boch Center Wang Theatre

October
01 – Washington, D.C. @ Dar Constitutional Hall
04 – Toronto, Canada @ Massey Hall
05 – Upper Darby, Pa. @ Tower Theatre
08 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Coca-Cola Roxy
10 – Irving, Texas @ The Pavilion at Irving Music Factory
11 – Austin, Texas @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater
14 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Comerica Theatre
25 – Paris, France @ L’Olympia
27 – Köln, Germany @ Palladium
29 – London, U.K. @ Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
30 – London, U.K. @ Eventim Apollo Hammersmith

November
01 – Manchester, U.K. @ 02 Apollo Manchester
02 – Glasgow, U.K. @ SEC Armadillo
05 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Fryshuset
07 – Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrom
08 – Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands @ Afas Live
10 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz
23 – Singapore, Singapore @ The Star Theatre
26 – Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre
30 – Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Theatre

December
02 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena
07 – Tokyo, Japan @ Ex Theater
08 – Tokyo, Japan @ Ex Theater

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