As a pretty penniless second year Uni student, recently introduced to the world of flat meals and power bills it may seem odd to hop on a midweek early bird flight from Christchurch to Melbourne. But there is something about Harry Styles. The man of the moment and the guy who coerced me into flying across the ditch to see him live.

I do not deny this may sound crazy to the average person, but with a nice dose of naivety and excitement, I nervously refreshed the Ticketmaster website last April to try and nab the sacred tickets. The ones, it seemed, most of the South Pacific were also after. 

Clearly, I am no exception to the mainstream appreciation of Mr Style’s  showman smile and crafty funk pop tunes that seamlessly get  the masses standing up for a boogie. And this past week in Melbourne and, again in Auckland, he has proven to me that the world's British crush does deserve the startling adoration he earns. 

When you buy a Harry Styles ticket you are assured an impressive party. Styles says it himself, “I am here to entertain you, if you need anything just let me know”. His confident ownership of the stage and infectious energy means the fans show up and can trust him to give them a very, very good time. 

From a fairly mediocre X Factor audition 12 years ago to a One Direction teen heart throb and recently winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, some would wonder how and why Harry has had such an extraordinary effect on audiences across the globe? So, when the sun rose on the Aussie coast, shining in through my  window seat, and with Fine Line playing in my ear buds and butterflies in my stomach, I couldn’t help but romanticise seeing Harry play live. 

Being in the ‘Cultural Capital of Australia’, it felt only  fitting to see a performer who encourages and accepts cultural liberation the way Harry Styles does. The anticipation of the concert was greatly  enhanced  across Melbourne with its already exciting food scene, lanes of packed restaurants offering infinite menu options, markets and detours on central tram lines taking me anywhere in less than 10 mins. 

You would think a city already overflowing with vibrancy from its cuisine, music, and art couldn’t get more colourful - but that’s until Mr. Styles comes to town.  Everywhere there were loose boa feathers floating, sparkly dresses, platform boots, watermelon earrings and glittery eyeliner, all making the streets of central Melbourne feel even more electric. The Southern Cross Station tram was packed with kids, tweens and twenty somethings in denim jumpsuits and parents in ‘Dads love Styles too’ tees.   

I am no anomaly when it comes  to the influence of Harry Styles. I, like the rest of the crowd, am attracted to his friendly, fun human nature. You just simply feel proud of him.  As if I were his close mate, watching him perform his music with such commitment and pure joy that it radiates through the crowd. 

As we sit in our seats, looking down at the multi-coloured mosh, the number of people there for one man feels overwhelming. And to think of this, multiplied across a seven leg, two year, 169 show length tour. He must be doing something right. 

Not only does Styles interact with fans by waving for ¾ of the show, but the many full length conversations he conducts with those lucky enough to actually chat with him, are captivating. Reporting each word back to the stadium all listening in, Styles skillfully picks and trusts the fans he decides to converse with and smoothly leads the conversation with a wit and charm that gets everyone giggling.

At Marvel Stadium, after a spiel about his distaste for shoeies, Styles picked Fauve, a girl holding up a very specific sign. Following some witty one-liners about her French name, Harry unbelievably then helped Fauve come out to her Dad standing beside her in the crowd. “Would you like us to go through our Love on Tour coming out process Fauve? He said.  “This is the first time I'm taking this down under, so prepare yourselves. Can I have some coming out music please?” 

As the band improvises a soft funk beat and sparkly timbre, Styles prances the stage, “Come on everybody, we’re coming out tonight!”.  Styles encourages and motivates his supportive audience, and we all feel nothing but joy for that fan’s special moment with the singer. Ensuring it really is Love on Tour. 

These interactions are just as entertaining as Style’s ability to perform his music. Each song flies by quicker than the last in the 90 minute show.  The entire stadium loses itself in the energy and delight being generated on stage.  Each band member plays with devotion and joy and Harry entertains with a cheeky grin and playful attitude that makes one of the world’s most famous men feel like a friend.

Harry knows how to make a crowd feel at home in Harry’s House, where anything could happen. Every guest excitedly commits to and embraces his hospitality and as host, Styles’ sweet appreciation is articulated through a multitude of genuine thank yous that are grounded in sincerity.

His one New Zealand show was even more of a stimulating spectacle. On every domestic flight heading to Auckland,  Harry was singing through the airplane speakers to prepare fans for what was to come.   Waiting in the lengthy line of patient fans you felt a collective sense of energetic anticipation.   Proudly watching New Zealand’s very own Ny Oh open for Harry was a communal highlight. Her beautiful, serenading vocals and familiar accent touched a soft spot only a fellow Kiwi could achieve. Even Harry sat side stage to watch his Kiwi guitarist.

Being a part of the mosh this second time round was a contrasting experience. Seeing Harry that close felt comforting as he was all the more  human. He had SO much fun with us, leading the Kiwi mantra– Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi, darting across the stage waving the Māori Tino Rangatiratanga flag, cheerfully chanting fruit salad ingredients and encouraging an eruption of dance moves to the fittingly named song  ‘Kiwi’. This is that thing about Harry. He willingly goes that one step further. A clever, imaginative, beautiful boy, blossoming from that 12 year-old audition, but, thankfully, never really changing.  

His original boyish charm and cheek remain the same and still shine through in bucketloads at every gig.  An artist who encourages kindness and fun and with a big enough heart to leave me with no regrets, but a lot of debt.

In the fraught world we live in, it’s refreshing, and necessary, to all soak in the music and the moments alongside fellow fanatics, dancing and singing with a shared reason to smile. That is when the special thing about Harry comes to fruition– and it was worth every cent.