His arrival on stage is marked by a video with rabbits that starts quite innocently, but quickly turns into various members of the animal kingdom, as the wedding bells ring in beautiful bells. When screens admit to the festival cameras, Styles is at the top of a stunning white scene that looks appropriate for the television-specific, moody expression of a ’60s icon on his face, a black down coat covering a colorful catsuit sequins. His shy look does not last long as he starts on his latest single “As it was”, passing by the stage as happily as the bright synthetic melody that crosses the song. What follows is an 80-minute spectacular festival that satisfies the casual fan waiting for bangers and the hardcore stan looking forward to some deeper cuts – and a hidden preview of new material. The tracks on the first album “Carolina” and “Woman” match the mood of the night, although they reduce the momentum a bit. “She” leaves time to indulge in rock fantasies, guitarist Mitch Rowland is in the spotlight for a solo noodles, while the usually sensitive “Cherry” grows slightly stronger. Even the success of One Direction “What Makes You Beautiful” has a slight renewal – infectious hook intact, but rearranged to hit louder and sharper than before. Harry Styles plays the new song “Boyfriends” on Coachella 🥲 pic.twitter.com/4thNGSMvT3 – Rhian Daly (@rhian__) April 16, 2022 Apart from “As it was”, two new songs are coming out on the air tonight. First, there is the popular “Boyfriends”, which Styles introduces by stating: “This is for friends everywhere – fuck you”. It is a rare moment of immobility from the star during the set, as he gently delivers a song about a troubled relationship where “it is difficult to understand what he is thinking”. He later debuted “Late Night Talking”, a funk groove from the 1970s that longs to make a partner “happy again” who confirms that “Harry’s House”‘s third album will have at least two gold books. Good if I ever heard one – another new Harry Potter piece tonight, “Late Night Talking” 🕺 pic.twitter.com/gFEfazn4Qj – Rhian Daly (@rhian__) April 16, 2022 To truly become a rock god, however, Styles needs an army of famous friends to help him surprise his fans and his ability to deliver unforgettable stage jokes between songs. Fortunately, tonight shows that he has both. Takes out Shania Twain to perform “Man! “I Feel Like A Woman” and “You’re Still The One” for an unpredictable but wonderfully fun break from his own material. While his guest is on stage, he explains what he has been taught over the years, including how to sing and “that men are rubbish.” Towards the end of the set, he announces a 12 minute dance part that the crowd mistakenly assumes until the last 12 minutes of the set. “It did not end so quickly,” he explains. “I can be fast in many things, but this is not one of them.” By the time we reach the finale of the set – an amazing version of “Sign Of The Times” with fireworks – Styles’s job is done. He is a grooved and heroic guitarist in every inch of the scene, he turned pop hymns into rock jaggers and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand for every second of his dazzling performance. As he releases the final notes of the song, it is clear that he is no longer aiming for the rock star’s lane, but is firmly charting his own path through it. Harry Styles played: ‘As It was” Adore You”Golden”Carolina”Woman”Boyfriends”Cherry”Lights Up”She”Canyon Moon ” Wander around people with kindness’ ‘What makes you beautiful’ ‘Man ! I feel like a woman ” You’re Still The One ” Late Night Talking ” Watermelon Sugar ” Kiwi ” Sign Of The Times ” Return to NME all weekend for more reviews, news, interviews, photos and more from Coachella 2022.
