Harry Styles
(Picture: Matt Crossick/Global/Shutterstock)Returning to Wembley for the first time since 2019, Capital FM’s Summertime Ball proved in robust health after its enforced pandemic sabbatical, drawing a rowdy crowd of 80,000 with its starry poptastic bill. But right from the start, there was no doubt who was the main attraction. “Harry Styles is in the building!” squealed one of the hosts early in this marathon eight-hour show, triggering mass hysteria that could probably be heard on the Moon.
The musical menu began with a brisk four-song set by Ed Sheeran, one of the few Summertime Ball artists who could fill Wembley on his own. Indeed, he performed so early because he had a second stadium to play later the same day, in Manchester. As ever, Sheeran was endearingly wholesome but entirely devoid of the charisma, originality or sexy mischief that characterises great pop music. His phenomenal chart success remains genuinely baffling. Perhaps some eccentric billionaire is buying up all his albums and using them for landfill?
