The Harry hype is real. For its first day back in three years, Coachella has been absolutely buzzing with glee at the prospect of the former One Direction star making his debut as headliner of the California festival. About to release his third album, Harry’s House, a not-so subtle reference to the Joni Mitchell song “Harry’s House/Centerpiece”, the pop singer relies on sonic references that are as calculated as his outfits. He’s as much a muse to Gucci and British designer Molly Goddard as he is a musical magpie, with influences spanning David Bowie to Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. His shape-shifting chart fodder is made with wide-open stages and mammoth audiences in mind.
Tonight, the crowd is the biggest it’s been all day, and Styles is resplendent in a giant fluffy coat resembling a plucked ostrich. Halfway through his opening song, the brand new “As It Was”, the coat comes off. Styles is now a human mirror ball in a sleeveless, sequined jumpsuit – which just about covers his nipples, but leaves his bristly man-cleavage and heavily tattooed arms on full display – and a pair of Cuban heels. It’s all very, very Freddie Mercury.
