More than 80,000 fans are set to descend on a sleepy village this weekend as Harry Styles prepares to rock Slane Castle.
The Watermelon Sugar hitmaker brings his Love On Tour show to the Co Meath venue today. The singer has four opening acts, which includes Inhaler, Wet Leg, Mitch Rowland and Annie Mac, the first of whom will take the stage at approximately 2.30pm.
Former One Direction star Harry Styles, 29, is expected to make his entrance at around 8.30pm. With organisers predicting the audience will be “90% female”, fans are being urged to dress for the weather and leave the stilettos at home.
The overall forecast for Meath suggests rain is likely later in the evening. However, it appears Slane will remain largely unaffected by sudden downpours.
Read more: Harry Styles: Promising weather forecast ahead of Slane Castle gig
Conditions will remain warm and dry in the area ahead of the gig. Met Eireann predicts daytime temperatures will peak at around 19C but this will dip after the sun goes down.
However, concert goers can expect dull conditions from afternoon onwards as cloud envelops the venue. There is a small chance of rain when gates open for the gig open at around 2pm. But be warned – umbrellas are not allowed at the venue.
Music at Slane Castle returns for the first time since before the pandemic and some 80,000 fans are expected to the area. Up to 30,000 revellers will arrive by public transport and most bus operators are already sold out.
Event controller, Eamonn Fox, warned the importance of decent footwear. He said: “The ground is in perfect condition but still it’s not a stiletto ground. It’s not a high-heel ground.
“You also need to dress for the weather. It’s not as warm as it is in the west of Ireland at the moment, but this is nice concert weather so you need to dress for the weather.
“Bring your clothes for the weather, but also bring your clothes for the evening because it gets colder.” Mr Fox, also said preparation for gig-goers is key to an enjoyable evening.
He added: “Charge your phone, and if you have charger packs, bring them with you. Download your tickets before you get here.” Garda Superintendent Martina Noone also urged concert-goers to wear comfortable shoes.
She added: “The walk is approximately half an hour to 45 minutes from the car parks or the parks depending on what road you’re coming into the village.”
Organisers are warning fans to give themselves at least three hours to get to the event. A spokesperson for Dublin Bus confirmed it will not be operating any services for the concert at Slane this weekend.
But Mr Fox said he wasn’t concerned about rowdiness from fans and underage drinking – saying Harry Styles fans are a promoter’s perfect audience .
He added: “We know his fans and they are lovely, compliant and sober. His audience turns up. They are dedicated.
“All they want to do is come and see him. From our point of view, in running an event, I like a Harry Styles audience
“They do what they are told. They don’t drink. They are just coming for the music.”
He added the bars that were open in the Aviva Stadium last June did little business and, similarly, at his recent concert in Manchester.
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