Harry Styles World Tour Only Hits Seven Cities: How Tours Are Changing

The New Reality of Concert Tours: Harry Styles Sets a Trend

Harry Styles has been making waves in the music industry, but his upcoming “Together, Together” tour is setting a new standard. The tour will only cover seven cities across six countries, marking a significant shift from his previous world tours.

A Costly Decision for Artists and Fans Alike

According to Nick Reilly, content editor at Rolling Stone, this trend of fewer city tours is driven by cost. “Touring and the cost of production has gone up exponentially in the last few years,” he states. This increase means that artists like Harry Styles are opting for fewer but more profitable cities.

For fans, the decision can mean higher costs. Cheryl Diamond from Northern Ireland notes, “The travel and the hotel are going to cost way more than what the tickets were.” This is a reality many fans face, as they must cover not only ticket prices but also accommodation and transportation expenses.

Gig Tourism: The New Normal?

The rise in artists performing longer residencies in fewer cities has led to an increase in “gig tourism,” where fans plan their trips around concerts. Summer-Rose Starenczak, a fan from Norfolk, explains, “It hasn’t stopped me from buying tickets.” She’s prepared to stay overnight just to catch a show, and even plans on booking theatre tickets for other nights in London.

Emma Bownes, senior vice president of programming at AEG International, confirms the trend. “Fans are prepared to travel into another city or country for a gig,” she says. This change means that artists like Harry Styles can secure better support acts and larger venues, leading to more profitable tours.

Harry Styles’ Residency: A Test Case

Styles is setting the stage with his residency at Wembley Stadium, which will see him perform 67 dates. This number is expected to surpass Coldplay’s and Taylor Swift’s records for performances at Wembley in a single year. The long run at Wembley will not only ensure better support acts but also higher ticket sales.

MacKenzie Dunaway Gardner from Texas notes the high costs involved. “Getting tickets to the Wembley shows was a ‘100% no-brainer’ for her,” she says, acknowledging that it will cost thousands of dollars in flights and accommodation. However, she adds, “It’s very expensive, and I’m very privileged.” Many fans face similar financial challenges but still choose to support their favorite artists.

Conclusion

The Harry Styles tour is just the latest chapter in a broader trend within the music industry. As costs rise, artists are finding that fewer city tours can be more profitable. For fans like Summer-Rose and MacKenzie, this means planning trips around concerts, making the experience both an event and a vacation.

You might think this is new, but it’s been brewing for years.

The industry is adapting to changes, and Harry Styles is leading the way. Whether you’re in support or not, one thing is clear: the music business is evolving, and so are our concert experiences.