Harry Styles Calls Meltdown Festival Orchestral Set a Career Highlight

Harry Styles said he felt like he was “in the middle of” what he described as his “career highlight” while headlining the Meltdown festival with an orchestral performance alongside the Jules Buckley Orchestra.

The 32 year old pop star is currently finishing a 12 night residency as part of his Together, Together tour at London’s Wembley Stadium, but on Tuesday night (16.06.26) he shifted away from the high energy stadium format for a more stripped back orchestral set that saw him moving between guitar and piano.

Speaking to the audience at the charity concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre, Harry said: “Thank you so much for being here tonight.

“Feels both present and incredibly not present to be so aware that you’re in the middle of your career highlight for me."

Harry said of his tour: “For anyone who has been to the tour, it’s a little bit different in case you can’t tell.”

He later joked about there being "no nipples" on the tour, referencing how he has often performed topless in past shows.

The set opened with a softer reimagining of Boyfriends before moving through performances of Matilda, Two Ghosts and Fine Line.

The former One Direction member also highlighted songs from his latest album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, including Paint by Numbers, The Waiting Game, Carla’s Song and Coming Up Roses, all presented with new orchestral arrangements.

The closing moment of the night came with a powerful rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water, which earned an immediate standing ovation across the venue.

Harry admitted that leading an orchestral concert was “quite intimidating” given that he does not read music.

He said: “I’ve always been a lover of orchestral music, classical music, and it’s quite an intimidating field to step into as someone who doesn’t, cannot, read music.”

Composer Jules Buckley has been a major part of Harry’s Together, Together tour, handling string arrangements, and the Meltdown collaboration followed his earlier work with Harry on the track Coming Up Roses from Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Harry is set to continue his Wembley residency on Wednesday night (17.06.26).