Harry Styles performs at the 'Love on Tour' concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on March 14. (Photos courtesy of Smart Live)

After five years as a solo artist, Grammy winner Harry Styles sure knows how to keep his Filipino fans happy at his concerts.

Marking his third comeback in the Philippines, after his first concert in 2015 with his former band One Direction, 2018 as a solo artist, and the pandemic, Harry made sure that the "Love on Tour" Asian leg would be a memorable one. 

The Philippine Arena in Bulacan was full of lightsticks, and unique banners as the fans waited for him to perform his hit singles from his solo albums: "Harry's House," "Fine Line," and "Harry Styles." Aside from that, his fans also took time to wear colorful clothes and even bought a cowboy hat and feather scarf to commemorate the concert. 

As the lights went dim, Harry came out on the stage, opening the concert with his song "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" the crowd went wild when Harry started to dance. 

He then followed up the first song with "Golden" and "Adore You" from his second album.  Blowing a flying kiss and waving at the fans, Harry took some time to greet his fans. 

"Kamusta Philippines! Good evening, people of Manila, My name is Harry, and it's an absolute pleasure to be here, and thank you so much for bringing us back here, and thank you so so much for the warm welcome," said Harry, during the jampacked concert that was promoted by Live Nation Philippines.

The British singer invited his fans to dance and jump with him all night during the show.

"Our job tonight is to entertain you; we promise to do that. We're gonna have some fun, and we're gonna do it together. Are you ready? Are you sure? Let's go!" Harry said. 

The concert continued as Harry performed "Cinema," "Matilda," "Little Freak," and "Satellite." At one point in the show, he helped a fan named Michelle and Jeff to propose by making a duet of his song "Sign of Times." 

Harry went on with "Treat People with Kindness" and was followed by One Direction hit song, "What Makes You Beautiful". The crowd sang-along as Harry performed the tune he co-wrote with his former band.

Before doing the encore songs, he once again pumped the audience by performing "Watermelon Sugar," followed by a slow rendition of "Love of My Life" and "Sign of The Times". 

As the concert came to an end, fans gave the loudest cheer and never-ending energy when they heard the intro to the No. 1 song "As It Was". 

Harry capped off the concert with "Kiwi" before exiting the stage. He did one of his traditions called the whale, in which he blew water into the air, meaning he was baptizing the Philippines as a member of Harry's House. 

- Full house -

Harry's “Love on Tour” concert at the Philippine Arena on March 14, was the closest one could get to "Harry’s House," his multi-platinum third solo project which bagged this year’s Grammy album of the year. Powered by SMART Communications, it was an invite no one refused. Every fan came and it was a full house. 

When Harry came out to sing “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” the British pop sensation owned the stage. It had the crowd of nearly 50,000 fans grooving to its cheerful lyrics. We were, however, surprised, that Harry wore a ‘safe’ sequined shirt, paired with tapered coral blue plants compared to the outlandish outfits he typically wears in shows. 

That of course is a trivial matter to argue about. Harry, a former member of boyband One Direction, is a master showman. Dishing out hits after hits, the concert allowed us to take a peek out of a music wunderkind in his most personal. He sang, danced, pranced, and jumped around the stage and took his audience along with him for some good fun. Why, he even joked around and composed an impromptu number about fans dressed in banana costumes. (There were six of them!). 

Harry’s concerts have never been without a side show. At Wembley Stadium last year, he helped a fan come out, albeit joyfully, to his parents. Earlier this year, the British pop sensation indulged in the Aussie tradition of ‘shoey’ and drank beer out of his shoes. In Lisbon, he stopped his concert to help a man propose to his girlfriend. The same thing happened that night when Harry gave in to a female fan’s request to sing along with his boyfriend so that he would propose to her. The crowd went wild!

Fans, however, would never get over Harry singing to “What Makes You Beautiful,” one of 1D’s global hits. And that’s just the cherry on top. Singing to the toe-tapping “Treat People With Kindness” Harry ran around waving the rainbow flag on stage. 

Harry’s songwriting skills have never been more evident with the ballads “Little Freak” and “Matilda”. On the latter, Harry sings: “You can let it go. You can throw a party full of everyone you know. And not invite your family, 'cause they never showed you love. ‘Don't have to be sorry for leaving and growing up”. Here Harry sounded like a friend whom we invited to listen to our woes and assured us we can always build a home in our hearts. 

And that’s what makes him beautiful!

Smart brand ambassadors Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan were among those spotted posing for photos at the #SmartLive booth. Also in attendance were Darren Espanto, AC Bonifacio and Jayda Avanzado.

“We are very proud to bring these unforgettable experiences to our subscribers and empower them with even more exclusive perks and privileges. Watch out for more exclusive happenings from Smart Live,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Business Group. (With additional report by Andi Requintina)