Harry Styles is set to perform in Madrid as part of his Love On Tour world tour. Styles will be playing two nights at the Wizink Center in Madrid on May 12th and 13th, 2023. As one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, Styles’ concerts are hugely anticipated events that fans rush to get tickets for.
A big part of the concert experience is often the opening acts. Fans are eager to find out which artists Harry Styles has chosen to open for him in Madrid. The opening acts help set the tone for the show and get the crowd excited for the main event. So who will be opening the show for Harry in Madrid?
Who Are Harry Styles’ Opening Acts for His 2023 Tour?
For his Love On Tour shows in 2023, Harry Styles has chosen two main opening acts. Joining him for all of the European leg of the tour are Wet Leg and Inhaler. This includes the Madrid shows.
Wet Leg
Wet Leg are an English indie rock band formed in 2019 on the Isle of Wight. Their songs combine catchy guitar riffs with witty lyrics and viral music videos. The duo of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers released their self-titled debut studio album in 2022 to critical acclaim.
Tracks like “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream” helped propel Wet Leg into the limelight. They’ve been nominated for the Mercury Prize and the Brit Awards. Wet Leg will bring their signature indie cool vibe to open Harry’s shows.
Inhaler
Inhaler is a Irish rock band whose members include Eli Hewson, the son of U2 lead singer Bono. After forming in Dublin in 2017, Inhaler have grown a strong fanbase with their driving rock sound. They’ve opened for bands like Blossoms and Noel Gallagher.
Inhaler’s debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This was released in 2021, reaching #1 in Ireland. Fresh off their Coachella performance, Inhaler will get the crowd hyped up for Harry Styles’ set.
Do Support Acts Play at Every Show?
Typically the main support acts will perform at every show on a tour. However, Harry Styles may choose to add additional local opening acts in some cities. There is always a chance of last minute lineup changes or substitutions as well.
For example, when Styles performed in South America earlier on his tour, he had different regional artists open a few of the shows. Fans should keep an eye out on Harry’s social media channels for any announcements about additional openers.
But as of now, Wet Leg and Inhaler are confirmed to be joining Harry Styles for both nights in Madrid on May 12th and 13th. Barring any unforeseen changes, fans can expect to see these two bands get the crowd excited for Harry!
What Are Some of Harry Styles’ Previous Openers?
While this is Harry Styles’ first proper solo world tour, he has assembled an amazing roster of opening acts. Looking back at who has opened for Styles gives an idea of his taste and what kind of artists he wants to showcase.
Love On Tour 2022 North America
During the North American leg of Love On Tour last year, Harry had a variety of support acts joining him. This included:
- Mitski – an indie rock singer-songwriter
- Madison Cunningham – a folk and country-influenced musician
- Jessie Ware – an English R&B/pop singer
- Blood Orange – the avant-pop project of Dev Hynes
Harry Styles Live On Tour 2017
Back in 2017 when he first embarked on his own headlining tour, the opening acts for Harry Styles’ shows included:
- Muna – a synth-pop trio
- The Preatures – an Australian indie rock band
- Leon Bridges – a soul and R&B singer
- Mitch Rowland – a singer-songwriter
Harry Styles clearly has an eclectic taste in music and likes supporting emerging, talented artists by having them open his shows.
How Are the Opening Acts Selected?
Choosing the opening acts for a massive world tour can be a tough and strategic process. There are a few key factors that Harry Styles likely considers when selecting who will open his shows:
- Music style – Harry seems to look for acts that match or complement his glam rock, 80s-influenced sound.
- Up-and-coming artists – He enjoys highlights rising talents that are less known.
- Fanbase overlap – Acts with a similar fanbase as Harry can help sell more tickets.
- Location – Local artists can be chosen in some markets.
- Budget – Bigger artists command higher appearance fees.
- Availability – The timing has to work with the potential opener’s schedule.
In addition to the artist, Harry’s management team likely plays a big role in vetting and contracting the openers after getting his input. There are many factors to balance when selecting supporting acts for a stadium tour.
Do Opening Acts Meet Harry Styles?
One of the major perks of being selected as an opening act for Harry Styles is getting to meet and spend time with the superstar singer. Most openers will get the chance to meet Harry before or after the shows.
Harry also often brings the openers on stage during his set for a quick hello to the audience. He likes to show his appreciation for the artists who are helping make the concert experience great for his fans.
There are usually opportunities for the openers to interact with Harry and get photos backstage. Being able to build a connection with an artist as renowned as Harry Styles can give the openers’ careers a huge boost.
Conclusion
Seeing Harry Styles live in concert is always an unforgettable experience for fans. Part of that experience is discovering and enjoying the opening acts that Harry hand picks to join him on tour. For the Madrid shows, Wet Leg and Inhaler are set to get the crowds hyped up for Harry.
Harry Styles clearly puts a lot of thought into which artists he wants to showcase. His focus is on finding acts that match his vibes and that are on the rise. Fans can discover their next favorite artist by arriving early to catch the opening sets.
Beyond getting to perform in front of huge crowds, the openers will also get the priceless opportunity to meet and be championed by one of the biggest artists in the world. Harry Styles’ co-sign can lead to great exposure and career boosts for the talented supporting musicians.
The magic of a Harry Styles concert starts with the opening acts. So be sure to check out Wet Leg and Inhaler when seeing Harry in Madrid next May!