by Carina Saward
credit: Samuel Brady/The Guardian
Harry Styles enhances his resume further with the recent announcement that he is investing in a new live music arena based in the singer-songwriter’s hometown of Manchester, located on the Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad Campus.
Planning for “Co-op Live” was approved in September and Oak View Group who are leading the construction of the venue aim for it’s opening in 2023. Oak View Group was founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff — Jeffrey Azoff of Full Stop Management represents Styles.
Throughout it’s construction, it’s estimated that 3,500 jobs will be generated and a further 1,000 jobs once the project is complete. The news comes after outcry from the lack of funding and government support within the music industry — despite statistics that the UK live music industry supports over 200,000 jobs.
credit: Press.
However, since the peak of the global pandemic, music and entertainment venues have been forced to close their doors — with events currently not taking place — although theatres have been allowed to reopen providing they maintain social distancing measures. Throughout the pandemic, musicians have signed open letters to the government, requesting financial support for everyone involved within the industry, inclusive of those behind the scenes — venue operations, promotion, booking agency, management, production and many others who are facing the possibility of unemployment. Co-op Live will be among the largest indoor venues in the UK and it’s confirmed that Styles will be actively involved in the project’s development, working alongside Oak View Group. In addition to this project, Styles is currently filming psychological thriller, ‘Don’t Worry, Darling.’ Directed by Olivia Wilde, the film is set in the 1950’s and centres around housewife Alice and husband Jack. Whilst Styles is yet to confirm his role, Wilde posted a photo of the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer and co-star Florence Pugh in September, captioned, “Jack & Alice #DontWorryDarling.” Styles also released the music video for ‘Golden’ at the end of October. The song is the opening track on his second album, ‘Fine Line’ and the visuals radiate summer energy throughout, with Styles traversing through Italy — the Amalfi Coast. The video is directed by Ben and Gabe Turner and is filmed with scenes of Harry running, driving and swimming.
Fans were also sent into a frenzy this week when it was discovered that fan fiction really can come true! It was revealed that Styles had experienced car trouble and visited a home nearby — where he was invited in for a cup of tea while he waited for roadside assistance. Unfortunately, the fan — Theadora — wasn’t in and so their paths didn’t cross. However, always the gentleman, Styles left a note to tell Theadora he was “devastated” that they missed each other, fed her pet fish, and signed her copy of ‘Fine Line.’ Note to self: Keep your bedroom clean and tidy just in case Harry Styles’s car breaks down outside my house. Understanding of the fact that his fanbase look up to him, the musician used his platform to acknowledge America’s current politics, retweeting Joe Biden. The candidate for the US president stated, “You deserve a president who will get up every single day and work to make your life better. If you elect me, that’s exactly what I’ll do.” Styles adapted his famous motto of, “Treat people with kindness” (which he also released as the penultimate song on his sophomore album) and told fans, “If I could vote in America, I’d vote with kindness.” Is there anything this man can’t do?
credit: Kevin Mazur/AMA2014/WireImage
With five successful albums from his boyband days in One Direction to securing two solo albums under his belt — self-titled ‘Harry Styles’ and ‘Fine Line’ — the singer-songwriter sold out ‘Love on Tour’ — but due to the Covid outbreak, the live shows have been postponed until next year.
He’s also showcased his invaluable talent in television having hosted The Late Late Show and performed Carpool Karaoke, hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live, and even being an executive producer on the comedy, ‘Happy Together.’ In addition, his movie success is on the rise with his debut film, ‘Dunkirk’ directed by Christopher Nolan and Olivia Wilde’s, ’Don’t Worry, Darling.’ (He doesn’t do things by halves)!
Tristan Fewings/Getty Images; KGC-49-182/STAR MAX/IPx/Associated Press
Other achievements have included: Gucci model, Met Gala co-host in 2019, and providing his soft northern accent for a bedtime story on the CALM app to ensure a good night sleep for listeners. Apparently, it seems that there is no end to Styles’ talents as he continuously enhances his curriculum vitae — which is now proving to be longer than his 2015 hair!
Written by Carina Saward
Twitter: @blossomsstyles
Instagram: @carinaxo___
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