All-nighters, camp outs: Hard core Harry Styles fans wait hours at stadium
Harry Styles’s Gold Coast concert has sparked traffic chaos and pandemonium among fans, some turning out 24 hours before the star took the stage.
Entertainment
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Southbound motorists have faced a traffic nightmare during peak hour as Harry Styles fans took over Southeast Queensland roads on Tuesday afternoon.
Delays of up to 1.5 hours were experienced by motorists as traffic backed up on the Pacific Motorway southbound from Eight Mile Plains through to Nerang on the Gold Coast.
Those attempting to get onto the M3 heading south from Brisbane faced 50 minute delays from Coronation Drive at Toowong through to the Pacific Motorway/M1.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads warned southbound motorists heading to the Gold Coast to expect delays and allow extra travel time.
Thousands of fans queued for hours – some of who slept on the footpath overnight – with anticipation for the Gold Coast concert of British pop superstar Harry Styles Tuesday night.
The Love on Tour caravan makes its only Queensland stop at the Gold Coast’s Heritage Bank Stadium with a record 50,000 fans expected to attend.
Many of them were at the stadium by 9.30am, braving sweltering temperatures.
By 11am it was already 30C in the shade outside the Carrara venue on Nerang Broadbeach Rd.
Gates to the general public open at 5pm for the sold-out concert, but fans who bought VIP or early access tickets were allowed into the venue at 2.30pm.
The Red Frogs volunteers, best known for watching over annual Schoolies crowds, have dispatched a legion of volunteers to keep fans hydrated and with enough sugar levels to get through the day and night. Some were using umbrellas to protect them from the sun.
Gold Coast teenagers Mia McQuade and Olivia Williams arrived at the stadium at 9.30pm Monday – almost a full 24 hours before the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ hit maker takes the stage.
Mia’s mum joined the girls for a sleep-out to ensure they had the prime position of first in line for the standing room section, at the front of the giant catwalk erected at the front of the stage.
Olivia’s mum dropped by on Tuesday morning with a McDonald’s breakfast delivery.
Sleeping on the bitumen footpath on a pile of blankets and cushions, the girls, both 16, said it was no sacrifice when it came to getting the best spot at their idol’s concert.
“The adrenaline is keeping us going,” said Olivia.
“We’ve got Fanta and water.
“It’s not a sacrifice because we know it’s going to be worth it.”
Many others started arriving in the early hours of the morning, with one saying it had been “chill” and that everyone was excited for what’s to come.
Brisbane disability worker Monet Nutter produced an all-time display of dedication, arriving to line up for general admission access at 6am, straight after an all-night shift.
Armed with a mountain of energy drinks and NoDoze (caffeine) tablets, she said she would get through the day on the adrenaline of seeing the superstar in the flesh.
“In 2020 (Styles’ cancelled tour) I was going to be nine months pregnant and I still would have gone,” she said.
“Nothing is going to stop me this time.”
Feather boas and cowboy hats have been must-have fashion accessories at the stadium, while Evy Gover, 17, from the Sunshine Coast has paid tribute to the song Watermelon Sugar with a $25 watermelon costume.
Brisbane’s Maia Martin is one fan taking her love of Styles on tour – literally.
The 21-year-old, who has already seen his show in Melbourne, has tickets for the Gold Coast gig and is booked to watch the 29-year-old play 11 more times during the European leg of his tour later this year.
“I haven’t seen him since 2015 in the One Direction days, so the more the merrier,” she said.
“I’ve always liked the way he performs and the way he comes across as so humble.
“And it’s a real piece of nostalgia because Harry and One Direction were such a big part of my early teens.”
One of the youngest fans is Brisbane eight-year-old Hudson Down, who was excited to watch the concert with his mum, Sharlein.
Decked out in overalls featuring a number of Harry-inspired patches, he could barely contain his excitement when his mum asked if he wanted to go to the concert.
“He really wanted to go,” she said.
Savannah Reinke has a permanent reminder of her passion for the Grammy winner, in the form of a tattoo Styles has himself.
The Ipswich 22-year-old got the butterfly tatt about two years ago, along with the words ‘We’ll be all right’, lyrics from Styles’ song ‘Fine Line’.
“I just really like the message,” she said.
“Knowing that whatever comes, we will be fine.”
As the temperature climbed, fans queued up outside the stadium for prized spots in the general admission standing areas formed strategic alliances, saving each other’s spots while they went on servo runs for slushies and food supplies, or for when nature called.
One fan, who declined to be named, said she was preparing to go without drinks once she got inside the stadium so she didn’t lose her place in the standing section near the giant catwalk at the front of the stage.
“We’ve had people that we have met in the line mind our spot while we go to the toilet, but you can’t do that once the show starts so I’m just going to have to hold it until it’s over.”
Hundreds of extra tickets went on sale Tuesday morning via ticketmaster.com.au, and included standing room and restricted view seats, with prices ranging from $200-$600.
Support act Wet Leg is due to take the stage at 6.45pm with the main event to run until about 10pm.
Only about a quarter of ticket holders for the show are from the Gold Coast, with thousands lined up from around the country and around the globe.
Residents of The Langham Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise, the accommodation where Styles was rumoured to be staying, were surprised to wake up on Tuesday to silence outside.
On Monday, hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the resort to see the iconic singer. One resident said the Langham was heavily guarded with security trying to make sure no fans ran into the carpark.
Styles jetted into Coolangatta on Sunday and headed out for a leisurely drive from his lavish digs on Monday afternoon, driving straight past a group of unsuspecting fans waiting outside the resort for a glimpse of the superstar.
Across town the same day, thousands of Styles fans flocked to merchandise stalls outside the stadium to ensure they were fully decked out for the historic gig.
Styles first gained international stardom as a 16-year-old when he joined British group One Direction, which went on to become one of the most popular boy bands of all time.
The One Direction members – also known as 1D – went on a “hiatus” in 2015, with Styles releasing his first solo album in 2017.
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