By Abigail Brandwein
After a four-year hiatus from the music industry, Harry Styles’ reentry has stirred controversy for fans worldwide. Alongside the release of a new album, entitled Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally, Styles announced his 2026 tour on January 22nd.
But to the dismay of his fans worldwide, the Together, Together tour, while advertised as “international”, touched a disappointing array of cities. The calendar only consists of scattered shows across European countries, and a shocking 30 nights at Madison Square Garden.
Fans are saying that the tour’s inaccessible range of locations contradict its name. The title Together, Together implies accessibility and unity, neither of which Styles’ arrangement presents.
Furthermore, ticket prices for the MSG shows are sky-high, preventing even those in close range to the venues from attending. According to ABC News, “fan frustration highlights ongoing concerns about the rising cost of live concerts — and who gets left out”.
Styles’ residency in New York City is highly beneficial for his team and his artistry. Concert residencies, such as the one Madison Square Garden has provided Styles, often provide higher pay for musicians and allow them access to consistent and refined performances.
For the artist, it provides stability, and eliminates travel costs which can then be allocated for production and enhancing the offered experience. For fans, residencies allow for opportunities to see their favorite artists in curated, more intimate settings that are personalized to fit aesthetics or the musician’s preferences.
Furthermore, a cultural hotspot like New York City could help build Styles’ reputation and concentrate a loyal fanbase.
Nonetheless, Styles is criticized for greedy behavior that forces long-time fans to spend high sums of money to see his show. The cost of seeing the Together, Together tour compounds, as high ticket prices are further magnified by the prices of flights and hotels.
“It’s frankly insane to choose to do a residency, where the artist doesn’t need to pay for flights or changing staff. It’s cheap – he’s making fans pay to fly to New York, so he doesn’t have to move,” said Alyssa Magallon, a senior at Irvington High School.
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