Photo: WENN
"Amazingly, this is the first festival we’ve played," says Liam Payne - a sign of just how big One Direction are. Now a group so big it defies belief, this Apple Music Festival appearance could only ever exist to coincide with the announcement of their new album, Made in the A.M.
Of course, 2015 hasn’t been the easiest year for the band; Zayn Malik jumped ship, and a hiatus looms. One which, despite protestations that this "isn’t the end", has a marked Spice Girls / Take That feel to it.
This translates on stage, where there’s a sense of relief in knowing this is the final countdown (at least for a while) - with Payne united with Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson in an effort to go out with a bang.
‘Steal My Girl’ starts the machine whirring, each member assuming their customary roles, but allowing themselves just enough room for personality to show. Harry Styles in particular is living by his own rules, spending most of the first few songs thrusting the microphone to the crowd either by hand or between his legs.
As he takes a swig of water, he throws the rest to the crowd, drenching them to predictably piercing screams. Cavorting around stage like a caged animal restlessly craving independence, the pop rebel image feels as natural as it is practiced.
The task of musicianship falls upon Horan who, guitar in tow, helps provide a splattering of Bon Jovi inspired rock during ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go?’ and ‘Midnight Memories’, Tomlinson’s vocals strongest during the latter’s chorus.
Balladry is where the band has shown most depth, and ‘Little Things’ continues to feel the most touching, even with Payne taking on Malik’s soprano sections. The breadth of song choice, always catchy, always listenable, remains unmatched. And the band on stage are experts at their craft, vocal deliveries on point, even if much of their work is personality based.
But the night is most memorable for the way it takes these four men out of the usual arena routine. Payne admits to feeling “nervous” at playing such a different venue in London’s home of rock. When Horan leaves the stage due to heat exhaustion, Styles’ quip “We’ve lost another one, we’re dropping like flies” is warmly received amongst fans, and a moment of telling self-awareness. “You can pre-order our album…and buy games….even bed-sheets” he continues dryly.
If it is clear the end is near, the band do seem to be approaching their best period musically – or at least with tracks they are given to perform. ‘Drag Me Down’ builds nicely and, though clearly written with the Malik drama in mind, is a song promoting strength over adversity, sounding edgier than the bubble-gum years.
Yet as the night ends with ‘Best Song Ever’, it is clear the foundations of the band, and the hunger for them from the crowd, remains as strong as ever. Styles even notes “men with beards” seem to be enjoying the show. “Finally a sign of approval in hipster world!” he says. But the four men who matter, the remaining warriors, need a break. And a chance to live their real life.
Harry, mind you, might just need a stage of his own.
