Harry Styles‘ solo tour has started not with a whimper but with a bang. At his first ever solo show, the former One Directioner covered Kanye West‘s ‘Ultralight Beam‘, which was without question one of the best tracks of 2016.
Playing an intimate gig at The Garage in north London (capacity: 600 – and you thought Styles’ Aussie tour was tight for numbers), he gave Yeezus’ gospel track a moody rock makeover.
Harry Styles covering KANYE WEST at his first ever solo show! Ultralight Beam ???????????? pic.twitter.com/rFvquupm85
— Howell Davies (@HOWELLDAVIES) May 13, 2017
People are divided on his cover tbh, with his fans losing their mind at his cover and Kanye fans appalled that a white dude could even try.
listen,,, ultralight beam is one of the most beautiful songs i’ve ever heard and that weird indie rock version just changed me as a person
— emma (@clingyjosh) May 13, 2017
HIS COVER OF ULTRALIGHT BEAM IS UNREAL omg so fucking good
— Dani (@yslbukowski) May 13, 2017
how did Harry make ultralight beam white
— hi (@gloverspiderman) May 13, 2017
@HOWELLDAVIES people actually think this is good? I have ear cancer from listening to this. pic.twitter.com/zS85W2F1vZ
— Connor (@ConnorAMiller) May 14, 2017
@HOWELLDAVIES I love harry, but i’m not feeling this cover. White people really don’t need to make indie/rock covers of songs by rap artists.
— Sarah Lynn (@LouisMyyLove) May 14, 2017
that being said I don’t wanna hear anyone saying it’s “better than the original”. Ultralight Beam is a modern day negro spiritual. pic.twitter.com/BL9p9PwlG1
— Talis (@croptopmitch) May 13, 2017
Now excuse me while I find someone to mug for tix to his gig at the Enmore.
harry styles is really out here covering ultralight beam id like to thank not only god but yeezus
— yoko ono (@b_luss) May 13, 2017
Photo: Howell Davies / Twitter.
