Harry Styles Chicago concert rescheduled after fans camp outside United Center to see show

ByDiane Pathieu and Maher Kawash WLS logo
Friday, October 7, 2022
Harry Styles Chicago concert rescheduled after fans camp outside United Center to see show
Thursday's Harry Styles show has been rescheduled "out of an abundance of caution" due to a band/crew illness, the United Center tweeted.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Harry Styles is coming to Chicago, and hundreds of young people camped out at the United Center Thursday hoping to get a spot up close to see him.

There will be six concerts over the next week.

However, after many waited hours for their spot, Thursday's sold-out show has been rescheduled "out of an abundance of caution" due to a band/crew illness, the United Center tweeted. The show has now been moved to Monday.

Sometimes the show can't go on.

Disappointed is quite the understatement for thousands of fans. People were just arriving for the night's show as the news broke.

With the show now postponed until Monday, people tell us they can't even make it back for that so it puts a wrench in so many plans.

"We were pumped. We just drove five hours. We were so ready. We were about to get here, get dressed and now we're just like, welp, what do we do now," said Abbe Milot, who drove from Detroit, only for the parking attendant to tell them it was postponed once they arrived. "I feel for everyone who came out and paid money for hotels and stuff . It sucks ... I guess, it's just frustrating."

"I waited in presale so I was in tears on the phone with her. Waiting for two hours for presale tickets. It's been months in the making, getting plane tickets, making plans, making arrangements, just for everything to fall apart two hours before," added Alyssa Ramos , who flew in from Alabama. "I'm supposed to fly back tomorrow. I'm a healthcare worker so I can't really miss work any more than I already have for this, so it's really devastating."

It's quite the disappointment to what was supposed to be a dream of an experience which these fans say only Harry styles can offer.

"I just think he makes a safe place for a lot of different people. He's super accepting. He's kind of a mirror for everyone else to kind of show them it's okay to be who you are," said Olivia Kitzman.

That's why some fans will do whatever it takes to come back.

"I gotta call off work. We gotta find a car to drive now because we borrowed someone's car today. Hopefully we can make it back," Milot said. "Well, we paid a lot of money so we're gonna make it back. I don't care what's going on."

There was, of course, no shortage of excitement leading up to tonight as people waited hours in line for general admission tickets and merchandise.

This is not how any of them imagined the night ending.

Earlier in the day, die-hard Harry Styles fans wouldn't let anything stop them from getting as up close and personal with the international superstar as possible.

"We need to get a really good spot," fan Janet Marquez said. "I want to see him so close."

Frances Messina is missing work and school to be there for all six performances.

"For me it's more of a nostalgia thing," Messina said. "I don't know, I liked 'One Direction' when I was a child. I'm in college now, like, it's just a fun pastime but also we dedicate our time to this. It's fun."

Hundreds pitched tents, brought sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and more to sleep through the night and into the morning hours.

"I'm really excited. This is my first ever concert," said 11-year-old Olivia verga. "I love him."

So what are all of these fans lining up for? The coveted wristband which will have a designated number. The lower the number, the closer to the stage and to Harry you get.

"That's the dream," fan Jen Nicole said. "I want to be able to feel and smell the sweat!"

People at the front of the line will be able to get right up to the barricades in what's called the pit section. Some fans even drove for hours to hurry up and wait.

"Honestly it's just the environment he creates," said Keily Chapman, who drove from Wisconsin. "Obviously we want to see him but it's also about the people there and the fans, and everyone is so sweet and so supportive"

"We also have pit tickets for the last show which, is Saturday the 15th, and Kailey is also going to the show on the 14th, so we also will be back Saturday to camp out!" Chloe Martin, who also drove from Wisconsin, said.

Others also showing up hours before the show to get their hands on Harry styles merchandise.

"I got the Harry is my friend hat and then the love on tour t shirts. And I got a poster because it was cool," said Amelia and Harper Cappel.

There are supposed to be five other shows over the next week in Chicago, so we'll see how Thursday's reschedule changes those plans.

For more information on the concerts, visit unitedcenter.com.