ARTS AND CULTURE

Harry Styles can be PERFECT

But the high prices are causing headaches

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS STYLES: Tickets for Harry Styles’ NYC concert are expensive due to their explicit and implicit costs.

By RIVER SIMARD

JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For most of the year, New York’s Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan looks the same. Travelers bustle in and out of Penn Station, food vendors line the street selling everything from shawarma to ice cream to hot dogs. But for the last month, a new feature illuminated Eightth Avenue — a layer of brightly colored feathers has lined the streets. Over the last month, these feathers have acted almost as an unintentional Hansel and Gretel breadcrumb trail towards Madison Square Garden, shed from the 70s-style feather boas of thousands of fans who have come to see Harry Styles.

The British pop artist first got his start on “The X Factor” when the famed singing competition judge Simon Cowell assembled the boy group One Direction, using five competitors, including Styles. While One Direction didn’t win that year’s season of The X Factor, they almost immediately became a fan favorite and a world-renowned sensation. After six years, five studio albums, and four world tours, the group went on a stillcontinuing hiatus. Following the hiatus, each of the boys began solo careers, with Styles seeing the most success. Styles’ success is reflected through having 22 songs on the Billboard Top 100, being a headliner at the Coachella festival in 2022, and currently ranking the fourth most-listenedto artist on Spotify.

In May of this year, Styles announced the continuation of his “Love on Tour” which began in September 2021; however, it would look different going forward. Rather than touring dozens of cities across the U.S., he would only be playing in five. He initially decided to only play a few residency shows at each venue — with the most being 10 in New York and Los Angeles — but due to popular demand, he increased the number to 15.

While the residency shows act as a home base for Styles and require less mobility from his production team, it means seeing Styles results in some difficulties for audiences. Tickets can be as low as $80 , but for most of the dates in New York, the price has been closer to $200. Air or train fare from a city such as Boston to New York will often cost another $150, and hotel room accommodations can cost another $300 for just one night. This excludes food and potential merchandise purchases. One night seeing Styles can add up to a minimum of $500 a person.

Despite the high costs, thousands have been traveling across state lines for this onenight-only experience. During Styles’ Sept. 3 show he asked the crowd, “Who in this room is from New York City?” Applause erupted from the New York residents. Styles then asked, “Who in this room is not from New York City?” An explosion of cheers erupted from the crowd, louder than those that preceded them. Styles then thanked “the people of New York and surrounding areas.”

New York City native Hannah Lustig ’25 was able to purchase limited presale tickets to stand in the general admission pit for Styles’ upcoming Sept. 14 show, around $700 cheaper than the inflated prices by scalpers currently listing sales on Ticketmaster. Because she lives in New York City, she is able to stay at home and avoid the additional cost of getting a hotel or Airbnb. She affirmed that she likely wouldn’t go if the experience cost any more than what she’s currently paying.

“I’m not like a superfan or anything,” Lustig said. “I feel like most people in Gen Z like him.” While not a self-proclaimed “superfan,” Lustig is still skipping her Wednesday classes in order to attend the midweek concert.

Many fans will not let cost be an inhibiting factor if it means that they can scream hits from Styles’ latest album “Harry’s House” along with 20,000 other fans in the Garden. For others, it’s just not feasible. Caleigh Abbe ’26 had purchased tickets to see Styles in October for one of his shows in Chicago. Like Lustig, Abbe has a place to stay: in her case, with friends. While she initially bought concert tickets, she admitted to waiting too long for plane tickets, which she has yet to purchase, that have since quintupled in price. “We’re only going to go if [airfare goes] back down, which at this point is just becoming more unlikely.” The tickets, originally priced at $49 dollars when Abbe first began looking, have now increased to close to $250 dollars.

“Even if we can afford it, there’s also the moral of it. Why am I going to spend $500 plus for a concert,” Abbe said. “That was ridiculous.”

Seeing Harry Styles live made many fans ask themselves an important question – How much am I willing to pay? How much am I willing to pay to hear Styles’ notorious stage banter? How much am I willing to pay to chant for his fan-favorite unreleased song “Medicine”? How much am I willing to pay to see Styles rolled out in a box and underneath the stage located in the center of the arena? How much am I willing to pay to experience “Love on Tour”?

FILM REVIEW

‘Barbarian’

By ETHAN GERSTMAN

JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Zach Cregger’s “Barbarian” is an unexpectedly strong addition to the relatively dead landscape of cinema we have been experiencing for the last few months. Other than “Nope,” which was moderately successful, there haven’t been any major releases since early May. This summer’s box office total ends at a paltry $3.4 billion — and summer totals have been below $4 billion only once from 2007-2019. Theaters are closing all over the country, driven partly by a dearth in movie releases coupled with decreased turnout. September has been no exception. This past Labor Day weekend, traditionally a decent weekend for films, had two of its largest domestic box office totals coming from “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” both old releases. “Spiderman” released last December and “Top Gun” last May. Evidently, the release of a film like “Barbarian” came at the perfect time. “Barbarian” tells the story of Tess Marshall, portrayed by Georgina Campbell, who is a documentary researcher traveling to Detroit for a few days for a job interview. The film begins with her being excited in a car in front of her Airbnb, located in a run-down area of the city. From the start, her plan goes awry. She learns that the rental property was double-booked, and the other tenant, Keith, played by Bill Skarsgård, is already in the house. After persuasion from Keith, who appears concerned for her, she makes the worst decision anyone can make in a horror film: trusting strangers. What happens after this point is not suitable to include in a review, lest I risk spoiling the film. With that aside, this film is a thrilling experience. For horror fans, “Barbarian” is nothing new. Many of the situations Tess finds herself in are things we have seen before. However, the twists and turns the director shows us make the film enjoyable and engaging. The imagery presented to the viewer is unsettling and distasteful, but it is precisely that uncomfortableness that makes the experience enjoyable. Good horror films are like roller coasters in that they are simulated experiences intended to create a sense of temporary risk and fear. When you leave the cinema, or the ride, you feel exhilarated. “Barbarian” accomplishes that effect. For those that usually avoid horror films, I would advise them to watch this film as well. It is a good introduction into the world of horror: simple fun meant to provide a thrill. This is not a Jordan Peele film. There aren’t any deep moral arguments in this project, nor are there difficult themes to grasp. The heroes and villains of the story are clear. Cregger delivers a film that lacks the tiring complexity commonplace in today’s Marveldriven cinema of multiverses and time travel. Frankly, its simplicity is refreshing.

“Barbarian,” however, is not perfect. The decisions Tess makes are annoyingly predictable and illogical. Sometimes the pacing is confused and strange, with certain scenes unsuitably long, but these issues do not affect the overall quality of the film. “Barbarian” is low budget fun that does not try to be a cinematic masterpiece. It will shock and scare you, and in that fear, you can forget your life for a short while and experience the off-the-wall insanity Zach Cregger presents.

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS CREGGER: Zach Cregger wrote, directed and starred in the movie “Barbarian.”

STAFF’S Top Ten

By AIDEN GUTHRO

JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

SMILEY HUYNH/the Justice

Top 10 Underrated Things

Shout out to the softball girls who argued this whole list with me.

1. Blue Chips Ahoy. Red Chips Ahoy ain’t it. 2. Over-the-ear headphones. Feels like you are in your own room. AirPods look too futuristic. 3. Chili. A nice bowl of chili? Anytime. Anywhere. 4. Hugh Jackman. Seems like a really nice guy. He is Australian. Maybe the coolest superhero of all time. 5. Treehouses. Never had one, always wanted one. Everyone envied the one kid who had a treehouse. 6. Outdoor Showers. You become one with the elements. 7. “New Girl.” New age “Friends”. 8. Sandwiches at the beach/field trip/anywhere but home. They are always better when you’re on an adventure. 9. Appetizers. So much variety. Often the best part of the dining experience. 10. Push Scooters. Fast transportation and you look cool.

SUDOKU

MINA ROWLAND/the Justice

HOROSCOPES

By EMILY MCKERROW

JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Happy. Not so happy. Happy. Not so happy. It’s Mercury retrograde, everyone! Brace yourself for constant mood swings. Communication can get messy. Be extra mindful of what you say, remember to STOP AND THINK. You may be feeling more impulsive in your speech, as a Mercury retrograde in Libra acts as its opposite polarity. On top of this retrograde, we’re riding out the energy from the full moon in Pisces this week. Pack some extra tissues and go for a long walk.

Aries

(March 20 - April 19): Why don’t you just chill? It’s time to slow down and listen to your friends. They have things they want to share, too. It’s time to strengthen and nurture your relationships as Venus makes its way through Virgo.

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20): It’s time to put the credit card down and pick your journal up! Your emotions were at an all-time high last weekend from the Pisces full moon. Practice mindfulness and don’t be a stranger!

Gemini

(May 21 - June 21): Damn, you double-booked yourself again? Your passions are admirable, but this Mercury retrograde is all about finding a balance between the things you love. Become a Google calendar girlie this month.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 22): Don’t overthink it! You’ve been a little withdrawn lately, which may aid your inner world, but make sure to spend some quality time with your friends this week.

Leo

(July 23 - Aug. 22): Say yes to small talk this retrograde — it’s bigger than you think. Practice pausing before you speak and listening to your friends. They are what will make you feel whole this season.

Virgo

(Aug. 23 - Sept. 23): Ugly things scare you this retrograde. You’re valid. Anyway, indulge yourself in keeping your space pretty and being gorgeous. Just make sure you keep an eye on your bank account.

Libra

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 24): Happy retrograde season, babe! During this retrograde, it’s crucial to communicate your feelings to others. No one is a mind reader. It’s also okay to say no to people this retrograde.

Scorpio

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 21): You’ve been feeling conflicted about everything right now. Give all of your thoughts equal space and time this season. Remember to treat yourself the way you treat your friends.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Did you remember to hit the send button on that text? You’re popular this month! Don’t let that distract you from taking care of yourself and creating balance in your schedule.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Being patient with others never hurt anybody. You don’t need to be in control of everything this season. Focus on yourself and let other people help you for once!

Aquarius

(Jan. 19 - Feb. 18): Indulge in what makes you happy! This season you should try new things and learn more about yourself. Do that thing you’ve always wanted to do.

Pisces

(Feb. 19 - March 19): Don’t bully yourself! You’re your worst critic, and with Mercury in retrograde at this moment, it is important to stop your hurtful inner dialogue and reframe your thoughts. Remember, you’re absolutely sexy and smart and gorgeous.