Layla Langton
Layla LangtonKpopmap Contributor
When I arrived at the venue and took a look at the queue, I don’t think I’ve seen so much self expression between a group of people (and I’ve been to plenty of concerts in my life). More than anything, I noticed the immense amount of LGBT+ flags wrapped around peoples’ necks and bright coloured hair!
Talking to a few of the people in line, I quickly noticed that the fans waiting to go inside, standing in the wind and rain, are some of the nicest groups of fans I’ve come across; all passionate about Holland for not only his music but what seemed to be most important, a K-Pop idol who represents a large number of K-pop fans. Part of the LGBT+ community.
Layla Langton
Layla Langton
When the concert kicked off, the crowd, although intimate, where cheering so loudly that I could barely hear Holland himself. Holland, decked out in all white fabric that just about fit him, pranced around the stage in a manner similar to Freddy Mercury – flamboyantly owning the stage seducing the audience – and I took that as a sign of Holland being able to freely express himself in the comfort of his own event, with his own fans, surrounded by people who love him for who he is, and people who share the same LGBT+ status as him. That was the main thing. Almost everyone – bar me and just about a handful of others – in that room belonged to a sector of what it means to be LGBT, and in that room they could all proudly own it, without the fear of what perhaps Holland is trying to rid people of.
Layla Langton
Layla Langton
The energy of his concert was truly remarkable. While I didn’t feel the adrenaline rush that his fans must have felt, I couldn’t deny that he can hold up well on the stage. There’s a certain energy that Holland releases, like he was singing on his own, no backup dancers and no set, with only stage lights and a projector, but I was still just as entranced as I would’ve been had it been large-scale, like EXO. His passion is also something that felt refreshing, it wasn’t just about the dance and songs, he was truly passionate about his fans, what it means to be Holland and how he has the opportunity to tour Europe even when his own country belittled him all his life, he feels happy that he has his own harling's, people that will always accept him for who he is.
Layla Langton
Layla Langton
In short, Holland's concert felt like a breath of fresh air. No fancy set, multiple costume changes, make-up and hair changes, ad libs at every given moment. It was just Holland, basking in the moment, being able to freely express the feelings of his songs; and his fans – harling – being able to freely enjoy their LGBT idol.
In the words of Holland himself:
We are shining together.
We will shine together.
Read More : Exclusive Photos: Holland 1st World Tour Ep.1: Invitation from Neverland In London
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