John Wilson’s Next Documentary Will Reportedly Show Audiences ‘How to’ Tour Like Harry Styles

Acclaimed documentarian John Wilson is embarking on a new project centered on pop icon Harry Styles and his latest touring endeavor. Known for his distinctive storytelling approach in his feature debut, The History of Concrete, and the acclaimed series How To with John Wilson, he is now turning his lens toward the intricacies of concert touring.

Wilson has been actively filming Styles since August, focusing on the singer’s current residency at Madison Square Garden. This residency is notable for being the largest single-engagement run ever at the iconic New York venue, scheduled to continue through October. The documentary intends to offer an immersive look into the tour experience, blending live performance footage with candid moments that reveal the dynamics behind the scenes.

The film is being produced in collaboration with Universal Pictures Content Group, Peanut World Pictures, and Harry Styles himself. Universal Pictures Content Group holds the global rights to the project, though distribution specifics have yet to be finalized. Industry insiders suggest that the documentary may receive a theatrical release under Universal’s banner.

Rather than a straightforward concert film, the project aims to deliver a hybrid format. Sources indicate that it will capture authentic human stories from a diverse range of perspectives, including the artist, the fans, and the multitude of crew members integral to the tour’s operation. This approach seeks to provide a comprehensive portrait of the touring ecosystem surrounding one of today’s most prominent pop figures.

While Wilson’s entry into concert documentaries may appear unexpected at first glance, his background includes directing music videos, demonstrating familiarity with music-centric visual storytelling. The current surge in high-profile concert films underscores the commercial and cultural appetite for such works. Recently, blockbuster concert documentaries have been helmed by renowned filmmakers, such as James Cameron directing Billie Eilish’s tour film, and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour documentary achieving wide acclaim.

Wilson’s rising prominence in the documentary field has been further cemented by the box office success of The History of Concrete, which surpassed $2 million in earnings. This success positions him well to tackle a project of this scale and visibility involving a global superstar like Styles.

As the project progresses, further details about the documentary’s release strategy and additional content are anticipated, though they remain limited at this stage. What is clear is Wilson’s intent to delve deeper than standard concert footage, aiming to illuminate the multifaceted experience of touring at an unprecedented level of detail.

The collaboration represents a notable convergence of artistic sensibilities: Wilson’s observational documentary style paired with Styles’ dynamic stage presence and devoted fanbase. Together, they promise a fresh perspective on the mechanics and human stories behind one of the most ambitious concert residencies in recent history.

In an era where concert films have become significant cultural events, this documentary seeks to contribute a unique narrative that goes beyond performance, offering insights into the complex, collaborative effort required to bring such large-scale tours to life.