Rosann’s Reading Recommendations – August 2023
Concert Fics
Sometimes you need a good concert fic–when you’re missing being in a crowd at a show. The fics this month all feature being on the road on tour or have a plot point featuring a concert. Some are canon stories and some are just fun concert fics.
Note that some AO3 fics are available publicly on the server, while some require an Archive of Our Own account/membership to access. If you don’t currently have access, you’ll need to sit on a waitlist – typically for a week or two – to gain access. Get yourself on that list ASAP as some of these require that access to read.
The “Summary” is taken from the author’s own AO3 summary. “Why I Liked It” is my opinion (and only mine). “Content Warning” is a mixture of my own warning and sometimes pulled from the triggers the author has suggested.
If you like this feature, want to chat, or give me suggestions for future themes or recommendations, please hit me up on Twitter. @Rosann_1986 (formally @FlyWishing).
These are NOT in ranked order.
- Atlas at Last by louisandthealien
Summary: Maine to California in ten days. In which Zayn’s an open-shirt hippie they meet somewhere in Ohio, Liam’s the pastor’s son running away from home, and Niall’s the number they call on the bathroom wall. It’s 1978. Harry and Louis are just trying to get to San Fran in time for the Queen concert.
Why I liked It: OT5 Road trip to a Queen concert in 1978. Need I say more? Great historical fiction, good characterization of the boys, and a cute road trip story.
Content Warning: historically accurate homophobia
- Tie Your Heart by ArcadianMaggie
Summary: Harry grows wings.
Why I liked It: This is one of my canon favorites. It is set in 2012 just before the second album. As the summary says, Harry grows wings. It’s a metaphor and I won’t give away the goods, but it’s super well done and just lovely to read. The absolute adoration on the page between Harry and Louis (and all of OT5) is palpable and feels so real, despite the fantasy element of the wings.
Content Warning: homophobia (external and internalized), major character injury.
- Through the Chaos and the Calm by xogucciblue
Summary: Harry had thought he’d been prepared for his first solo tour, and in some ways it is exactly what Harry expected. But in other ways it’s entirely different. It’s lonelier than he remembered, all the waiting around backstage, the endless hours on tour buses, the days he’s so tired he thinks he could melt into the asphalt of a rest stop in the middle of America and happily stay there forever, and the nights he’s too keyed up to sleep. It’s alienating. He feels unmoored, drowning in all of his too-big emotions. Without the chaos of four other boys to keep him distracted, to keep him grounded, he’s afraid it’s only a matter of time until he loses himself in it for good.
Why I liked It: This is a short canon compliant fic circa 2017. Louis and Harry are settled together but still working through unfair industry closeting as they love each other through both the bad stuff and the good. Very sweet and authentic feeling.
Content Warning: stunts referenced, some industry/closeting angst
- You Make It Easy by RearviewDream
Summary: Harry has dreamed of a career in the lighting industry for years. Those dreams only become bigger and brighter when he’s hired to work on Louis Tomlinson’s first solo world tour. At the end of the day, he ends up getting more than just an amazing job out of the deal.
Why I liked It: Good plot with Louis giving a less professionally experienced Harry a shot at a job. Nicely paced friends to lovers.
Content Warning: Louis has a child.
- I hope you choke on those words by Imogenlee
Summary: Harry Styles had been head of security for concert venues for over eight years. Never in his career had he seen a musician as reckless when it came to personal safety as Louis Tomlinson. After making his job a living nightmare, Harry decided he needs to talk some sense into Louis. If only there were some way to shut him up.
Why I liked It: This is a filthy one-shot/ GREAT usage of current events (Louis jumping into barricade). Harry is a security guard with talent for choking.
Content Warning: Smut.
- For Your Eyes Only (and a Million Others) by Galaxie
Summary: It’s Harry’s 25th birthday and he’s supposed to be with Louis, lounging on a Californian beach. Unfortunately, Harry had to reschedule a show, and now he’s in London, playing the O2 on his birthday of all things. What he doesn’t know is that Louis is there too, in London, and with some help, he’s planning a coming-out befitting the international pop rock stars they are.
That is to say, sudden, romantic, dramatic, awe-inspiring and complete with on-point singing.
Louis Tomlinson does have a flair for drama. Harry doesn’t really mind.
Why I liked it: Imagine Larry coming out in the biggest way possible. Yeah. That’s why I like it.
Content Warning: none that I can think of.
- Three Days in February by mercurial-madhouse (writing_practice)
Summary: How close is too close? Harry and Louis are about to find out after a drunken night leaves Louis cursed. With only a week before tour starts, the race is on to fix things before they lose Louis forever. Oh, and Harry has to keep his long-time crush on Louis a secret while the lad can literally hear his thoughts. Easy, right? Featuring ridiculous amounts of banter and angst, a healthy dose of OT5 friendship, and one very magical weekend.
Why I liked it: I love a good body swap fic and there aren’t that many of them, though this technically isn’t body swap, just Louis inside of Harry’s head. Also good OT5 problem solving.
Content Warning:.None that I can think of.
- A Concert 6 months from Now by WolfieMcWolferson
Summary: Harry Styles met Louis Tomlinson at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011 and it’s going to be a problem for the rest of his life.
feat: songwriting for Niall, The National, Martin guitars, pearls, and the author’s love letter to the cliffs of La Jolla.
Why I liked it: Good angst. Subby Harry. Good found family vibe. You’ll want to punch them for breaking up for no good reason, but that’s what makes the angst so good.
Content Warning: None that I can think of.
- Counting the Stars behind the Clouds by simplestardust
Summary: in which Louis plays keyboard as part of touring singer Harry’s back-up band, and spends his time stuck between being oblivious and in denial, while Harry just wants to know how many stars there are in the night sky.
Why I liked it: This is a sweet one. It’s short, no smut. Just a sweet story about a couple of idiots falling in love. Harry is blind and Louis becomes his new keyboard player…
Content Warning: None.
- FallingforYou by gayilystrong
Summary: Harry’s sick on Tour, which leads to naps in Louis’ bunk. Louis of course needs to take care of his baby.
Why I Liked It: Short and sweet one shot on the tour bus, circa 2014. Harry’s not feeling well, and Louis cares for him.
Content Warning: None
Xoxo – Rosann.
Happy reading and thanks for checking out my recommendations. I’d love to hear from you and what you think of my suggestions! Let me know if you have any thoughts for future themes!
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