LONDON: Harry Styles paid an emotional tribute to his former band, One Direction, as he concluded his record-breaking 12-night residency at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Addressing the sold-out crowd, Styles thanked his former bandmates, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and the late Liam Payne, acknowledging the group that launched his music career.
Why was the tribute particularly emotional?
The tribute came with members of Liam Payne’s family, including his parents Geoff and Karen Payne, his sister Ruth and his young nephew, in attendance at the concert.
Payne, a former One Direction member, died in October 2024 at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Styles’ remarks were widely viewed as a tribute to his late bandmate during the final show of his Wembley run.
What did Harry Styles say during the concert?
As the concert drew to a close, Styles told fans that he would not have reached the stage without his former bandmates.
“I wouldn’t be here tonight without four friends of mine. I want to thank Niall, Louis, Zayn, and my dear friend, Liam,” he said.
Why is the Wembley residency significant?
The Wembley performances marked the longest residency by a solo artist at the stadium, with Styles completing 12 consecutive headline shows as part of his global tour supporting his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.
How did One Direction shape Harry Styles’ career?
Styles rose to international fame as a member of One Direction after the band was formed on The X Factor in 2010.
The group went on to become one of the world’s best-selling boy bands, selling more than 70 million records before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016, after which Styles launched a successful solo career.