Harry Styles has paid tribute to his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne by performing a previously unheard song dedicated to him on the second anniversary of his death.
The singer became emotional as he addressed the crowd during the 23rd night of his 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 16.
Styles told the audience that he had lost one of his friends two years earlier, before reflecting on the people who had helped him throughout his career.
"There's so many people in my life, friends and people that I've worked with, that I've never been able to do this without them, and two years ago today I lost one of those friends," he said.
Looking towards a banner commemorating his record-breaking run of 15 consecutive sold-out shows at the venue during his previous tour, Styles spoke about the many people who had contributed to his success.
"There's so many more people behind it, so many people that've touched my life, in such special ways, I wouldn't be here without them," he continued.
"I'm gonna play a song that I wrote for my friend about two years ago, if that's alright."
Styles then performed a new song titled What Is Enough, dedicating the emotional track to Payne.
Liam Payne. Photo credit: Andrea Raffin, Shutterstock
Payne died on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
An autopsy determined that he died from multiple traumas and internal and external haemorrhages.
Styles and Payne first rose to fame alongside Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan as members of One Direction. The group was formed on The X Factor in 2010 and went on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world.
One Direction arriving for the 2011 GQ Awards, Royal Opera House, London. Photo credit: Shutterstock
The band went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, following Malik's departure the previous year, with all five members going on to pursue solo careers.
Following Payne's death, Styles, Tomlinson, Malik and Horan released a joint statement expressing their grief over the loss of their former bandmate.
"We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing," they said.
"In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."
They added that the memories they shared with Payne would be treasured forever, while sending their thoughts to his family, friends and fans.
"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."
