Harry Styles Performs Unreleased Liam Payne Tribute at Madison Square Garden
Two years after Payne’s death, his friend finally plays a song written shortly after the funeral
Harry Styles, who played in One Direction with the late Liam Payne from 2010 until 2016, took time out during a concert at Madison Square Garden last night to pay tribute to Payne on the second anniversary of his death.
Styles performed the unreleased song “What Is Enough,” a song about losing Payne and the weeks that followed the artist’s death. Before that, he talked briefly to the audience about the experience.
“I feel incredibly lucky to get to play these shows here in New York, and this building means a lot to me,” Styles said. “There are so many people in my life, friends and people that I’ve worked with, that I wouldn’t have been able to do this without. Two years ago today, I lost one of those friends … I’m sure a lot of you have been through similar things. I hope you haven’t. But really, it’s just about looking after each other.”
“There are so many people who have touched my life in such special ways that I wouldn’t be here without,” Styles added. “I’m gonna play you a song I wrote for my friend about two years ago, if that’s all right.”
Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
“I used to be in a boy band — that’s why I’m so fucked up,” Payne reportedly told fans on the night of his death.
One Direction split up in 2016, saying it was a hiatus, while still at the height of their popularity. The band assembled for The X Factor, one of Simon Cowell’s musical talent shows, and went on to become one of the biggest music acts on the planet during their years together.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” One Direction’s remaining members said in a statement in 2024. “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. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
