Harry Styles paid tribute to the late British artist David Hockney as he kicked off a record-breaking run of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The former One Direction star is playing 12 nights at the venue, which is set to surpass Coldplay’s record of 10 performances there in a single year.
The run is also set to overtake Taylor Swift’s record for the most concerts performed at Wembley by a solo artist during a single concert run. Swift performed eight shows at the venue as part of her Eras Tour in 2024.
In a tribute to Hockney, whose death at the age of 88 was announced just hours before the show, Styles displayed a quote from the artist on screens around the venue before performing his song Aperture.
It read: “What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing.
“You wouldn’t be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought.”
Since news of his death was announced, tributes have been paid to Hockney, widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Styles was greeted by loud cheers as he arrived on stage and opened the show with Are You Listening Yet? from his album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
He told the crowd: “Good evening, my name is Harry.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to play for you tonight.
“Our job is going to be to entertain you, I promise you we will do our very best.
“Feel free to be whoever you want to be.”
He then asked the crowd to hold hands and take a collective deep breath, before adding: “Now let’s have some fun.”
During the show, Styles recalled that the venue is beside the location of his X Factor audition 16 years ago.
He said: “My sister brought me here to London for the very first time for my X Factor audition.
“It was right in that building next door that I was put in a band.
“Driving here today I went the same way I went when I first went to that building.
“My sister is here tonight and I want to say thank you.”
Addressing his fans, he added: “It means a lot for me to be here tonight. Thank you so much for allowing me to do these shows. It means so much.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be here at Wembley Stadium. I’m aware I don’t get to do this without you guys.”
Over the course of the two-hour show, Styles performed songs including Watermelon Sugar, As It Was, Sign Of The Times and American Girls.
Styles kicked off his Together, Together Tour in Amsterdam.
Country star Shania Twain opened the Wembley show, performing hits including You’re Still The One, That Don’t Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
Source: Press Association