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One Direction  

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One Direction is an English-Irish pop band that was formed in 2010 by Simon Cowell on the British television show “The X Factor”. The group consists of members: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.

After each member of One Direction individually auditioned for the 2010 series of the “The X Factor”, the boys were grouped together by talent scout Simon Cowell to form the band One Direction. While the band failed to win the British talent show, the boys won a lot of fans and did secure third place on the show. More impressive, though, is that the boys went on to win the hearts of teenage girls all over the world soon after the show’s end.

One Direction is responsible for causing a second-wave British pop invasion in the US after their hit singles “What Makes You Beautiful", "Live While We're Young" and "Story of My Life" all became top 10 singles on the US album charts. One Direction also holds the record for being the first band to have each of their first three albums, “Up All Night”, “Take Me Home” and “Midnight Memories”, debut at number one on the US Billboard chart.

One Direction’s sudden and meteoric rise to fame has been the result of an extensive social media following. The band is one of the first to have achieved such extensive fame solely through the use of online social media platforms. This, combined with each of the boy’s fun loving yet individualistic image has breathed new life into the boy band pop genre and built an empire worth over $50 million.

The band has toured extensively across the globe, with their songs’ energetic choruses and the boys’ cheeky stage presences constantly winning more and more devoted fans. With further material always in the works, it seems that One Direction’s star will continue to rise for some time to come.

Live reviews

One Direction's performance was spectacular. Even though One Direction was the main event, their opening performances were a great hit. Jamie Scott and 5 Seconds of Summer really know how to please a crowd, especially when they are all so good looking. The stage was massive and had many great features including moving parts, lights, confetti, and two huge HD screens so that every part of the audience is able to see the boys clearly at all times. One Direction came out with so much energy and enthusiasm, and because it was Niall's birthday, he came out with balloons attached to him while playing the guitar and singing.

The boys interacted with the fans and even asked if it was anyone's birthday. They sang like angels and even showed off some dance moves. The boys had a great set list for their concert, with most of their songs being the more recent ones. One Direction looked great, which isn't a surprise, because they always look fabulous. One Direction moved around the stage and had a nice graphic background at all times, they even had picture lyrics for a song. The boys introduced their band and each member played a little bit of a song, and the boys jumped in, as well as the audience and sang along.

Just when you thought that the best night of your life was over, One Direction came back out for their encore to sing some of their most popular songs. The encore was massive and left you amazed. There were fireworks here and there throughout the show, but the encore had a so many, which made for great pictures. Each of the boys said their goodbyes and told the audience to stay safe while going home.

One Direction has grown so much and have become such a big hit all around the globe. The boys are always thanking their fans for all their support and everything that they've done to help them with their career. One Direction will continue to become bigger, especially with their amazing songs and albums, performances, and their dedication to their fans.

Don't be surprised if you lose your voice the next day from screaming out their names and singing their songs. Be sure to take lots of pictures and videos, because you will want to relive your One Direction concert experience forever. One Direction really knows how to give an amazing performance. Look out for Harry, Niall, Louis, Liam, and Zayn, because they are taking the world by storm.

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One Direction was truly one of the best concerts I've been to and I truly mean it. I say it a lot, but I mean it this time. When Zayn announced his departure, I was not sure if One Direction would sound the same without him, but they pulled it off! I saw them at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and the crowd was pumped and ready for the show to begin.

I was standing in the merchandise line while their opening act Icona Pop came on and I watched them from the TV's spread throughout the stadium. Although I missed half of their set, the last few songs were catchy and got me dancing. They delivered a great set and it got me excited for One Direction. Between the two sets, there was about a 20 minute in between.

When it was One Direction's turn to come out on stage, there was a little video that played before the boys came out themselves. Then, smoke comes out from the stage and the boys come out with fireworks coming out from the stage. The arena literally erupts with screaming and they begin their set with their song "Clouds". They had 25 songs in their whole setlist and they were all completely energetic throughout the whole concert. The fans had a project where we held up papers during You and I (it was supposed to be during Fireproof but they didn't have that song on their setlist) that says "Nobody saves me baby the way you do" with a picture of one of the boys with angel wings. My mom and aunt enjoyed the whole concert by the look of it and so were other parents/adults. There were people of all ages at the concert and it seemed that everyone enjoyed it.

One Direction's encore consisted of "You and I", "Act My Age", "Little White Lies" and their last song "Best Song Ever". I was so sad that the concert actually ended because it felt so surreal.

I would recommend going to a One Direction, regardless if you are a die hard fan or not because I am sure you will have a great time. Their singing was great, they kept me and my family entertained, and overall, they're angels. I will never forget this concert and I hope the boys continue to make people this happy.

One Direction took me to a different world last night! Their huge stage, fun props and great personalities made for an unforgettable night!

Their opening act, 5 Seconds of Summer, were perfect for getting the crowd pumped and ready! Their rock inspired performance was a great way to start the night, it made you want to sing at the top of your lungs and dance till you couldn't dance any longer. After 5 SOS had finished rocking the stage, we jammed out to great music. Even the intermission was a blast and the crowd danced and sang along to the fun, upbeat music!

Up next was the anticipated performance from the boys of 1D! You could feel the energy in the roar of the crowd and couldn't help but join and scream like a little girl! When the boys came on, it was like nothing I've ever experienced, the crowd went wild and you could feel the energy and excitement through your whole body! Even the stadium shook in excitement with us. They came out with a bang, singing a song from their new album, "Midnight Memories". The upbeat, rock felt song was a perfect intoduction to a spectacular show!

I was completely captivated through out the entire performance! There was not a single dull moment. The boys did an excellent job with transitioning from song to song and keeping the crowd pumped. Not only did they keep the crowd engaged in the show but they made it personal by interacting with the crowd by making jokes and talking to us!

I would recomend everyone to go and see One Direction! Fan or not you will enjoy the high energy performance and the fun stage and props! So if you're on the fence about going, go! You won't regret it!

One direction. They were excellent. Not only them but even the opening act. I haven't been to a stadium concert since green day 2010. One direction was very personal to the crowd "SHOUT OUT TO WILL FOR BEING A GOOD BROTHER!" I remember Harry styles saying. Then he sang Brianna happy birthday. She cried so hard.

I will say a downer is being in the upper stands for seating in the Cardinals arena. It's understandable they can't just come out and sing to our faces but it's unfortunate they don't try. Lol. The fact they really are appreciative of the fans and of the support is what really brings them down to earth. Some might think "no they're be too thankful it's annoying they're doing it for cheers and whatever!" No. They are really thankful. How often do you hear of an X Factor group who didn't even win be known across the globe? At least I don't hear it too often.

These boys whether the know it or not are really good. Good at heart and good at what they do. If I could meet them it would be an honor. I wouldn't cry and scream like most. But I'd take it to heart to know that I met LEGITABLY AWESOME people.

Even if they break up as a singing group they'll be legends. They really rocked it last night and same with 5SOS. I don't even know all their names (EXCELT LUKE! I like luke:) ) but I know their music and it rocks hard. They sound so good live. They make the perfect team, 1D and 5SOS. It was a moment to live for. My first 1D concert and my sister's first concert concert. She's only twelve and she's been dying to see one direction. So thank you ALL for your existence.

OMG I had the best time at the One Direction concert!!! It was like all my dreams were coming true!!! My experience before the concert started was crazy!!! So I went with my best friend to the concert and we spend like 10 min trying to find out seats because this time we were in the 100's and not the 200's so when we asked the usher where are seats were he said row five, so my friend thought he meant five rows from the top!!! So probably ten minutes before Icona Pop preformed, the usher came to us with two other girls and told us we were in the wrong seats, so we got nervous because we were like "shit we have to move back" and we already thought that we were so close!!! So the usher asked for our tickets and after he read them, he's like "Your seats are down there in row five"!!!! After that me and my friend flipped out and I almost fainted because I love them so much and it was a dream come true to go to this concert!!! My family doesn't have much money so when my friend found out that they were going on tour again, she bought me the tickets for my birthday!!!! So I wouldn't of been there if it wasn't for her!!! Then we made a promise to each other that for the next concert we were going to do whatever it takes to get tickets to the meet and greet and front row tickets!!! So we are going to be holding some fundraiser to help pay for the tickets because I would do anything for a chance to meet Louis Tomlinson!!!! But thank you One Direction for changing my life around!!! I definitely wouldn't be in this place in my life right now if it wasn't for you guys!!! Luv ya!!!

So this was my fourth time seeing One Direction live and oh it was beautiful. I feel like every time I see them live they get better and better. My seats were right next to the runway and sound booth so I had a perfect view of the whole stage. Since it was outside the acoustics were perfect and you can hear everything even though there were 90,000 something girls screaming their heads off.

Every time the boys played a song you can just feel the floor shake and the bass just vibrate through your body. Surprisingly the boys were very interactive with the audience even though their were so many girls in the crowd freaking out for their attention, me being one of them.Zayn waved at me, then Harry and Liam basically hip thrusted in my direction.

These boys really know how to work the stage they kept running up and down and just were idiots and on top of that their voices were on point. They sound way better live then they do on their own CD. It was honestly the best show I've ever seen a band give.

On top of their amazing voices and hip thrusting they had the coolest graphics and stage design I've ever seen. The stage just looks like a big playground basically. I'm so happy I got to see them again and have such amazing seats because it was one of their best shows. They all had smile on their faces, especially Niall since it was his birthday, you can just tell these boys love what they do.

I can't wait till next year because I'm defiantly am going again. These boys don't disappoint!

When I heard One Direction's new album Four in November 2014, I knew it would be an amazing album to hear live. I asked for tickets for Christmas and I got them! I was told my seats were amazing but i never saw them until the day of the show. They were the closest I've ever been to my favorite celebrity.

When we got there (my concert was at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) there were a lot of people but we still stood in line to get shirts and stuff. When we were finally down to our field seating to watch the opening act I had a heart attack. We were so close to the stage! We were maybe twenty feet away and I was on the end seat. It made for some great pictures!

The opening act was Icona Pop. I only knew two of the songs but I still enjoyed it and the dancers were fantastic. During the opening act, we all went to the bathroom and made new friends with the people around us.

Finally the concert started. I'd never been more excited in my life. I told myself I wouldn't cry but the second I heard Harry Styles busting out his first note in clouds it was like Niagara Falls. The entire rest of the show was amazing even without Zayn. There were fireworks and lasers and all that jazz. I made eye contact with Louis and Harry a few times and Liam waved to me. When Harry threw his water bottle, we all got splashed. This goes down as the best night of my life so far.

When I first knew One Direction coming to Singapore for tour, I was super excited for it, but then, for poly students, that week is a exam week, so unfortunately I couldn't buy the ticket. It was damn sad, I even search for the seats and prices. Just one week before the concert, I received an email from spots hub merchandise manager, Erny, that she is giving away 7 pair of free pair One Direction, On The Road Again Tour ticket, as I volunteer for sea games merchandise. I was lucky that I was able to get the free pair of One Direction ticket by replying the Machandise Manger's email ASAP after I received. Though the seat was right at the back($88 seat), being able to be there was already fortunate enough. Though couldn't see them clearly, as we were far back behind from stage, being able to see them from the big screen and listen to their beautiful voice was my biggest joy. Thank you One Direction for coming to Singapore, thank you sports hub for the tickets, I will never regret going to their concert!!! I wish they will be able to come Singapore again, and I will definitely buy the hot seat. :)

Can I just say OH MY FUXKING GOD! It was probably the best night of my life. I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as much since zayn wasn't there. But I was so wrong! They started the show off with Clouds and when they entered there were fireworks! I was just like. Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis obviously looked bomb af. I really couldn't believe they were right there in front of me. They played some of my favourite songs! Kiss you, Midnight Memories, Little Black Dress, Little White Lies, Through The Dark, Girl Almighty, Steal My Girl, You and I, Act My Age, No Control and ended with Best Song Ever. Along with the songs, they didn't leave any attempt behind of making us laugh and enjoy ourselves. Niall made a new rap about Vancity Chick, Van VanCity Chick hehe. Also Harry made us moan like ughh. OHHHHH YEAHHH And also I can't forget about a sign that said "NIALL HAS MORE FANS THAN NAUGHTY BOY HAS FANS" And Liam read it and said that it made his night. We heard Niall's Classic laugh after reading that sign. All in all it was the best day of my life and I hope they'll come back soon. I love them so much

My concert in Baltimore was totally awesome! I first got my merch, which was a white t-shirt with the dates on the back, and the program. I next waited for the gates to open, and I think I saw their cars. Someone waved, and their were microphones. I got in and walked up to my section(539). I then got some food and got to my seats. I went with my Aunt, by the way. We ate while waiting, and they played commercials and music videos. Icona Pop came on, and they were really good. We waited some more, and 1D finally came on. My seats were in the stands in front of the stage, so I got a really good view. Niall called us sexy, and a fan baked Harry cookies. They were gone by the end of the show. I sang along to every song, and screamed my heart out. We even made Liam feel better, as he was a bit ill. Liam and Louis had a water fight, the whole show was amazing. It was a bit hectic getting out though, but I was home by 2:00 AM. It was a great show. It was my 2nd concert, the first being TMH in Hershey. I will remember it for years to come!

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One Direction Share Hugs, Bid Farewell at Last Show Before Hiatus

It was a sad moment for Directioners everywhere on Oct. 31, as One Direction played their last show of the On the Road Tour in Sheffield, England. The concert was the band's last concert together as a group before they plan on going on an extended hiatus.

Fans shed tears as the Harry Styles , Louis Tomlinson , Niall Horan and Liam Payne shared hugs and congratulated each other on stage. The poignant moment was captured by numerous fans and uploaded to social media, such as the video posted above on YouTube.

The band announced over the summer that at the conclusion of the On the Road Tour, the members will embark on solo careers for an undefined period of time. There has been speculation that this will be the end of One Direction, but each band member has insisted that the break is not permanent.

The boys' fifth album, Made in the A.M. , is set to be released on Nov. 13.  They are scheduled to appear at the BBC Music Awards and the American Music Awards before the hiatus begins in 2016.

Directioners around the world felt the weight of the last show, with #ProudofOneDirection began trending worldwide.

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One Direction Promises to Return at Final Concert Before Hiatus

One Direction's last on-stage hoorah in Sheffield on Saturday night (Oct. 31) proved to be an emotionally bromantic one.

By Adelle Platon

Adelle Platon

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One Direction ’s last on-stage hoorah in Sheffield on Saturday night (Oct. 31) proved to be an emotionally bromantic one. According to timelines, there were loads of hugs, conga line dancing and reminiscing for their On The Road tour finale before the group’s extended break into 2016. 

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The pop boy band carried on their world tour, even after fifth member, Zayn Malik, exited the group this past March. The quartet — Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan — poured their hearts out and ran through their catalog of chart-toppers.

'American Idol': Jack Blocker Impresses With Country Cover of 'Believe' For Top 8 Spot

Payne told the crowd, “Basically, we are a mess.”

“I still can’t believe this. I remember five years ago when this all started. Our first gig was a little nightclub in Scotland,” Horan added.

One Direction Beats Beatles’ Record With Fifth Top 10 Debut on Hot 100

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The show seemed like one big, happy celebration as the bros hugged it out and serenaded their fans, even forming a stageside conga line during their performance of “Act My Age.” 

One fan in attendance  pointed out that Styles even showed Malik love, saying, “Thank you for supporting me and my four bros.” 

After performing over 80 shows across 20 countries, One Direction’s farewell gig made it rain tears from 1D diehards though Horan promised on Twitter that they’d be back.

Styles also dished out thank you tweets.

LAST OTRA GROUP HUG!! EVERYBODY IN THE FANDOM NEEDS TO HAVE THIS ON THEIR TL #OTRASheffield3 pic.twitter.com/c9jRqMUfVa — ?? ? (@_stylesss09) November 1, 2015

safe to say last night was incredible. Gona miss doing shows for a while , it’s the best part of what we do thats why it was emotional — Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) November 1, 2015

Thank you anyone who has come to watch us live over the last few years, it’s incredible to be able to play our music live for you . — Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) November 1, 2015

Yes.Don’t let the papers or online stuff tell you we’re not coming back.. We are , I’m just going on a long holiday https://t.co/iBsM3y52gZ — Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) November 1, 2015

We have been very lucky to work with an amazing crew throughout the last five years of touring. To all of you, thank you for everything. — Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) November 1, 2015

To everyone who came out to see us on tour, thank you for having us. You’ve been our everything out there, and we love you. Thank you. H — Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) November 1, 2015

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Louis Tomlinson

The Heartfelt Way Louis Tomlinson Captured One Direction’s Last Backstage Moments Together

31 October 2019, 12:31

Louis Tomlinson has opened up about his last show with One Direction.

One Direction took a hiatus in 2016, almost one year after Zayn Malik left the band.

The boys have gone on to have solo careers of their own, with Louis Tomlinson , Niall Horan , Harry Styles and Liam Payne all releasing new music at the same time.

Louis Tomlinson World Tour: 'We Made It' Singer Announces First Solo Tour Dates For 2020

Louis is about to drop his debut album, 'Walls', on 31 January 2020 and in the run-up to its release he’s been opening about his new music and reflecting on his time in One Direction.

During a chat on the Zach Sang Show, he discussed how he “never gets tired” of talking about the world-famous boyband, as the experience got him to where he is today.

When quizzed on when it hit him that 1D would be splitting up, Louis explained how he made sure to take in their last show.

Louis said: “That last tour we did a show in Sheffield, which is 20 minutes from where I live so it was a special show for me anyway, and I got this amazing footage from one of my phones of a time-lapse in my dressing room on the whole last day of the tour.

“There was a moment where me and Niall just sat on the sofa and kind of took it all in and had a moment to ourselves. It was pretty heavy.”

Reflecting on how One Direction changed his life, Louis added: “I couldn’t hold a job down when I was younger, this was my first big, proper job and so I thought, ‘That was good that, what’s next?’”

Louis said he then spent some time with his family and had a few holidays before returning to the music industry with his track with Steve Aoki, ‘Just Hold On’.

The 27 year old recently announced he’s heading on his first solo tour in 2020, on a 43-stop tour which will kick off in Barcelona.

Confirming the news, Louis wrote: “Been waiting for this moment since I started my solo career. Can't wait to see you all on tour. There are also a few more dates going up at a later date. Thanks for everything. Here we go!”

Louis will kick off the tour in Barcelona before stopping off in other European cities such as Berlin and Paris. In the UK, he will play London, Glasgow, Manchester and his native city, Doncaster. He will then head to Dubai and also play shows in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Brazil - to name but a few - before making his way to America.

Former bandmate Harry Styles is also heading on tour next year, exclusively telling Capital the news in a chat with Roman Kemp this week.

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Louis Tomlinson's new doc goes behind the scenes of One Direction's final performance

Plus, peeks at Tomlinson's reunions with his former bandmates and a look at his journey to becoming a solo artist.

Ashley Boucher is the digital TV editor at Entertainment Weekly , where she also produces EW's What to Watch podcast. A former PEOPLE staffer, Ashley has also written for TheWrap and The Guardian , and has appeared on Cheddar TV. She holds a bachelor's in creative writing from Seattle Pacific University and a master's in journalism from the University of Southern California. You can follow the Oregonian-turned-L.A. transplant on Twitter at @ashleybreports.

Louis Tomlinson 's got a whole lotta history — and it's all coming out in his new documentary.

The most famous chapter of Tomlinson's history book is, of course, his time in One Direction , the mega boy band formed in 2010 on X Factor UK . And it's at the end of that chapter that Louis Tomlinson: All of Those Voices ( in theaters now ) begins.

The film starts in December 2015, when the band — which also included Harry Styles , Niall Horan , and Liam Payne — performed their final show before going on a "break" that Tomlinson never wanted.

Zayn Malik , the fifth One Directioner, had left the band several months prior. His exit signaled the "start of the end" to Tomlinson.

"The more you started thinking well, maybe this isn't going to last forever," the "Bigger Than Me" singer says in the doc. "Have we become the band that we didn't want to be? We started to feel a disconnect, and then all of a sudden now it's talking about maybe we'll go on a break for a couple of years."

"It hit me like a ton of bricks, I was not prepared for it," Tomlinson says of the breakup. "Not at all."

In behind-the-scenes footage of the band's final performance, the lads are subdued as they rehearse what they're going to say to the audience, which included Simon Cowell .

Tomlinson's sister Lottie notes how difficult the day was. "Just to think of it all coming to an end was hard," she says. "But I guess since they'd called it a break, it made it feel better, but it was a very emotional day."

In another moment backstage, Styles, Payne, Horan, and Tomlinson go over their songs with vocal coach Helene Hørlyck, who continues to work with Tomlinson throughout the doc. Before they get on stage, the foursome exchange hugs and thank her for working with them. "Helene, thank you for everything," Payne tells her before they head out. "You've been absolutely amazing, and we could not have done it without you."

After the performance, we get Tomlinson's real-time feelings: "It's like someone going to you, 'You have the best job in the world, go and enjoy your last day at work, 'cause tomorrow you're not working it.'"

Tomlinson didn't know it then, but he would eventually get to return to that job. The documentary brings viewers along on his journey to finding his voice as a solo artist while dealing with the devastating losses of his mother and sister. Other emotional moments include his breaking the Guinness World Record with his COVID livestreamed concert, his son Freddie's first time watching him perform live, and sold-out arena shows on a solo world tour.

But One Direction fans will be pleased to know that a few other members of the band make appearances throughout the doc. Payne shows up when they are both headlining the CCME Festival Madrid in 2019 (the interaction leaves Tomlinson reflecting on how odd it is to listen to his friend play 1D songs without him). Later, Horan reunites with Tomlinson when they're both performing at a festival in Mexico.

The band members might now be scattered across the globe with their respective solo careers, but fans remember One Direction as one of the greatest teams this world has ever seen… and its memory, at least, will live forever.

Related content:

• New X Factor footage shows how One Direction were really formed — with Liam Payne expected to be 'the leader'
• One Direction's Niall Horan felt like a prisoner to the 'madness' of fan obsession
• One Direction celebrate 10th anniversary with heartfelt tweets and interactive site

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The Secrets Of One Direction’s Wildly Successful ‘Where We Are’ Tour

By Naomi Pike

The 2014 Where We Are tour remains One Direction’s greatest triumph. Celebrating the boys’ Midnight Memories album, which became the biggest-selling record of 2013 despite only being released in November of that year, the tour started in Bogotá, Colombia, in April, and concluded six months later in Miami, Florida. More than 3 million fans saw their favourite band live , and it reportedly raked in close to $300 million.

By Kara Nesvig

With a setlist that incorporated new hits like “Story Of My Life” and “Best Song Ever”, as well as fan favourites like “Little Things”, the tour was deliberately created as a visual feast. The stadium-only locations presented the design team with a challenge: how to ensure the energy of Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn’s famously animated performances was not lost in the vast arenas.

Stufish CEO and set designer Ray Winkler was tasked with pulling it off. “I remember the guys having a lot of energy, and being very excited to perform to their fans,” he told Miss Vogue over email. “We had been working very closely with their creative director, Lee Lodge, over the years, so it was great to hook up with him again to design their Where We Are tour in 2014.”

One Direction perform during the Where We Are tour.

By Laura Jackson

By Hannah Coates

By Laura Hawkins

When it came to moodboarding with the band and their team, Winkler said the priority was ensuring that every fan in those gargantuan stadiums felt like Louis, Harry, Liam, Zayn and Niall were singing only to them. “[We] made sure that the stage was pushed deep into the audience and the side video screens were rotated back, so that those who sat in the wings – traditionally not very good seats – could still see their favourite band and be part of the experience,” Winkler explained. “We made sure that no matter where you sat, you could always see them perform on stage.”

The set designer says every member of the band took a keen interest in the process. “They were all equally engaged and interested in the creation of this tour — after all, it was going to be the five of them that needed to make the set come alive, so they could deliver the most memorable experience for their fans. Their passion and ambition to deliver the best show possible was undeniable.” Winkler added: “All the members of One Direction were incredibly interested, and very excited about the fresh new creative approach that Lee brought to the table.”

The boys’ close involvement contributed to the fast-paced, high-energy planning phase ahead of the tour. “Ideas flew thick and fast, so our role was to understand the creative ambition and translate it into a viable touring proposition, while at the same time preserving the energy and intent of the original idea,” he said. “Stufish played an integral part in translating this vision into a vibrant and impactful design that reflected the band’s aspirations and ambitions of being the world’s greatest boy band.” Job done then.

A bus-like structure on stage at the Where We Are tour concert in Pasadena, California.

The result was a bold, bright, electrifying production, picked out in a colour palette that reflected the energy of the band. Pyrotechnics were employed for additional drama, with a catwalk-style promenade jutting into the crowd for an intimate touch.

Of course, a key part of the production’s success was the excitement of the fans, who purchased their tickets for the sell-out tour just shy of a year in advance. “The energy that One Direction managed to generate from their fans in the stadium really inspired us to create an experience that their fans would never forget, and to push the boundaries of stage design for a pop concert,” Winkler says.

“The set was quite complex, with multiple entrances and exits connecting to multiple ramps and stairs. You can imagine some of the comedy of trying to choreograph the five band members on a stage terrain that was anything other than flat,” Winkler recalled. “The opportunity to get lost made for some funny moments of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

One Direction on the set for the Where We Are tour.

Six years on, Ray clearly still has fond memories of his days working with One Direction boys. “My favourite memory of the tour was being surrounded by so much talent, dedicated to delivering the best show ever. One Direction was such an exciting band to work with, and it was a great privilege to be part of their journey and see them grow creatively.”

More from British Vogue:

By Daniel Rodgers

‘Better Than Words’: How One Direction Became One of the Great Rock Bands of the 21st Century

• By Jon Blistein

Jon Blistein

A bathroom figures significantly in the origin stories of at least two classic One Direction songs. The first will be familiar to any fan: Songwriter and producer Savan Kotecha was sitting on the toilet in a London hotel room, when he heard his wife say, “I feel so ugly today.” The words that popped into his head would shape the chorus of One Direction’s unforgettable 2011 debut, “What Makes You Beautiful.” 

The second takes place a few years later: Another hotel room in England —   this one in Manchester — where songwriters and producers Julian Bunetta and John Ryan were throwing back Cucumber Collins cocktails and tinkering with a beat. Liam Payne was there, too. At one point, Liam got up to use the bathroom, and when he re-emerged, he was singing a melody. They taped it immediately. Most of it was mumbled — a temporary place-holder — but there was one phrase: “Better than words …” A few hours later, on the bus to another city, another show — Bunetta and Ryan can’t remember where — Liam asked, maybe having a laugh, “What if the rest of the song was just lyrics from other songs?”

“Songs in general, you’re just sort of waiting for an idea to bonk you on the head,” Ryan says from a Los Angeles studio, with Bunetta. “And if you’re sort of winking at it, laughing at it — we were probably joking, ‘What if [the next line was] “More than a feeling”? Well, that would actually be tight!’” 

“Better Than Words,” closed One Direction’s third album, Midnight Memories . It was never a single, but became a fan-favorite live-show staple. It’s a midtempo headbanger that captures the essence of what One Direction is, and always was: One of the great rock & roll bands of the 21st century. 

July 23rd marks One Direction’s 10th anniversary, the day Simon Cowell told Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson that they would progress on The X Factor as a group. Between that date and their last live performance (so far, one can hope) on December 31st, 2015, they released five albums, toured the world four times — twice playing stadiums — and left a trove of Top 10 hits for a devoted global fan base that came to life at the moment social media was redefining the contours of fandom. 

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It’d been a decade since the heyday of ‘NSync and Backstreet Boys, and the churn of generations demanded a new boy band. One Direction’s songs were great and their charisma and chemistry undeniable, but what made them stick was a sound unlike anything else in pop — rooted in guitar rock at a time when that couldn’t have been more passé.

Kotecha, who met 1D on The X Factor and shepherded them through their first few years, is a devoted student of the history of boy bands. He first witnessed their power back in the Eighties, when New Kids on the Block helped his older sister through her teens. The common thread linking all great boy bands, from New Kids to BSB, he says, is, “When they’d break, they’d come out of nowhere, sounding like nothing that’s on the radio.”

In 2010, Kotecha remembers, “everybody was doing this sort of Rihanna dance pop.” But that just wasn’t a sound One Direction could pull off (the Wanted did it only once ); and famously, they didn’t even dance. Instead, the reference points for 1D went all the way back to the source of contemporary boy bands. 

“Me and Simon would talk about how [One Direction] was Beatlesque, Monkees-esque,” Kotecha continues. “They had such big personalities. I felt like a kid again when I was around them. And I felt like the only music you could really do that with is fun, poppy guitar songs. It would come out of left field and become something owned by the fans.”

“The guitar riff had to be so simple that my friend’s 15-year-old daughter could play it and put a cover to YouTube,” says Carl Falk

To craft that sound on 1D’s first two albums, Up All Night and Take Me Home , Kotecha worked mostly with Swedish songwriters-producers Carl Falk and Rami Yacoub. They’d all studied at the Max Martin/Cheiron Studios school of pop craftsmanship, and Falk says they were confident they could crack the boy-band code once more with songs that recalled BSB and ‘NSync, but replaced the dated synths and pianos with guitars. 

The greatest thing popular music can do is make someone else think, “I can do that,” and One Direction’s music was designed with that intent. “The guitar riff had to be so simple that my friend’s 15-year-old daughter could play it and put a cover to YouTube,” Falk says. “If you listen to ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ or ‘One Thing,’ they have two-finger guitar riffs that everyone who can play a bit of guitar can learn. That was all on purpose.”

One Direction famously finished third on The X Factor , but Cowell immediately signed them to his label, Syco Music. They’d gone through one round of artist-development boot camp on the show, and another followed on an X Factor live tour in the spring of 2011. They’d developed an onstage confidence, but the studio presented a new challenge. “We had to create who should do what in One Direction,” Falk says. To solve the puzzle the band’s five voices presented, they chose the kitchen-sink method and everyone tried everything.

“They were searching for themselves,” Falk adds. “It was like, ‘Harry, let’s just record him; he’s not afraid of anything.’ Liam’s the perfect song starter, and then you put Zayn on top with this high falsetto. Louis found his voice when we did ‘Change Your Mind.’ It was a long trial for everyone to find their strengths and weaknesses, but that was also the fun part.” Falk also gave Niall some of his first real guitar lessons; there’s video of them performing “One Thing” together, still blessedly up on YouTube. 

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Niall horan serenades manchester audience with one direction's 'night changes'.

“What Makes You Beautiful” was released September 11th, 2011, in the U.K. and debuted at Number One on the singles chart there — though the video had dropped a month prior. While One Direction’s immediate success in the U.K. and other parts of Europe wasn’t guaranteed, the home-field odds were favorable. European markets historically have been kinder to boy bands than the U.S.; ‘NSync and Backstreet Boys found huge success abroad before they conquered at home. To that end, neither Kotecha nor Falk were sure 1D would break in the U.S. Falk even says of conceiving the band’s sound, “We didn’t want it to sound too American, because this was not meant — for us, at least — to work in America. This was gonna work in the U.K. and maybe outside the U.K.”

Stoking anticipation for “What Makes You Beautiful” by releasing the video on YouTube before the single dropped preceded the strategy Columbia Records (the band’s U.S. label) adopted for Up All Night . Between its November 2011 arrival in the U.K. and its U.S. release in March 2012, Columbia eschewed traditional radio strategies and built hype on social media. One Direction had been extremely online since their X Factor days, engaging with fans and spending their downtime making silly videos to share. One goofy tune, made with Kotecha, called “Vas Happenin’ Boys?” was an early viral hit.

“They instinctively had this — and it might just be a generational thing — they just knew how to speak to their fans,” Kotecha says. “And they did that by being themselves. That was a unique thing about these boys: When the cameras turned on, they didn’t change who they were.” 

Social media was flooded with One Direction contests and petitions to bring the band to fans’ towns. Radio stations were inundated with calls to play “What Makes You Beautiful” long before it was even available. When it did finally arrive, Kotecha (who was in Sweden at the time) remembers staying up all night to watch it climb the iTunes chart with each refresh.

Take Me Home , was recorded primarily in Stockholm and London during and after their first world tour. The success of Up All Night had attracted an array of top songwriting talent — Ed Sheeran even penned two hopeless-romantic sad-lad tunes, “Little Things” and “Over Again” — but Kotecha, Falk, and Yacoub grabbed the reins, collaborating on six of the album’s 13 tracks. In charting 1D’s course, Kotecha returned to his boy-band history: “My theory was, you give them a similar sound on album two, and album three is when you start moving on.”

Still, there was the inherent pressure of the second album to contend with. The label wanted a “What Makes You Beautiful, Part 2,” and evidence that the 1D phenomenon wasn’t slowing down appeared outside the window of the Stockholm studio: so many fans , the street had to be shut down. Kotecha even remembers seeing police officers with missing-person photos, combing through the girls camped outside, looking for teens to return to their parents. 

At this pivotal moment , One Direction made it clear that they wanted a greater say in their artistic future. Kotecha admits he was wary at first, but the band was determined. To help manage the workload, Kotecha had brought in two young songwriters, Kristoffer Fogelmark and Albin Nedler, who’d arrived with a handful of ideas, including a chorus for a booming power ballad called “Last First Kiss.” 

“We thought, while we’re busy recording vocals, whoever’s not busy can go write songs with these two guys, and then we’ll help shape them as much as we can,” Kotecha says. “And to our pleasant surprise, the songs were pretty damn good.”

At this pivotal moment, too, songwriters Bunetta and Ryan also met the band. Friends from the Berklee College of Music, Bunetta and Ryan had moved out to L.A. and cut a few tracks, but still had no hits to their names. They entered the Syco orbit after scoring work on the U.S. version of The X Factor , and were asked if they wanted to try writing a song for Take Me Home . “I was like, ‘Yeah, definitely,’” Bunetta says. “’They sold 5 million albums? Hell, yeah, I want to make some money.’”

Working with Jamie Scott, who’d written two songs on Up All Night (“More Than This” and “Stole My Heart”), Bunetta and Ryan wrote “C’mon, C’mon” — a blinding hit of young love that rips down a dance-pop speedway through a comically oversize wall of Marshall stacks. It earned them a trip to London. Bunetta admits to thinking the whole 1D thing was “a quick little fad” ahead of their first meeting with the band, but their charms were overwhelming. Everyone hit it off immediately.

“Niall showed me his ass,” Bunetta remembers of the day they recorded, “They Don’t Know About Us,” one of five songs he and Ryan co-produced for Take Me Home (two are on the deluxe edition). “The first vocal take, he went in to sing, did a take. I was looking down at the computer screen and was like, ‘On this line, can you sing it this way?’ And I looked over and he was mooning me. I was like, ‘I love this guy!’”

Take Me Home dropped November 9th, just nine days short of Up All Night ’s first anniversary. With only seven weeks left in 2012, it became the fourth-best-selling album of the year globally, moving 4.4 million copies, per IFPI ; it fell short of Adele’s 21 , Taylor Swift’s Red, and 1D’s own Up All Night , which had several extra months to sell 4.5 million copies. 

Kotecha, Falk, and Yacoub’s tracks anchored the album. Songs like “Kiss You,” “Heart Attack,” and “Live While We’re Young” were pristine pop rock that One Direction delivered with full delirium, vulnerability, and possibility — the essence of the teen — in voices increasingly capable of navigating all the little nuances of that spectrum. And the songs 1D helped write (“Last First Kiss,” “Back for You,” and “Summer Love”) remain among the LP’s best. 

“You saw that they caught the bug and were really good at it,” Kotecha says of their songwriting. “And moving forward, you got the impression that that was the way for them.” 

Like clockwork, the wheels began to churn for album three right after Take Me Home dropped. But unlike those first two records, carving out dedicated studio time for LP3 was going to be difficult — on February 23rd, 2013, One Direction would launch a world tour in London, the first of 123 concerts they’d play that year. They’d have to write and record on the road, and for Kotecha and Falk — both of whom had just had kids — that just wasn’t possible. 

But it was also time for a creative shift. Even Kotecha knew that from his boy-band history: Album three is, after all, when you start moving on. One Direction was ready, too. Kotecha credits Louis, the oldest member of the group, for “shepherding them into adulthood, away from the very poppy stuff of the first two albums. He was leading the charge to make sure that they had a more mature sound. And at the time, being in it, it was a little difficult for me, Rami and Carl to grasp — but hindsight, that was the right thing to do.” 

“For three years, this was our schedule,” Bunetta says. “We did X Factor October, November, December. Took off January. February, flew to London. We’d gather ideas with the band, come up with sounds, hang out. Then back to L.A. for March, produce some stuff, then go out on the road with them in April. Get vocals, write a song or two, come back for May, work on the vocals, and produce the songs we wrote on the road. Back to London in June-ish. Back here for July, produce it up. Go back on tour in August, get last bits of vocals, mix in September, back to X Factor in October , album out in November, January off, start it all over again.”

That cycle began in early 2013, when Bunetta and Ryan flew to London for a session that lasted just more than a week, but yielded the bulk of Midnight Memories . With songwriters Jamie Scott, Wayne Hector, and Ed Drewett they wrote “Best Song Ever” and “You and I,” and with Scott and One Direction, “Diana” and “Midnight Memories.” Bunetta and Ryan’s initial rapport with the band strengthened — they were a few years older, but, as Bunetta jokes, “we act like we’re 19 all the time anyway.” Years ago, Bunetta posted an audio clip documenting the creation of “Midnight Memories” — the place-holder chorus was a full-throated, perfectly harmonized, “I love KFC!”

For the most part, Bunetta, Ryan, and 1D doubled down on the rock sound their predecessors had forged, but there was one outlier from that week. A stunning bit of post-Mumford festival folk buoyed by a new kind of lyrical and vocal maturity called “Story of My Life.”

“This was a make-or-break moment for them,” Bunetta says. “They needed to grow up, or they were gonna go away — and they wanted to grow up. To get to the level they got to, you need more than just your fan base. That song extended far beyond their fan base and made people really pay attention.” 

Production on Midnight Memories continued on the road, where, like so many bands before them, One Direction unlocked a new dimension to their music. Tour engineer Alex Oriet made it possible, Ryan says, building makeshift vocal booths in hotel rooms by flipping beds up against the walls. Writing and recording was crammed in whenever — 20 minutes before a show, or right after another two-hour performance. 

“It preserved the excitement of the moment,” Bunetta says. “We were just there, doing it, marinating in it at all times. You’re capturing moments instead of trying to re-create them. A lot of times we’d write a song, sing it in the hotel, produce it, then fly back out to have them re-sing it — and so many times the demo vocals were better. They hadn’t memorized it yet. They were still in the mood. There was a performance there that you couldn’t re-create.” 

Midnight Memories arrived, per usual, during a November, in 2013. And, per usual, it was a smash. The following year, 1D brought their songs to the environment they always deserved — stadiums around the world — and amid the biggest shows of their career , they worked on their aptly-titled fourth album, Four . The 123 concerts 1D had played the year before had strengthened their combined vocal prowess in a way that opened up an array of new possibilities.

“We could use their voices on Four to make something sound more exciting and bigger, rather than having to add too many guitars, synths, or drums,” Ryan says.

“They were so much more dynamic and subtle, too,” Bunetta adds. “I don’t think they could’ve pulled off a song like ‘Night Changes’ two albums prior; or the nuance to sing soft and emotionally on ‘Fireproof.’ It takes a lot of experience to deliver a restrained vocal that way.” 

“A lot of the songs were double,” Bunetta says, “like somebody might be singing about their girlfriend, but there was another meaning that applied to the group as well.”

Musically, Four was 1D’s most-expansive album yet — from the sky-high piano rock of “Steal My Girl” to the tender, tasteful groove of “Fireproof” — and it had the emotional range to match. Now in their early twenties, songs like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” “No Control,” “Fool’s Gold,” and “Clouds” redrew the dramas and euphorias of adolescence with the new weight, wit, and wanton winks of impending adulthood. One Direction weren’t growing up normally in any sense of the word, but they were becoming songwriters capable of drawing out the most relatable elements from their extraordinary circumstances — like on “Change Your Ticket,” where the turbulent love affairs of young jet-setters are distilled to the universal pang of a long goodbye. There were real relationships inspiring these stories, but now that One Direction were four years into being the biggest band on the planet, it was natural that the relationships within the band would make it into the music as well.

“I think that on Four ,” Bunetta says, with a slight pause, “there were some tensions going on. A lot of the songs were double — like somebody might be singing about their girlfriend, but there was another meaning that applied to the group as well.” 

He continues: “It’s tough going through that age, having to spread your wings with so many eyeballs on you, so much money and no break. It was tough for them to carve out their individual manhood, space, and point of view, while learning how to communicate with each other. Even more than relationship things that were going on, that was the bigger blanket that was in there every day, seeping into the songs.” 

Bunetta remembers Zayn playing him “Pillowtalk” and a few other songs for the first time through a 3 a.m. fog of cigarette smoke in a hotel room in Japan.

“Fucking amazing,” he says. “They were fucking awesome. I know creatively he wasn’t getting what he needed from the way that the albums were being made on the road. He wanted to lock himself in the studio and take his time, be methodical. And that just wasn’t possible.” 

A month or so later, and 16 shows into One Direction’s On the Road Again Tour, Zayn left the band . Bunetta and Ryan agree it wasn’t out of the blue: “He was frustrated and wanted to do things outside of the band,” Bunetta says. “It’s a lot for a young kid, all those shows. We’d been with them for a bunch of years at this point — it was a matter of when. You just hoped that it would wait until the last album.”

Still, Bunetta compares the loss to having a finger lopped off, and he acknowledges that Harry, Niall, Liam, and Louis struggled to find their bearings as One Direction continued with their stadium tour and next album, Made in the A.M . Just as band tensions bubbled beneath the songs on Four , Zayn’s departure left an imprint on Made in the A.M. Not with any overt malice, but a song like “Drag Me Down,” Bunetta says, reflects the effort to bounce back. Even Niall pushing his voice to the limits of his range on that song wouldn’t have been necessary if Zayn and his trusty falsetto were available. 

But Made in the A.M. wasn’t beholden to this shake-up. Bunetta and Ryan cite “Olivia” as a defining track, one that captures just how far One Direction had come as songwriters: They’d written it in 45 minutes, after wasting a whole day trying to write something far worse. 

“When you start as a songwriter, you write a bunch of shitty songs, you get better and you keep getting better,” Ryan says. “But then you can get finicky, and you’re like, ‘Maybe I have to get smart with this lyric.’ By Made in the A.M. … they were coming into their own in the sense of picking up a guitar, messing around, and feeling something, rather than being like, ‘How do I put this puzzle together?’”

After Zayn’s departure, Bunetta and Ryan said it became clear that Made in the A.M. would be One Direction’s last album before some break of indeterminate length. The LP boasts the palpable tug of the end, but to One Direction’s credit, that finality is balanced by a strong sense of forever. It’s literally the last sentiment they leave their fans on album-closer “History,” singing, “Baby don’t you know, baby don’t you know/We can live forever.” 

In a way, Made in the A.M. is about One Direction as an entity. Not one that belonged to the group, but to everyone they spent five years making music for. Four years since their hiatus and 10 years since their formation, the fans remain One Direction’s defining legacy. Even as all five members have settled into solo careers, Ryan notes that baseless rumors of any kind of reunion — even a meager Zoom call — can still set the internet on fire. The old songs remain potent, too: Carl Falk says his nine-year-old son has taken to making TikToks to 1D tracks. 

“Most of them weren’t necessarily musicians before this happened, but they loved music, and they found a love of creating, writing, and playing,” Kotecha says

There are plenty of metrics to quantify One Direction’s reach, success, and influence. The hard numbers — album sales and concert ticket stubs — are staggering on their own, but the ineffable is always more fun. One Direction were such a good band that a fan, half-jokingly, but then kinda seriously, started a GoFundMe to buy out their contract and grant them full artistic freedom. One Direction were such a good band that songwriters like Kotecha and Falk — who would go on to make hits with Ariana Grande, the Weeknd, and Nicki Minaj — still think about the songs they could have made with them. One Direction were such a good band that Mitski covered “Fireproof.”  

But maybe it all comes down to the most ineffable thing of all: Chance. Kotecha compares success on talent shows like The X Factor to waking up one morning and being super cut — but now, to keep that figure, you have to work out at a 10, without having done the gradual work to reach that level. That’s the downfall for so many acts, but One Direction were not only able, but willing, to put in the work.

“They’re one of the only acts from those types of shows that managed to do it for such a long time,” Kotecha says. “Five years is a long time for a massive pop star to go nonstop. I know it was tiring, but they were fantastic sports about it. They appreciated and understood the opportunity they had — and, as you can see, they haven’t really stopped since. Most of them weren’t necessarily musicians before this happened, but they loved music, and they found a love of creating, writing, and playing. To have these boys — that had been sort of randomly picked — to also have that? It will never be repeated.”

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One Direction Wiki : Tours

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One Direction Boys Cry After Last Show: Inside Their Private Emotional Goodbye

Say it isn't so! One Direction performed in their final concert in the UK before their long hiatus, and HollywoodLife.com has EXCLUSIVE details on what went on behind-the-scenes after their farewell show. Find out all the scoop! It's a sad farewell -- for now. One Direction played their final show of their current, and possibly last, world tour in Sheffield, United Kingdom, on Oct. 31, and there wasn't a dry eye in the arena. And now, HollywoodLife.com can EXCLUSIVELY reveal what happened after the boys' most poignant performance yet!

Fans packed the Sheffield Arena in northern England on Halloween night in what was an emotional night for the Directioners and the band. Sources tell us that after the show, the lads huddled together and shed a few tears over their success!

“After the show in Sheffield, the guys were buzzing, but there was also a sense of accomplishment,” a source tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “They’ve come such a long way since they were young boys looking to get ahead on X Factor , and the sudden realization that they will be taking a long break from it really hit home. There were some tears shed, the guys hugged each other and wished each other well as they go on their own paths for now. There was no animosity between them on the final night.”

Aw! They really have come a long way since they were just hopeful teens, but they certainly conquered the world with their live shows and hit songs. Don’t stay away for too long, fellas, because you’ll be missed!

A recent report in UK newspaper The Sun almost took the gloss off 1D’s farewell show, claiming that the band was plagued by bitter rivalries. However, Niall Horan was quick to shut that down on Twitter.

“Don’t (sic) believe anything you are reading. We stand strong as a band and we’re brothers ,can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been working on,” he tweeted. Niall added, “Thank you for all the continuous love and support ..” And that says it all!

What do you think, HollywoodLifers ? Can you see One Direction returning to the stage one day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega Recalls One Direction Opening Their Tour: 'That Was Really Hard for Us'

The British boy band joined the American pop group on 10 dates of their Better With U tour in 2012

 Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Nickelodeon

It may have been a boy band fan's dream come true that One Direction and Big Time Rush once teamed up for a tour, but it wasn't so easy for BTR at the time.

On an episode of the Unplanned podcast , Big Time Rush member Carlos PenaVega opened up about why it was "hard" for the American pop group to have 1D as their openers on their Better With U tour in 2012. The singer, 34, explained that although fans originally bought tickets in support of BTR, it felt as though they ended up being more excited to see the British band.

"After our show, fans were outside the theater chanting for One Direction," PenaVega said.

"That was really hard for us," he revealed.

The singer/actor explained that between the time the "Boyfriend" band's North American tour was announced in fall 2011 to when the group featuring Niall Horan ,  Zayn Malik , Liam Payne ,  Harry Styles  and  Louis Tomlinson was added to the bill, their popularity simply took off.

"Our tour was sold out before they got on. So, they were there to see us," PenaVega recalled. "But it was like The Beatles . It was like a freak of nature. They wanted these five, cute British boys."

The former Nickelodeon star said that the "What Makes You Beautiful" group tried to return the favor, but he and his bandmates Logan Henderson , James Maslow and Kendall Schmidt decided against it.

PenaVega shared, "They offered for us to open for them in the U.K. and our egos got in the way. We were like, 'No. Never.'"

"Probably should have done it," he added. "I mean we were kids. I was like 22. It's hard to control your ego at that age."

JM Enternational/Redferns

Big Time Rush's Better With U Tour was their first national tour across the U.S. and Canada. It followed the release of their second studio album, 2011's Elevate . The string of live dates ran throughout February and March 2012 and featured support from One Direction on select dates, in addition to artists like JoJo and others throughout the tour.

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The concerts marked the "Kiss You" band's first shows in the U.S., as they had previously only played live across the U.K. and Ireland. Shortly after the Better With U Tour, 1D brought their own headlining Up All Night Tour, which was in support of their 2011 debut album of the same name, to North America.

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While 1D eventually went through lineup changes when Malik, 31, departed the band in 2015 and they officially went on hiatus in 2016, Big Time Rush still remains active.

The "Windows Down" group did go on hiatus in 2014, but reunited in 2021 for select shows , and last year, they dropped their fourth studio album, Another Life . The project marked their first album in a decade, following 2013's  24/seven , and was also their first-ever independently released record.

BTR also set out on a tour throughout much of summer 2023 in support of their comeback .

When the foursome announced their most recent tour in February of last year, they opened up to PEOPLE about what it means to them to be back together again .

"We're not just looking for hits," shared Henderson, 34. "Obviously that's great, but we want to make good music that we are proud of and that's literally what we're striving for. That's why it's taken so long."

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One Direction's Solo Endeavors: Breaking Down Every Single, Album & Artistic Venture

With the arrival of Niall Horan's third solo album, 'The Show,' GRAMMY.com takes a deeper look into the solo careers of Horan and his One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

Looking at everything One Direction achieved in their time together, it's hard to believe that they were only active for six years. What's even harder to fathom is that they've now been on hiatus just as long — but luckily for fans, that time has proven fruitful for Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles , and Louis Tomlinson.

Each member has released at least one studio album as a solo artist, and they have all dipped into several other ventures within fashion, producing, and mentoring rising stars. Horan is the latest to deliver more solo music, unveiling his third album, The Show , on June 9.

Through all those efforts, the quintet has kept One Direction's legacy not only alive, but thriving. While together, they were a pop phenomenon who sold an approximate 70 million records, but their solo careers have allowed them to showcase their true personalities. With that, lofty achievements came in tow — GRAMMY Awards, sold-out tours, and even more chart-topping hits — as well as the certainty that One Direction will never fully diminish (see Styles' roaring rendition of "What Makes You Beautiful" or Horan's sweet performance of "Story of My Life" ).

From Malik's introspective Mind of Mine to Horan's latest set, GRAMMY.com breaks down all of One Direction's solo endeavors.

Soon after his sudden departure from the group in 2015, Zayn Malik signed with RCA Records. His debut album, Mind of Mine , came out on March 25, 2016 — exactly one year after he left the band.

Mind of Mine sees Malik in a new musical direction, leaning into his R&B roots and soulful voice while also taking a more risqué approach in his songwriting. Despite the stark difference, the album topped several charts upon debut, including the U.S. and the U.K., even helping Malik become the first British male singer to top the Billboard 200 with his first album. (Lead single "Pillowtalk" also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time a U.K. artist topped the chart with their first single.)

Malik quickly proved to be a sought-after collaborator, with Chris Brown , Snakehips and M.I.A. all recruiting him for singles in 2016. At the end of that year, he issued his biggest collab to date, "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" with Taylor Swift for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack. The song scored Malik his second massive hit on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 2.

As fans eagerly awaited his second album, Malik delivered two more major collabs, "Still Got Time" featuring PartyNextDoor and "Dusk Till Dawn" with Sia . After facing several delays, Icarus Falls arrived in December 2018. Comprising 27 songs across two disks, the album featured six singles ("Let Me," "Entertainer," "Sour Diesel," "Too Much" featuring Timbaland , "Fingers," "No Candle No Light" featuring Nicki Minaj ), though none had the impact of "Pillowtalk." 

After working on a few other collaborations — including a cover of "A Whole New World" with Zhavia Ward for 2019's Aladdin remake — Malik's third studio album, the utterly-personal Nobody Is Listening , came out in 2021. He teased the project through singles "Better" and "Vibez," and designed the album artwork himself. Later that year, he shared a now-deleted Dropbox link to Yellow Tape — a collection of three controversial hip-hop songs that showed another side of his musicality.

Malik has also been an influential name in fashion, modeling for brands like Versace and Penshoppe, and designing his own product lines for Giuseppe Zanotti and Versus (Versace). He also wrote an autobiography in 2016, Zayn . 

Though he has been fairly quiet in 2022 and 2023, Malik has shared photos from the studio, and hopped on a posthumous remix of Jimi Hendrix 's "Angel" last year. And while he's eight years removed from 1D, he hasn't completely forgotten his time in the band — even sharing an instantly viral clip of him singing his fan-favorite note from "You & I" in 2022. 

Niall Horan

Niall Horan signed with Capitol Records and released his first solo single, "This Town," in September 2016. Followed by "Slow Hands," and "Too Much to Ask," Horan released his debut LP, Flicker , in October 2017 — just as "Slow Hands" hit No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay charts. A mix of soft rock and straightforward pop, the album helped Horan become the third 1D member in a row to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart (after Malik and Styles, more on the latter later).

In support of the release, Horan embarked on two world tours: Flicker Sessions , which started in August 2017 and was held in smaller, intimate venues, and 2018's Flicker World Tour , which featured 82 shows across North and Latin America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

Horan's second studio album, Heartbreak Weather , led by single "Nice to Meet Ya," came out in March 2020 and topped the charts in the U.K. and Ireland, while reaching number four in the U.S. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his ambitious touring plans, and he decided to use his downtime for collaboration. He teamed up with Anne-Marie for two singles, "Our Song" and a cover of Fleetwood Mac 's "Everywhere," and hopped on a version of Ashe's "Moral of the Story," But perhaps his most beloved collab is with his best friend Lewis Capaldi — a bromance that started with Horan's admiration for the singer and developed into live performances together, plenty of interactions on social media , and a Guinness-sponsored TV special, Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar , out in 2022.

In early 2023, Horan became a judge on NBC's "The Voice," and recently confirmed his return to the next season of the show this fall. Two weeks after wrapping his first "Voice" season, Horan released his third studio album, The Show , on June 9. A fruitful experimentation of folk melodies and modern synths, it showcases how much his songwriting has matured since Heartbreak Weather .

Horan will perform at festivals across Europe and Asia in 2023, including Lollapalooza Paris and Summer Sonic Tokyo. He'll kick off The Show: Live on Tour in his native Ireland in February 2024, and will hit cities in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America through July 2024.

Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson was the biggest contributor to One Direction's songwriting, with credits on over 30 songs in their discography. His passion for music production extended to an auxiliary participation on 2015's "The X Factor," which in 2018 turned into a fixed position as a judge and winning mentor on the fifteenth series of the show.

As for Tomlinson's own solo music, he made his debut with the Steve Aoki -assisted single "Just Hold On" in December of 2016. Before releasing his debut LP, Walls , in January of 2020, the singer focused on collaborations and singles. Through a pop-punk verve, Tomlinson began to establish his own post-1D style with singles like 2017's "Just Like You" and the minimalistic "Back To You" with Bebe Rexha — his biggest hit to date, with more than 1 billion combined streams on Spotify and YouTube. Some other singles, like the touching tribute to his late mother, "Two of Us," and the rock-edged "Kill My Mind," were included in Walls .

In 2021, he created and curated The Away From Home Festival, a one-day festival first held in London that year and followed by a 2022 edition in Malaga. In 2023, the event will return for its third run in August at Lido di Camaiore, Italy. Among the lineup are UK rising indie names like Blossoms and The Cribs. 

Tomlinson's second album, Faith in The Future , was released at the end of 2022 and peaked at No. 1 in the U.K., marking his first top-charting album in the country as a soloist. Supported by singles "Bigger Than Me," "Out of My System," and "Silver Tongues," it furthered Tomlinson's explorations into indie rock and Britpop. 

In March of 2023, Tomlinson released All Of Those Voices , a soul-baring documentary where he talked about his fears upon One Direction's hiatus, grief, fatherhood, and the struggles of fame. Currently, Tomlinson is on a World Tour through North America, U.K., and Europe. 

Harry Styles

After signing with Columbia Records, Harry Styles made his solo debut in April 2017 with the power ballad "Sign of the Times." One month later, his eponymous debut album came to life. A commercial and critical success, it topped charts in several countries upon release, including the U.S. and the U.K album tallies.

From the get-go, Styles' solo appeal was apparent. After immediately selling out his first run of solo shows that fall, he plotted a world tour playing arenas in 2018 — all of which sold out. That success translated to the release of his second album, 2019's Fine Line . The album's first-week sales were the biggest ever for a British male soloist since 1991, when Nielsen began tracking sales electronically.

While singles "Adore You" and "Falling" had solid traction, it was "Watermelon Sugar" that solidified his place as a solo superstar. Not only did the track earn Styles his first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, but it also won the singer his first GRAMMY in 2021 (for Best Pop Solo Performance).

Then came the lauded Harry's House , the album that cemented Styles as a vanguard artist and performer. Lead single "As It Was" foreshadowed the gargantuan success that was to come, topping the Hot 100 for 15 weeks — the longest-running U.S. No. 1 by a U.K. artist . Harry's House debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and was the fourth best-selling album of 2022 with more than 2 million equivalent album units. The album also went on to win Best Pop Vocal Album and the coveted Album Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Styles's ongoing sold-out Love On Tour, which started in 2021 in support of both Fine Line and Harry's House , has also set unprecedented records. Last year, he held mini-residencies in both Los Angeles's Kia Forum and New York's Madison Square Garden, and became the third musical artist to earn a MSG banner after selling out 15 consecutive nights at the venue. 

Styles has also made an impact through his daring fashion sense, modeling for brands like Gucci and becoming the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue in 2019. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in movies like 2017's Dunkirk and 2022's Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman .

Credited as one of One Direction's main songwriters, Liam Payne started to venture into his own musicality by remixing tracks back in 2014, under the aliases "Payno" and "Big Payno." He signed with Republic Records in October 2016, unveiling his debut solo single, "Strip That Down" (featuring Migos' Quavo) in May 2017. With lyrics that reinforced his new journey ("You know I used to be in 1D"), the track peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100 and spent two weeks atop Billboard's Pop Airplay chart.

Marked by collaborations with artists that range from Rita Ora ("For You", off of Fifty Shades Freed 's soundtrack), to A Boogie wit da Hoodie ("Stack It Up"), to J Balvin ("Familiar"), Payne's solo career is one of 1D's most diverse, exploring genres that go from hip-hop to electronic music.

After a 2018 EP, First Time , Payne dropped his debut studio album, the long-awaited LP1 , in December 2019. Including all of his previous singles, the record is a portrait of the singer's prolificness and versatility. 

While he has been less active musically in recent years, Payne delivered another dance collab in 2020 ( "Midnight" with Alesso ), a couple of Christmas tracks (including the Dixie D'Amelio team-up "Naughty List,"), and a song for the 2021 animated movie Ron's Gone Wrong ,  "Sunshine." Outside of music, Payne was also named the first global ambassador for fashion brand Hugo Boss, and designed two of their capsule collections. In a recent interview with iFL TV, Payne mentioned working on a new album for 2023 .

It’s still unclear when the much-awaited One Direction reunion will happen, but the quintet's individual forays continue to bloom, and exciting opportunities lie ahead for each of the members. Through their diverse repertoire and newfound artistries — from Styles's buoyant strikes to Tomlinson's rock affinities — one thing is certain: the 1D members might follow multiple directions now, but they aren't stopping anytime soon. 

Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

Photo: Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Zayn's 'Room Under The Stairs': Everything We Know About Release Date, Cover Art & An Unexpected Country Influence

On May 17, One Direction alum Zayn Malik will release a new album following a three year intermission. Here's all the details GRAMMY.com could find, from the single debuting this Friday to the cover art and country twang.

After a three-year interlude, Zayn is back with his fourth solo venture. A fresh-out-the-studio single landing on Friday will set the stage for his highly anticipated LP, Room Under The Stairs , dropping May 17.  

His latest opus follows the 2021 release of Nobody is Listening , and promises to be a sonic oasis to fans parched for his next drop.

After wiping the slate clean on his Instagram, the "Pillowtalk'' star shared a window into his new era on March 6. A sneak-peek video laced with Zayn's own narrative prepares listeners for an album that promises to be an introspective, pared-back and profoundly personal portrait. 

"There's just me writing this," he said in the post. "I didn't want anyone else to be in between me and the music, and the music and the people listening to it. "  

Dropping a trail of musical breadcrumbs over the last week, Zayn divulged snippets, artwork, and release dates culminating in the reveal of the name, cover, and drop date for the full LP.

Read on for everything GRAMMY.com has unboxed about Zayn's artistic resurgence. 

It's His Most Intimate Album To Date

Zayn's new work promises to be an auditory memoir and a portal to a new era for the artist. On March 6, Zayn prefaced the album's unveiling, shedding light on the upcoming direction in an Instagram post. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn)

In a visual collage overlaid with candid commentary, Zayn confides, "I think the intention behind this album fully is for the listener to get more insight on me personally as a human being… my ambitions, my fears, and for them to have a connection with that and that's why it's so raw. It's just me."   

The First Single Is Out On Friday

Fans won't have to practice patience for too much longer. Ahead of the full album release, Zayn has already shared a glimpse of what to expect with his single "What I Am," debuting on March 15. 

The teaser includes cover art of a tree-lined horizon reflected in a body of water, with a discerning eye peering through the center of the scene. This atmosphere hints at a harmonious blend of raw emotion and introspective, soul-searching lyrics. 

In the video preview, Zayn roams through a field at golden hour with handwritten lyrics scrawled over the scene. The singer/songwriter wonders, "Am I crazy?/ Am I foolish?/ Am I stupid for playing these games with you?/ If I told you I loved you would you say that it's f****d up?" 

The Cover Art Reflects Renewal

The cover art for Room Under The Stairs serves as a visual metaphor for a new beginning for Zayn, featuring a silhouette of the singer/songwriter superimposed on a simplified concept illustration of a room under a staircase. 

The use of the blueprint drawing conveys the idea of life under construction, paralleling Zayn's deliberate crafting of new musical narratives. The contrast between the silhouette underscores the album's exploration of intimate aspects of the artist's mind and the conception of fresh beginnings.

There's An Unexpected Country Influence

According to Rolling Stone , Zayn has been working with famed Nashville producer Dave Cobb . A nine-time GRAMMY winner, Cobb has worked with rock legends and country greats alike, including Brandi Carlile , Lady Gaga , Bruce Springsteen , Chris Stapleton and others.   

“What got me about Zayn was his voice, you can hear love, loss, pain, triumph and humanity in it. I feel as if this record is removing the glass from his spirit directly to his fans,” Cobb told Rolling Stone . “Zayn has really created his own universe on this record, he really has no fear and is speaking straight from his soul.”

It's A Fresh Start with Mercury Records

Transitioning from RCA to Mercury Records last summer, Zayn dropped his first single under the new label "Love Like This" in July 2023. Ever since, fans have been looking forward to the full experience. Room Under The Stairs will mark the grand unveiling of this new alliance. 

Keep your eyes peeled and ears ready for the latest scoop on Zayn's upcoming album as more revelations are announced.

One Direction's Solo Endeavors: Breaking Down Every Single, Album & Artistic Venture

Photo: Kevin Mazur

GRAMMY Rewind: Harry Styles Celebrates His Fellow Nominees (And His Biggest Fan) After Album Of The Year Win In 2023

Revisit the moment Harry Styles accepted the most coveted award of the evening for 'Harry's House' and offered a heartfelt nod to his competitors — Beyoncé, Adele, Lizzo, Coldplay and more.

After a wildly successful debut and sophomore record, you'd think it was impossible for Harry Styles to top himself. Yet, his third album, Harry's House , proved to be his most prolific yet.

The critically acclaimed project first birthed Styles' record-breaking, chart-topping single, "As It Was," then landed three more top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Late Night Talking," "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" and "Matilda." The album and "As It Was" scored Styles six nominations at the 2023 GRAMMYs — and helped the star top off his massive Harry's House era with an Album Of The Year win.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind , revisit Styles' big moment from last year's ceremony, which was made even more special by his superfan, Reina Lafantaisie. Host Trevor Noah (who will return as emcee for the 2024 GRAMMYs ) handed the mic to Lafantaisie to announce Styles as the winner, and the two shared a celebratory hug before Styles took the mic.

"I've been so, so inspired by every artist in this category," said Styles, who was up against other industry titans like Beyoncé , Adele , Lizzo and Coldplay . "On nights like tonight, it's important for us to remember that there is no such thing as 'best' in music. I don't think any of us sit in the studio, making decisions based on what will get us [an award]."

Watch the video above to see Harry Styles' complete acceptance speech alongside his collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson . Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind, and be sure to tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8 -11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

Here Are The Album Of The Year Nominees At The 2024 GRAMMYs

Photo: JMEnternational/Getty Images

Harry Styles' Biggest Songs: 10 Tracks That Showcase The Versatility & Creativity That Have Made Him A Star

Since his solo debut in 2017, Harry Styles has become one of pop's biggest names by pushing the boundaries of the genre. Dig into 10 songs that showcase Styles' musical genius, from smash hits like "As It Was" to beloved deep cuts like "Fine Line."

Throughout his career, Harry Styles has proven that his music defies categorization. From his poppier days with One Direction to the more rock- and funk-inspired sounds of his solo music, every song and album have been a testament to his ongoing evolution as an artist .

His three solo albums thus far — 2017's Harry Styles , 2019's Fine Line , and 2022's Harry's House — have explored soft rock, psychedelic pop, and synth-pop. With such genre-fluid diversity in his discography, there's something for everyone to indulge in.

Styles' genre-blending techniques have undeniably made him a household name. The past two years solidified that, whether through his 169-show Love On Tour or his Album Of The Year win for Harry's House at the 2023 GRAMMYs. 

Though Styles has remained relatively quiet since the Love On Tour wrapped in July, he surely has fans anticipating his next move. For now, take a look at 10 Harry Styles tracks that illustrate the versatility and creativity that's helped him go from boy band member to solo sensation.

"Over Again," Take Me Home (2013)

A deep cut from One Direction's second album, Take Me Home , "Over Again" features an impressive solo from a then-19-year-old Styles. This song takes listeners on a nostalgic journey, looking back to the happier days of an ill-fated relationship, yearning for the ability to rewind time to a point before the love story unraveled.

Styles' emotionally charged vocal delivery accentuates and intensifies the profound sense of melancholy that is being relayed in the song. The depth in Styles' voice invites the audience to connect and empathize with the song's heartbroken narrative — a trait that still permeates in his solo ballads today. 

"Clouds," FOUR (2014)

Styles highlights his vocal prowess in a different way on One Direction's youthful FOUR cut "Clouds." Not only did it feature extensive, powerful vocal runs, but it also showcased the rock sensibilities of his voice. "Clouds" diverted from 1D's traditional pop sound and ventured into a more guitar-driven style, incorporating rock elements and arguably foreshadowing the sounds of Styles' debut album released three years later.

"Sign of the Times," Harry Styles (2017)

Styles kicked off his solo journey in bold fashion: a nearly six-minute ballad. The cinematic, '70s rock-inspired "Sign of the Times" presented a stark departure from his previous work with One Direction, hinting that he was more than ready to evolve musically on his own.

The release of the song marked a turning point in Styles' career, enabling him to embrace a more mature sound and gain credibility as a solo artist. His continued exploration of genres is a trait that Styles has carried into his later projects, ultimately establishing his status as a genre-fluid artist.

"Kiwi," Harry Styles (2017)

One of Styles' boldest steps into the rock genre, "Kiwi" tells a story about a rebellious and free-spirited girl who captures Styles' attention, despite knowing she's no good for him. In this lively track, Styles trades polished pop for unfiltered rock vocals, showcasing an edgier side he hadn't displayed in his boy band days — both lyrically and sonically.

The song's dynamic energy is further amplified by the rich supply of classic rock-inspired guitar grooves. While Styles hasn't revisited the raw sound of "Kiwi" much since, it serves as a reminder that he can tackle any creative technique he desires.

"Watermelon Sugar," Fine Line (2019)

One could argue that "Watermelon Sugar" is a perfectly crafted pop song: refreshing guitar grooves, a lively instrumental, sultry harmonized vocals. In fact, it's so flawless, it earned Styles his first GRAMMY in 2021 for Best Pop Solo Performance.

That's just one way the Fine Line single marked a pivotal moment in Styles' career. It also became his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that he has staying power as a pop star in his own right. And as one of two songs with more than 2 billion Spotify streams alone, "Watermelon Sugar" has also proven to be a Harry Styles classic. 

"Falling," Fine Line (2019)

One of Styles' most gut-wrenching tracks, "Falling" offers an introspective take on heartbreak. The haunting piano-driven melody emphasizes the pain in Styles' voice as he realizes his harmful habits caused him to lose a lover.

The song's emotional transparency and stripped-down vocals make it one of his most emotionally mature tracks, as well as one of his most captivating. While the track is Styles' lowest-charting single to date (it reached No. 62 on the Hot 100), "Falling" has proven itself to be a fan favorite, with more than 1 billion streams on Spotify. 

"Fine Line," Fine Line (2019)

Despite being the title track, "Fine Line" isn't just a deep cut from Styles' acclaimed 2019 album, it's an outlier in his whole discography — but in a beautiful way. The song is largely instrumental, with a lonely, yet emotionally-charged energy that highlights Styles' stunning falsetto.

In an interview with Capital FM , Styles cited a connection between the song's lyrics and his feelings throughout the album-making process; with the closing lyrics echoing, "We'll be alright," the song sheds light on the apprehension that often accompanies embarking on a new creative journey. The message foreshadowed Styles' subsequent ventures after the record's release, including a step into acting and the exploration of a new sound in Harry's House .

"As It Was," Harry's House (2022)

The lead single for Harry's House , "As It Was" served as Styles' first plunge into the synth-pop genre, which carried throughout the project. Despite the track's buoyant melody, its true essence conveys a more gloomy narrative. Styles explores the idea that nothing remains the same once being put into the limelight — a poignant message from one of pop's biggest stars.

Along with introducing a new sound for Styles, the brilliantly juxtaposing track also cemented him as a bonafide superstar. After "As It Was" debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April 2022, it reigned for 15 weeks , marking the most for a British artist in the chart's history. It was also a chart titan in Styles' home country, becoming the longest-running No. 1 and best-selling single of 2022 on the UK Singles Chart. What's more, it helped Styles earn his first Record Of The Year GRAMMY nomination, and undoubtedly contributed to his Album Of The Year win at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

"Late Night Talking," Harry's House (2022)

Taking the synth-pop of "As It Was" into the '80s, "Late Night Talking" blends retro-inspired vocal distortions and groovy instrumentation. Yet, somehow, it has a timeless groove that still feels contemporary — a skill that has become a Styles trademark.

The single had big shoes to fill as it followed the smash hit "As It Was" but it fiercely proved that Styles' had room for multiple hit songs under his belt. "Late Night Talking" landed the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Pop Airplay Chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 Chart.

"Matilda," Harry's House (2022)

One of Harry's House 's few somber tracks, "Matilda" instantly became another fan favorite in his catalog. As he gently sings over plucked guitar instrumentals, he comforts someone who feels out of place within their family at home ("You don't have to be sorry for leavin' and growin' up," he sings in the chorus).

While Styles has delivered plenty of tender moments, the storytelling and emotion of "Matilda" arguably helps it stand as his most thoughtful composition to date. Although it remains as an album cut, "Matilda" is further proof that Styles' has mastered the skill of making music that resonates with listeners — whether he's compelling them to shed tears or dance along.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Watch: Harry Styles Releases New Video For "Daylight" From 'Harry's House'

"Daylight" is the latest track on Harry Styles' 'Harry's House' to receive the video treatment. The clip finds the three-time GRAMMY winner sauntering around a traveling carnival.

James Corden may have jokingly made a video for Harry Styles ' "Daylight" in three hours, for $300, but that's not the end of the story — Styles has finally finished the job.

On July 19, the three-time GRAMMY winner  — including Album Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs , for his blockbuster third album, Harry's House — unveiled a full-fledged music video for "Daylight."

In the clip, Styles strolls around a traveling carnival — a complex of cherry-red structures — and interacts with its quirky denizens. Midway through, he even takes flight on black and yellow wings, and eventually finds himself astride a horse. At video’s end, Styles walks a tightrope against an azure sky.

Read More: 5 Takeaways From Harry Styles' New Album Harry's House

This is the fifth video from Harry's House , following "As It Was," "Late Night Talking," "Music For a Sushi Restaurant," and "Satellite."

The “Daylight” video arrives just three days before Styles’ final show of his long-running Love On Tour. He’ll close out the nearly two-year trek — which included 15 sold-out nights at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden — in Reggio Emilia, Italy on July 22.

Along with touring, Styles has co-starred in the psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling and romantic drama My Policeman since the release of Harry's House . He also expanded on his fashion ventures, co-releasing a Gucci collection with fashion designer Alessandro Michele in Nov. 2022.

Check out the new video for "Daylight" below and keep checking GRAMMY.com for Harry Styles news!

• 1 One Direction's Solo Endeavors: Breaking Down Every Single, Album & Artistic Venture
• 2 Zayn's 'Room Under The Stairs': Everything We Know About Release Date, Cover Art & An Unexpected Country Influence
• 3 GRAMMY Rewind: Harry Styles Celebrates His Fellow Nominees (And His Biggest Fan) After Album Of The Year Win In 2023
• 4 Harry Styles' Biggest Songs: 10 Tracks That Showcase The Versatility & Creativity That Have Made Him A Star
• 5 Watch: Harry Styles Releases New Video For "Daylight" From 'Harry's House'

One Direction's 10 Biggest Career Moments, In Chronological Order

One Direction began their journey to superstardom 10 years ago. Here's a look back at the band's 10 biggest career moments in chronological order!

One Direction is celebrating their 10th anniversary on July 23, 2020. It's hard to believe that 10 years ago, fans were introduced to the biggest boyband of the 2010s. They will go down in history as one of the best of all-time.

The band consisted of Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson, who all met and formed the band on  The X- Factor .

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They put out five albums, which sold 50 million copies worldwide, have broken records, stole the hearts of fans, and brought happiness to so many people.

Like many good boy bands, One Direction broke up, going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Now, the young men are all successfully embarking on solo careers .

To commemorate their anniversary, here are their 10 biggest career moments.

10 Finished Third on "X-Factor"

Sometimes winning doesn't always mean success. After getting rejected at Bootcamp in Series 7 of The X-Factor UK as soloists in 2010, they were made into a group and mentored by Simon Cowell . They did not win the show, eventually placing third, but became the most successful act to ever be on the show.

RELATED: 20 Little Known Facts About One Direction's Liam Payne

Styles supposedly came up the name One Direction and the rest was history. After the show, they went on the X-Factor Live Tour throughout the UK.

9  Performed At The 2012 Olympic Games

The London Olympic Games in 2012 had a great opening and closing ceremonies, including the Spice Girls , Voldemort, Mr. Bean, and of course, One Direction and many more. Only one album in and two years into their formation, this was a HUGE deal for the boys.  They performed  their debut single, "What Makes You Beautiful," on top of a lorry, accompanied by British volunteer dancers.

8 Performing At Madison Square Garden For The First Time

One of the biggest accomplishments of a singer's career is performing at Madison Square Garden, the third largest venue on the planet. The boys got to perform in front of tens of thousands just two years into their careers.

RELATED: 20 Sketchy Things Everyone Ignores About One Direction's Zayn Malik

The show sold out in one minute, breaking one of many records. Payne and Tomlinson got tattoos to celebrate the milestone. Horan even called it the "Best night of their lives."

7 "Midnight Memories" Was The Fastest-Selling Album Of 2013

The album sold 237,000 copies in one week. Their third record, and arguably their most popular, topped the UK chart and became the fastest-selling album of 2013, reaching number one in over 90 countries. They had the first album in a decade that sold more than one million copies in the UK. The album sparked the singles, "Best Song Ever," "Story of My Life," "Midnight Memories," and "You & I".

6 "One Direction: This Is Us" Documentary

Among the ranks of Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys, Taylor Swift , and many others, One Direction joins many singers who have documentaries about their concerts and life. The 2013 3-D Documentary concert film about the English-Irish boyband, grossed $68 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing concert film of all-time. This Is Us followed them on their every move, giving the fans inside scoop to their everyday lives. It topped the  box office on its opening weekend, making it the third concert film to do so.

5 The 'Where We Are Tour' Was The Highest-Grossing Tour By A Vocal Group In History

In 2014, One Direction set another record when they embarked on their headlining concert tour, Where We Are Tour, in support of "Midnight Memories." This tour was their first-all stadium tour, and was the highest-grossing tour of 2014, making it the 15th highest-grossing tour of all-time, and the highest of all-time by a vocal group. It is the band's most attended tour to date. The band 5 Seconds of Summer served as their opening act. The tour was released on DVD in December 2014.

4 First Band On The US Billboard 200 Charts To Have Four Albums Debut At Number One

This was the last album before Zayn left the group. "FOUR," the album named appropriately for how many they have, became their fourth record to top the Billboard 200 Chart, following "Up All Night," "Take Me Home," and "Midnight Memories." This made them the first band to have their first four albums debut at number one in the US. The album sparked the singles, "Steal My Girl" and "Night Changes".

3 Zayn Malik Left The Group

Where were you on March 25, 2015, when the news broke that Zayn Malik left One Direction? If you were a fan of the group it was probably the talk of your school, amongst friends, etc. Nobody knew if this was the end of the band or not.

RELATED: 16 Ways One Direction's Louis Tomlinson Amassed His $70 Million Networth

His reasoning was that he wanted to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. After his departure, the rest of the band members didn't really speak with Malik.

2 Went On A Hiatus

Now taking on the world as a foursome, One Direction released one more album, "Made In The A.M." and went on one last tour, On The Road Again Tour. The band then announced they would be taking an 18-month hiatus, which turned out to be almost 5 years. Their last televised performance was on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2015. They have yet to reunite, but the men have been hinting at a reunion, leading up to their ten year anniversary.

1 "What Makes You Beautiful" Video Hits One Billion Views

On November 6th, 2018, their debut video, "What Makes You Beautiful" hit one million views on Youtube, seven years after releasing it. It is their first video to hit this milestone. The video won two MTV Music Video Awards- best pop video and most share-worthy video. Fun fact: The beach that "WMYB" was filmed on is the same beach that Styles' "Watermelon Sugar" video was filmed on.

NEXT:  10 Years Later: Here's What One Direction's Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis, And Zayn Are Up To Now

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What Does One Direction Say About a Reunion? Find Out if the Band Members Want to Get Together Again

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Niall Horan…

“It’s just like the conversation hasn’t happened. It’s a great legacy to have. No, I don’t think it sucks the air out the room. It’s more, the answer’s still the same. The conversation hasn’t happened. We speak regularly, but that conversation hasn’t happened. God knows whether it ends up being. It could be like the Friends reunion, it could be a whole tour. God knows what it is, but no, it hasn’t been spoken about,” Niall said around the release of his new album The Show .

Believe it or not, it’s been 13 years since the boys made their red carpet debut as a group. We compared pics from their first red carpet to their most recent and cannot get over how much they changed !

Niall also revealed that he asked one of his bandmates for help with his new album .

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Rory McIlroy finding his smile in New Orleans may be exactly what he needed to kick-start his game

Mcilroy is now one of 12 golfers with 25 pga tour victories and four major championships to his name.

In a sport that has become obsessed with shiny new objects, it is still historical achievement that rings the most true and authentic. Especially when a historical signpost is reached at the conclusion of a week fueled by nothing but beignets and joy.

Rory McIlroy on Sunday in New Orleans joined an exclusive club of golfers after concluding a team event that seemed to infuse him with a tremendous amount of delight. The names in that club are basically a who's who of players that have made their mark on the PGA Tour since World War II.

His victory alongside Shane Lowry at the 2024 Zurich Classic bumped McIlroy into the group of a now-dozen golfers who have won at least 25 times on the PGA Tour with at least four major championships to their name. 

You know most of them by a single name.

This club is based on an arbitrary set of figures, of course, but it nevertheless helps push into focus that McIlroy is one of the best golfers in the history of the PGA Tour.

That would have been true had he and Lowry lost to Martin Trainer & Chad Ramey in their playoff at TPC Louisiana, but the numbers look nice, and this group of golfers -- as a contingent -- is unassailable.

McIlroy was awesome all week. He is often at his best when playing for something bigger than himself; the PGA Tour's honor and a Ryder Cup trophy come to mind. He also seems to thrive in team environments.

His relationship with longtime buddy Lowry was the primary focus as they hit up all the great New Orleans eateries and seemed to enjoy playing 72 (or 73) holes together as much as they enjoyed actually winning the tournament. This is the type of environment in which the No. 2 player in the world -- who often carried the team -- thrives.

"The reason that Shane and I both started to play golf is because we thought it was fun at some stage in our life,"said McIlroy, who was reminiscing on their friendship, which extends beyond the beginning of both of their professional careers. "I think sort of re-injecting a little bit of that fun back into it in a week like this week, it can always help."

The fun feeds the hunger, and the circle is contagious.

"But I think also to play the sort of golf we did coming down the stretch when there was a little bit of pressure, I think that'll stand to us, also," he added. "But yeah, I've always felt like I play my best golf when I'm enjoying myself, and hard to not enjoy yourself when you're out there walking the fairways with Shane."

The enjoyment continued in the aftermath of the win as McIlroy sang a karaoke rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" at a party marking a week that began with a boozy post-Ryder Cup lunch in which they decided to play this team event together. And then they went and won it.

This is not a drill. Rory McIlroy singing Don't Stop Believing pic.twitter.com/y5PkEDoqo4 — Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) April 28, 2024

Whether McIlroy can bottle that joy and use it to fuel his play for the rest of 2024 could greatly affect the future clubs he joins. This 25-4 club is special, no doubt, but it starts to get less crowded as players continue up that ladder.

Up next? There's the 30-5 club and the 40-6 club. Those rooms are sparse.

• 30 PGA Tour wins, five majors (10): Woods, Snead, Nicklaus, Hogan, Palmer, Nelson, Hagen, Mickelson, Watson, Sarazen
• 40 PGA Tour wins, six majors (7): Woods, Snead, Nicklaus, Hogan, Palmer, Hagen, Mickelson

McIlroy will turn 35 years old in a few weeks, and he wins about two PGA Tour events per year. Give him between five and eight more prime years, and it's not unreasonable to believe he can reach something close to 40 PGA Tour victories. The more pressing matter, of course, is the majors; he has not claimed one since 2014, though he's had 10 top-five finishes in that span.

The PGA Championship returns to Valahalla in three weeks, which is incidentally the site of McIlroy's last major in August 2014. A decade is a long time, but McIlroy has arguably played the best golf of his career over the last two years.

While that has not continued at the start of 2024, perhaps coming out of a win in which he was able to get out of his own head will fuel him over the latter two-thirds of the season.

That's the hope for somebody who, even if he never wins again on the PGA Tour, will go down as one of the best to ever do it. 

"Hopefully, we can both kick on now," Lowry said. "We've got three majors left. Hopefully, we can get one each or maybe two and one.

"That would be nice," McIlroy said.

"That's the plan for the rest of the summer," Lowry added.

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