Harry Styles honours Dolly Parton at revamped MSG opener
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Harry Styles opened his 30-show Madison Square Garden residency with a substantially revised set, departing from the largely unchanged programme used on his “Together, Together” tour. He also paid tribute to Dolly Parton following the announcement of her death, thanking her as an influence before a recording of “I Will Always Love You” was played. The changes gave the opening night an unpredictable atmosphere and highlighted the significance of Styles’ extended run at the New York venue.
The concert began with “Dance No More” rather than the usual opener and included rarely performed songs such as “Carolina”, played live for the first time since Styles’ first solo tour. “The Waiting Game” received only its second live performance, while “Kiwi” returned after three years, prompting a particularly strong crowd reaction. Styles also recalled playing Madison Square Garden with One Direction aged 18; the residency runs until the Halloween-themed “Harryween” show on 31 October before the tour continues to Australia.
- Styles debuted a heavily reworked MSG set.
- He honoured Dolly Parton during the concert.
- The residency comprises 30 sold-out New York shows.
New here? Start with this
Harry Styles is a British singer who first became known as a member of the boy band One Direction. Since the group went on hiatus in 2016, he has built a solo career with pop and rock-influenced albums, alongside acting roles.
Madison Square Garden is a major New York arena where musicians often stage high-profile concerts and extended runs of shows. Styles has performed there before with One Direction, making the venue a significant part of his career.
Dolly Parton was an American singer, songwriter and actor whose work spanned country music and popular culture for decades. Her song “I Will Always Love You”, later widely recorded by Whitney Houston, is among her best-known compositions.
Full account
Harry Styles opened his 30-night Madison Square Garden residency in New York on Wednesday with a noticeably altered version of his Together, Together tour, while also marking the reported death of Dolly Parton. Near the end of the sold-out concert, Styles thanked artists who had influenced him and singled out Parton, telling the audience that she was loved before pausing the show.
Parton’s recording of “I Will Always Love You” was then played through the arena. One report described the crowd illuminating the venue with mobile phones, singing and swaying during the tribute. The song was written and first recorded by Parton, and later became a major international hit in Whitney Houston’s version for The Bodyguard.
The concert also represented a reset for Styles’ established touring format. He began with “Dance No More” rather than the previous opener, “Are You Listening Yet?”, and brought “Carolina” back to the stage for the first time since his earliest solo tour. Songs were moved to different points in the show, some older material received fresh arrangements, and “The Waiting Game” was performed live publicly for the first time.
Styles also reflected on his history with the arena, recalling his first appearance there with One Direction at 18 and a staff member’s memory that he had kissed the floor on arrival. The New York dates follow runs in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo and Mexico City; after the residency, the tour is due to continue in Australia.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 concentrates on the concert review: the extensively revised setlist, returning songs, debut performance and Styles’ personal Madison Square Garden anecdote. Source 2 focuses more closely on the Parton memorial, describing the audience reaction and providing background on “I Will Always Love You” and wider tributes following her reported death.
Source 1 calls the Parton moment brief and says the recording played for about a minute; Source 2 presents it as a fuller arena-wide singalong, without specifying a duration.
More coverage
- Rolling Stone — Harry Styles Honors Dolly Parton at Madison Square Garden Opening Night: ‘We Love You’
- Billboard — Harry Styles Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton at Madison Square Garden Opening Night
- Far Out — Harry Styles honours Dolly Parton at opening night of 30-date Madison Square Garden residency: Here’s his setlist in full
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Originally published by Variety as “Harry Styles Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton, Completely Revamps Setlist at Madison Square Garden Opening Night: Concert Review”.