One Direction’s Hong Kong gig recalled as Liam Payne’s death shocks world

‘Mass hysteria’ was Hong Kong fans’ reaction during One Direction’s first and only gig in the city in 2015 on their On The Road Again Tour

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Liam Payne of One Direction performs in Hong Kong during One Direction’s “On The Road Again Tour” in at AsiaWorld-Expo on March 18, 2015. The boy band member’s death at age 31 has sent shockwaves across the world. Photo: Live Nation Lushington

Published: 11:04am, 17 Oct 2024Updated: 11:46am, 17 Oct 2024

Fans of One Direction – the boy band that took the world by storm after forming in 2010 – are in shock following news that one of its founding members, Liam Payne, has died aged just 31.

Payne was found dead outside a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room, according to reports.

News of Payne’s death sparked a mass outpouring of messages on social media from fans and celebrities around the globe.

On March 18, 2015, One Direction played their first and only gig in Hong Kong as part of their On The Road Again Tour, which included stops in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. The reception in the city was one of “mass hysteria”, according to a Post review of the show.

One Direction Hong Kong On The Road Again Tour 2015 Little things

“Mass hysteria as Hong Kong’s One Direction fans go wild for Styles and Co”, read the headline.

“That’s the only way to describe the madness of One Direction’s Wednesday night performance at AsiaWorld-Expo. And from a frighteningly young audience too: preteens made up the majority of the smitten crowd,” the review said.