Harry Styles Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton, Completely Revamps Setlist at Madison Square Garden Opening Night: Concert Review

Harry Styles has never been one to rest on his laurels, and his historic run at New York’s Madison Square Garden proved that point emphatically on Wednesday night. For the opening show of his unprecedented 30-concert residency at the iconic venue—often dubbed the world’s most famous arena—the former One Direction star tossed aside the familiar script that had carried him through 33 prior performances on his “Together, Together” tour. Instead of relying on the same rotation of hits that had delighted fans since the trek kicked off in Amsterdam nearly three months ago, Styles delivered a radically reimagined setlist, reshuffling song orders, breathing new life into older tracks, and unveiling a never-before-heard live performance.

The evening carried an extra layer of emotional weight, as Styles took a brief but heartfelt pause to honor the late Dolly Parton, whose passing had been announced just a day earlier. Parton, a country music legend whose career spanned over six decades and whose philanthropic work earned her widespread admiration, was clearly on the artist’s mind. “I just wanna give a proper thank you to all the musicians who have inspired me over the years—Dolly, we love you. Thank you so much,” Styles told the roaring crowd, before the arena’s speakers filled with Parton’s iconic recording of “I Will Always Love You.” The song, which she originally wrote and performed in 1974, later became a global phenomenon when Whitney Houston covered it for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” cementing its place in pop culture history. The tribute lasted barely a minute, but its impact lingered throughout the night.

From the very first notes, it was clear this would be no ordinary show. Styles kicked things off with “Dance No More,” a track that had never served as an opener before, replacing the usual “Are You Listening Yet?” He followed with “Carolina,” a deep cut from his 2017 solo debut album that hadn’t graced a live stage since his earliest solo tour dates. The setlist continued to defy expectations, with songs that once closed the show appearing early in the evening and vice versa. Midway through, fans were treated to the live debut of “The Waiting Game,” a standout from his latest album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” The choice underscored Styles’ willingness to take creative risks, even when playing to a venue that holds nearly 20,000 people.

Early in the performance, Styles shared a deeply personal anecdote that brought the night full circle. “I was told a story when I got here today,” he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Referencing his first-ever performance at Madison Square Garden as an 18-year-old member of One Direction in 2012, he recounted a conversation with a longtime venue staffer who had been present that day. “He shared with me that when I got out of the car that day, I kissed the floor and said, ‘I’ve made it to Madison Square Garden!’” The admission drew thunderous applause from the audience, many of whom had likely followed his journey from boy band heartthrob to solo superstar. Madison Square Garden, which has hosted everything from historic boxing matches to legendary concerts by artists like Elvis Presley and Billy Joel, has long been a benchmark of success for musicians—and for Styles, this residency marks a career-defining achievement.

The complete setlist for the night included a mix of fan favorites and surprises: “Dance No More,” “Carolina,” “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” “Cinema,” “Adore You,” “Watermelon Sugar,” “Taste Back,” “Sweet Creature,” “The Waiting Game,” “Satellite,” “Are You Listening Yet?,” “Ready, Steady, Go!,” “Pop,” “Season 2 Weight Loss,” “Kiwi,” “American Girls,” “As It Was,” “Carla’s Song,” and “Coming Up Roses.” The encore featured the Dolly Parton tribute followed by “Sign of the Times” and “Aperture.” As the residency stretches on, fans can only speculate what other surprises Styles has in store. Additional reporting contributed by Jem Aswad.