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Concerts

Shawn Mendes Pays Emotional Tribute to Liam Payne at Brooklyn Concert: ‘The World Is Crying for You’

The singer-songwriter dedicated his new song "Heart of Gold" to the late One Direction band member, who died Wednesday (Oct. 16) at age 31.

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes

Anthony Wilson

Shawn Mendes paid tribute to Liam Payne at his show Friday night (Oct. 18) at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater.

Speaking from the stage, an emotional Mendes told the crowd he had met Payne “a couple of times” and described his impressions of the late One Direction member, who died at age 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday night (Oct. 16).


“I got to meet Liam a couple of times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes gleamed, it was beautiful,” Mendes began. “It’s about grieving those we miss with tears and it’s also about celebrating them and who they were and what they left in this world and I just want to take a second to send so much love to him wherever he is up there. Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family. I miss you. This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”

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Following his comments, Mendes launched into “Heart of Gold,” a yet-to-be-released song he has performed live previously.

“You had a heart of gold/You left too soon, it was out of your control/Underneath your skin and bone/You had a heart of gold,” Mendes sings in the chorus.

You can watch video of the moment here.

In the wake of Payne’s untimely death, a number of celebrities have paid tribute to the singer, with his four One Direction bandmates releasing a joint statement on Thursday (Oct. 17) saying they are “completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.” All four also released individual statements mourning their late collaborator. And on Friday, X Factor creator Simon Cowell — who gave Payne his start by placing him in One Direction in 2010 — said he was “devastated” and “heartbroken” over the loss.

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This article first appeared on Billboard U.S.

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Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Chart Beat

Les Cowboys Fringants Debut ‘Merci ben!’ on the Billboard Canada AC Airplay Chart

The track from the Quebec band enters at No. 30 over a year after its release, picking up steam on the radio airwaves. Ariane Moffatt's “Jouer” also reaches a new peak, marking the second consecutive week with two charting French songs.

French-language music makes its mark on the Canadian charts this week.

Les Cowboys Fringants have made their latest Billboard debut with their song “Merci ben!” which arrives at No. 30 on the Canada AC chart for May 10. The country-folk track finds the band thanking its fans while reminiscing on its beginnings and milestones, from playing small bars to sold-out arenas. The track’s title is Quebec jargon for “Thank you very much!”

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