Remembering Liam Payne and One Direction's triumphant Phoenix concert

As fans around the world respond to the devastating news that Liam Payne has died at 31 , here’s a look back at happier times when One Direction was the hottest boy band on the planet, thrilling fans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, back when it was still called University of Phoenix Stadium.

The first time One Direction played metro Phoenix, it was mid-2012 and the U.K. sensations were on the rise with a headlining set at Comerica Theatre (now Arizona Financial Theatre) in support of a chart-topping album, "Up All Night," and two hit singles in the States, "What Makes You Beautiful" and "One Thing."

Two years later, Payne joined bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik on stage in Glendale for a sold-out concert at a stadium that wasn’t hosting many concerts at the time, playing to an audience for whom the term "predominantly female" would’ve been the understatement of the year.

When One Direction and Liam Payne headlined a Phoenix stadium

It was Sept. 16, 2014.

One young Directioner, Sydnee Toney, who flew in from Washington state to see the concert with her sister, summed it up before the show when asked what made her such a fan: "Honestly? Probably their looks. They're so adorable."

Then, after the slightest of pauses, Toney added, "And their music."

The group’s appeal extended well beyond those pinup-worthy looks that kept the air inside the stadium filled with screams for nearly the duration of their set (although it should be noted that the girl behind me responded to being that close to the action by sobbing, not screaming).

All five singers knew exactly how to work that crowd, interacting with individual fans, singing "Happy Birthday" to one lucky fan and constantly reminding everyone how much they owed their good fortune to the people inside that very stadium — all with the added charm of British accents.

They also brought along a huge production, with fireworks, video monitors, lasers, explosions of streamers, a platform that elevated all five members high above the stage and a catwalk stretching well into the audience, which brought them even closer to their fans.

One Direction sang 'What Makes You Beautiful' that night

As Sydnee Toney said, their music — instantly engaging pop hooks that inspired massive singalongs, from the arena-rocking "Pour Some Sugar on Me" crunch of "Midnight Memories," the opening song, to the understated, acoustic-guitar-fueled power-balladry of "You & I," a newer hit they held back for the encore.

They made their way through all the hits before the night was through and closed the set, as you'd imagine, with their breakthrough hit, "What Makes You Beautiful," which emerged as a triumphant singalong and ended with the singers disappearing in a flash from the stage.

One Direction returned for a generous encore of "You & I," "Story of My Life," "Little White Lies" and a fireworks-laden finale of the raucous "Best Song Ever," which had to have sent all those happy Directioners on their way home thinking, "More like 'Best Night Ever.'"

Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Remembering Liam Payne and One Direction's triumphant Phoenix concert