S Poddar
Zayn Malik performed an emotional and memorable set at his sold-out London show on Tuesday night. The 31-year-old singer made a touching gesture to his late band member, Liam Payne, when he wore one of Liam’s diamond chain necklaces that he had previously worn at Liam’s funeral a week earlier.
At the Eventim Apollo, Zayn seemed perfectly at ease in his element, thanking fans for their waiting game while he was out of the scene. The words he spoke were raw and uplifting as he communicated with the audience. “Thank you for waiting,” he said. “I know I took a while, but we are here.
Welcoming the excited crowd with great enthusiasm, he took a stride with energy, speaking up: “Yooooo! What’s popping? What’s going on in London? I’m not fking kidding you. F*g feels great being here. Thanks for holding out. I know it’s been a while, and we’re here now so tonight, I want all you guys to have your fantastic night—just rock it out, sing back, scream.”
Zayn encouraged the crowd to embrace the moment, saying, “If people have told you to be quiet online, pay them no mind at all. We are here tonight, we’re having a good time. Have a drink, have a laugh—let’s enjoy ourselves, yeah?”
This was part of Zayn’s Stairway to the Sky tour, which kicked off on rather bitter-sweet terms. Two dates of the tour were canceled after Liam’s death, and so Tuesday’s performance felt emotional and special in every sense.
The evening’s set ended with a poignant visual tribute: a backdrop reading, “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro,” and a red heart. It was a beautiful gesture that really spoke to the depth of the bond Zayn shared with his late bandmate.
At one point in the show, Zayn showed his concern for his fans’ safety by speaking out to the crowd when those at the front seemed overwhelmed by the pushing from the back. “If you’re at the back, try not to push because people at the front are getting a little bit squished,” he urged. “We’re all here to have a good time. I’m not going anywhere. Just try not to hurt anybody. Let’s have a good time tonight.”
This is Zayn’s first tour as an independent artist, and so far, every show has been sold out after it’s announced. He will perform at Wolverhampton, Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle before leaving for the United States.
The London performance came after his earlier return to the stage in May, where he performed his first show in nine years at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Tuesday’s concert marked a triumphant homecoming for the Pillowtalk singer, who showcased his evolution as an artist and his ability to connect deeply with his audience.
Fans left the Eventim Apollo moved by Zayn’s emotional tribute, his gratitude, and his determination to make it a night to remember. The singer’s heartfelt messages and stellar performance underscored not only his resilience but also his enduring bond with his supporters and his late bandmate.
