Zayn Malik just blasted off on his first-ever solo tour, and opening night had fans levitating at the O2 Academy in Leeds, England. The setlist? Pure magic. The vibes? Emotional rollercoaster. The crowd? Screaming like they just saw Niall Horan buying milk at Tesco.
The Tour So Far:
Dubbed the Stairway To The Sky Tour (because apparently, walking down stairs is for peasants), Zayn strutted his stuff on stage, serenading fans with a mix of old and new hits. From “Pillowtalk” (the song that made everyone re-evaluate their throw pillows) to fresh tracks from his latest album, Room Under the Stairs, Zayn served vocals, emotions, and cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass.
A Heartfelt Tribute:
But let’s pause the jokes for a second—because the show had its heartfelt moments, too. Zayn closed the night with “Stardust” and a deeply emotional tribute to his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, who tragically passed away in October. A touching montage of Liam lit up the screen behind him, leaving the audience misty-eyed and reaching for tissues (or in true concert-goer fashion, their sleeves).
What’s Next for Zayn?
Zayn isn’t slowing down anytime soon. After charming Leeds, he’s heading to Manchester on Sunday before zig-zagging across the UK. And come January 2025, the Stairway to the Sky Tour will hit the U.S. Zayn delayed the American leg of the tour after Liam’s passing, but fans are already buzzing like caffeinated hummingbirds over his stateside return.
A Reunion Nobody Expected:
In a bittersweet turn of events, Zayn, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan reunited this week to attend Liam’s funeral. While the circumstances were heartbreaking, the boys’ presence reminded fans of the unbreakable bond between the members of One Direction—a bond stronger than Simon Cowell’s love for a high-waisted trouser.
Setlist Highlights:
For those who like to plan their fake concert playlists in advance, here’s a sneak peek at what Zayn performed (thanks, setlist.fm!). Spoiler: it’s all bangers.
So, if you’re lucky enough to snag tickets to this tour, get ready to cry, scream, and potentially lose your voice while Zayn takes you on a musical journey through heartbreak, healing, and some undeniably good hair days.
1. My Woman
2. Birds on a Cloud
3. Dreamin
4. Lied To
5. In the Bag
6. Ignorance Ain’t Bliss
7. Scripted
8. Sweat
9. Borderz
10. It’s You
11. Shoot at Will
12. Last Request
13. Pillowtalk
14. Concrete Kisses
15. What I Am
16. ALienated
17. Gates of Hell
18. Stardust