“They truly were brothers”—Fans emotional as Zayn Malik pays tribute to Liam Payne at his concert in Leeds
Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member, paid an emotional tribute to his late bandmate Liam Payne during the opening night of his Stairway to the Sky tour on November 23, 2024. Performing at the O2 Academy in Leeds, this marked Malik's return to the stage following Payne's death on October 16 at the age of 31.
Malik honored Payne with a poignant message displayed on stage, reading: "Liam Payne 1993-2024 Love you bro," set against a serene blue backdrop with a red heart.
The moment unfolded during Malik's performance of Stardust, an emotional track that played as the tribute was displayed. Fans reacted to the singer's gesture for Liam Payne and expressed their emotions on social media.
"They truly were brothers," one fan commented.
"Such a lovely tribute! I can't imagine how he's feeling right now. He has known Liam since 2008," another fan commented.
"This is such a bittersweet sight, i bet liam would've appreciated it," a fan said.
Many netizens felt that Malik's performance was as much for the fans as it was for Liam Payne.
"This is so wholesome but sad at the same time," a netizen said.
"I can't even imagine what he felt at that moment," a fan wrote.
"Their brotherly bond was and will remain strong and firm," a fan tweeted.
Zayn Malik's resilient return: Overcoming anxiety and honoring Liam Payne
As reported by BBC, Zayn Malik struggled with performance anxiety since his departure from One Direction. He had been reluctant to tour, often citing mental health concerns.
The Stairway to the Sky tour, promoting his album Room Under the Stairs, marked his first major tour as a solo artist. Originally slated to begin in October, the tour was delayed following Liam Payne's death, who passed away on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel.
Malik acknowledged the heartbreaking loss in an Instagram story, announcing the postponement of several U.S. shows.
After the delay, the Stairway to the Sky tour finally kicked off on November 20, 2024, in Edinburgh, UK. It will continue through December, covering various cities in the UK such as Leeds, Manchester, London, Wolverhampton, and Newcastle.
Tickets for the tour went on sale in September, with presales offering fans early access. Though the complete setlist hasn't been revealed yet, fans can expect performances of tracks from Room Under the Stairs, alongside hits from his earlier solo work. The tour has been widely anticipated and represents a significant milestone in Zayn Malik's career.
The tour is set to run through February 2025. With concerts planned across the UK and US, fans are looking forward to a deeply personal musical experience.
