In more ways than one, Zayn Malik’s most recent performance was a significant milestone in his career.
The event, which took place on Friday, May 17, at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, was not only the singer’s first-ever headlining solo show, but it was also his first concert since he departed One Direction in 2015. The concert was completely sold out.
Malik, who is 31 years old, hit the stage at the venue in West London to play songs from his most recent album, Room Under the Stairs, for the very first time for his fans. He described the evening as “unforgettable” in an Instagram post after the performance.
In the video that was filmed by fans during the historic performance, Malik also said to the energizing audience, “I missed this.” Furthermore, in a clip that he personally posted, he expressed his gratitude to his followers for “all of the love and support over the years,” as well as for their patience, acknowledging that he is aware that it “took a while.”
During the show, he said, “This is going to be an exciting night.” To each and every one of you, I am really thankful, and I wish you all a wonderful evening.
After going solo for the first time more than nine years ago, Malik has produced a number of solo projects and topped the charts with singles such as “PILLOWTALK” and “Dusk Till Dawn,” but he has avoided performing live.
Despite the fact that they are uncommon, the artist has performed live on occasion (including a set at Wango Tango in May 2016, a performance on The Voice a few days later, and a recently revealed version of a new tune called “What I Am”), but up until now, they have not given headline concerts.
After he initially went solo in 2015, leaving One Direction in the hands of bandmates Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, the musician had planned to perform live at a number of events (including a charity concert appearance in Dubai and, most notably, a set at Summertime Ball 2016), but he ultimately decided not to go through with them, citing social anxiety as the reason.
“Unfortunately, anxiety, which has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me,” Malik said in an official statement following the announcement of his withdrawal from Summertime Ball. He went on to say that “with the magnitude of the event, I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career.”
I want to be honest with everyone who has patiently waited to meet me, but I cannot apologize enough for the inconvenience this has caused. He went on to say, “I promise that I will do everything in my power to make amends to everyone that I have disappointed today.” It is my goal that individuals who do not suffer from anxiety will be able to sympathize with my condition. I am certain that those who do suffer from anxiety will understand.
During the course of writing his book Zayn, Malik expressed his feelings by stating that he “couldn’t function.” Of his issues with anxiety, he said, “I found it really frustrating that, even now that I was being upfront about what the issue was, some people still found reasons to doubt it.” He was referring to the fact that he was being honest about the problem. “However, that is the profession.”
In addition, Malik noted that his anxiety was easier to control during his time with the boy band One Direction. He wrote, “When I was in One Direction, my anxiety issues were huge but, within the safety net of the band, they were at least manageable.” This reference was included in the biography that was published in 2016.
“I felt much more exposed as a solo performer, and the psychological stress of performing had just gotten to be too much for me to handle — at least at that moment,” he continued. “It was at that moment that I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
Malik said that he was “still nervous” to go back onstage in a more recent episode of the podcast Call Her Daddy, in which he examined his connection with live performances. “I feel like I have something to give, and I want to get onstage and be there again and feel that,” Malik stated in the episode that aired in July 2023. “That is one thing I can say, my fan base has always been supportive in that manner,” the speaker said.
They always say something along the lines of, ‘We’re here, we’ve got you. When asked about his followers, he said, “I feel that love for sure. It’s like, when you’re ready, we’ve got you.” These individuals are going to be shown wrong by me.
Room Under the Stairs was released by Mercury Records on May 17th, and it was released by Malik.