'Love you bro'—Zayn Malik honors Liam Payne at Leeds concert
What's the story
Former One Direction member Zayn Malik kicked off his Stairway to the Sky tour on November 23 in Leeds.
The tour will promote his fourth studio album Room Under the Stairs and comprises 18 shows across the UK and US.
This was Malik's first performance since the tragic death of his ex-bandmate Liam Payne on October 16.
Emotional homage
Malik's tribute to Payne during Leeds performance
During the Leeds show, Malik paid a heartwarming tribute to Payne.
After singing his second-last song, Stardust, a message appeared on the screen that said: "Liam Payne 1993-2024," against a blue background with a red heart.
It was followed by the words, "Love you bro."
The tribute came days after Malik attended Payne's funeral with his former bandmates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson.
Twitter Post
Here's Malik's heartfelt tribute
Zayn Malik's tribute to Liam Payne at his concert in Leeds tonight. 🤍🕊️ pic.twitter.com/6M2ft26rsx
— Remembering Liam Payne (@updatingljp) November 23, 2024
Tour adjustments
Malik's tour rescheduled following Payne's death
Malik had to push the US leg of his tour in October after Payne's death, which he called a "heartbreaking loss."
His Edinburgh concerts were also pushed from their original dates, which coincided with Payne's funeral, to December.
Although he never publicly stated the reason for the changes, Malik was seen at the funeral with Horan, Styles, and Tomlinson.
Payne (31) passed away in a tragic hotel fall in Argentina.