After performing in Liam Payne's hometown Wolverhampton, British singer-songwriter Zayn Malik canceled a concert at Newcastle Town Hall at the last minute. The show, part of his 'Stairway to the Sky' UK tour, was scheduled for Tuesday, December 3. The sudden cancellation alarmed fans worldwide, who followed the news closely on social media.
"We apologize for the late notice, it was [Zayn's] hope that he would be able to continue with the show, but this is no longer possible," the ex One Direction member's team announced to the audience.
They also provided instructions for ticket holders and addressed teenage attendees specifically:
"Please contact your point of purchase for rescheduling or refunds. If you have parents or guardians collecting you, please stay in the auditorium and wait to be collected." organizers added.
Why was the concert canceled?
Zayn explained that the decision to cancel the concert was due to vocal strain, which left him unable to perform at the level required for such a show.
"I'm so sorry to do this but my voice just isn't there at all tonight and without it there's no show. I'm truly sorry to let you down, especially at such short notice... I held onto hope until the very last moment," he said.
"My deepest apologies Newcastle. I love you all xx."
Fans worldwide initially expressed concern for Zayn's health before rallying in support of him and those unable to attend the performance. Many defended him against criticism, with one fan on TikTok commenting: "If he performs poorly, they criticize him; if he cancels, they still criticize him. The best thing is for him to take care of himself."
However, not all attendees took the news well. Some were left disappointed, including two sisters who had traveled from Australia solely to attend the concert.
Zayn Malik's "Stairway to the Sky" tour
Zayn is currently touring cities like London, Manchester, Leeds, and Wolverhampton. The tour kicked off at Leeds' O2 Academy with a poignant tribute to his late friend:
"Liam Payne 1993–2024 Love you bro," read a message displayed on a blue screen.
In Wolverhampton, Malik dedicated part of his performance to Payne, saying:
"So I've been doing something at the end of the show every night and it's been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace. I hope you're seeing this. We're in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton. This is for you, Liam."
Liam Payne passed away on October 16 due to severe internal and external bleeding after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He had traveled to the country to attend a concert by Niall Horan, another former member of One Direction.
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