Watching Zayn Malik perform tonight, it’s hard to picture him in One Direction, a band whose lively performances once filled stadiums all over the world. Of course, Malik was always the shy one, so much so that he eventually quit the group in order “to be a normal 22-year-old”. He ventured out as a solo artist and secured a blockbuster hit with Pillowtalk, but then seemed reluctant to keep chasing commercial success. He was likewise hesitant to tour: he cancelled early appearances, citing anxiety and a lack of confidence, and for a time it looked as if he may never perform live again.
That clearly has changed. After initially postponing the US leg of his tour following the death of former bandmate Liam Payne – whom Malik pays tribute to at the end of the show with a projection that reads “love you bro” – the fans tonight seem delighted he’s back on stage. The sound of screaming feels like it could shatter bone, and doesn’t relent as he launches into a run of songs from his latest album, the bluesy Room Under the Stairs.
