ZAYN Begins First Solo Tour "Stairway To The Sky" Tour in Leeds: My Thoughts

Following the release of the album highly anticipated by fans ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, Zayn Malik, a.k.a ZAYN, announced his first-ever solo tour to begin October 25th of this year. However, with the untimely passing of former bandmate Liam Payne, his tour was postponed until November 23rd, just days after Payne's funeral, when he played the first show at the O2 Academy in Leeds. Although he's no stranger to the stage, fans picked up on a shy and somber air about him as he debuted his album in a live setting.

UK Setlist:

Intro My Woman

Birds On A Cloud

Dreamin'

Lied To

In The Bag

Ignorance Ain't Bliss

Scripted

Sweat

Borderz

It's You Shoot at Will

Last Request

Pillow Talk

Concrete Kisses

What I Am

Alienated

Gates of Hell

Playoff

It doesn't come as a big surprise that he's stepped into a more introverted stage presence, as he wasn't a flamboyant or showy performer in One Direction either. As the tour progresses, he will likely find his groove and discover what kind of presence works for him alone. He lets his vocals take center stage above all else, which, in songs as melodically complex as his, is a great place for them. As a long-time fan of Zayn, I'm disappointed he isn't bringing it to Chicago this time around but I look forward to watching clips and videos of the set online. I thought he sounded great kicking off the UK leg, and it's exciting that "Pillow Talk," released 8 years ago and among his first-ever solo releases, was played live for the first time.