Zayn Malik impresses fans in first-ever solo concert since leaving One Direction in 2015

Zayn Malik's latest performance marked a significant milestone in his career. On Friday, May 17, the singer held his first-ever headlining solo concert at London’s Shepherd's Bush Empire, a venue packed with enthusiastic fans eager to see him perform live for the first time since his departure from One Direction in 2015.

Malik, 31, graced the stage of the West London venue to debut songs from his latest album, Room Under the Stairs. In an Instagram post after the show, he described the night as “unforgettable.” 

The concert was not just a musical event but also a personal victory for Malik, who has been open about his struggles with anxiety. In fan-captured footage, he expressed his gratitude, telling the crowd, “I missed this.” He also shared a snippet on his own social media, thanking fans for their unwavering support and patience, admitting that he knows it “took a while.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn)

“This is an exciting night,” Malik said during the concert. “I’m very grateful to you all, and I hope you have a great night."

Despite releasing several successful solo projects since 2015, including chart-toppers like “PILLOWTALK” and “Dusk Till Dawn,” Malik had largely avoided the stage due to his anxiety. Although he did make occasional live appearances, such as at Wango Tango in May 2016 and a performance on *The Voice*, he had not headlined a concert until now.

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Malik's journey since leaving One Direction has been marked by both musical success and personal challenges. After parting ways with the band, leaving his bandmates Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, Malik had planned several live performances, including a charity concert in Dubai and a set at Summertime Ball 2016. However, he withdrew from these events, citing severe social anxiety. In a heartfelt statement at the time, Malik apologised to his fans, explaining, “Unfortunately, anxiety, which has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has got the better of me.”

In his 2016 biography, Zayn, Malik reflected on these struggles, noting that while his anxiety was significant during his time in One Direction, it was somewhat manageable within the safety net of the band. As a solo performer, however, the stress became overwhelming. "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 wrote. "But that’s the industry."

Malik’s new album, Room Under the Stairs, was released on the same day as his milestone concert, May 17, via Mercury Records.