Zayn Malik is finally back on the road! Yes, you heard that right!
After years of anticipation, the enigmatic global pop & R&B sensation is embarking on his first-ever solo tour, Stairway to the Sky, nearly a decade after parting ways with One Direction. Fans of the enigmatic singer-songwriter have been desperately waiting for this announcement, and on September 18, 2024, Zayn Malik crashed The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to reveal the big news.
In classic Zayn Malik fashion, the 31-year-old musician made a surprise, silent appearance during Jimmy Fallon’s monologue, dressed in a tasteful black leather jacket, paired with a white tee & loose-fit black denims and carrying a coffee mug and note. After briefly greeting the audience, which instantly erupted in applause, he played his new single “Stardust” from his latest album, Room Under the Stairs, and left the note for Fallon to read.
Fallon then read the note aloud to an audience in a quasi-British accent, which announced the singer/songwriter’s tour. The quirky note revealed Malik’s exciting plans to embark on his Stairway to the Sky tour, which will kick off on October 23, 2024, in San Francisco. It read: “Hey Jimmy, great to see you, mate,” he began. “I’m going on my first-ever tour this autumn. So maybe when you’re done picking apples with your buds, you can come [to] check out my “Stairway to the Sky” tour across the U.S. and UK.”
Milestone Unlocked
Zayn Malik’s Stairway to the Sky tour marks his long-anticipated return to the stage and his first major solo tour since leaving One Direction in 2015. The tour supports his fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs (released May 2024 via Mercury Records), which ushers in a fresh chapter for Malik, featuring introspective lyrics with a mix of R&B, pop, country, and soulful ballads.
Despite releasing multiple chart-topping albums like Mind of Mine, Icarus Falls, and Nobody is Listening, along with several platinum-certified singles “Pillow Talk” and “Dusk Till Dawn,” Malik largely stayed out of the spotlight due to his ongoing battle with anxiety, which kept him from touring for nearly a decade. Though rare, the musician has done occasional live performances (including a set at Wango Tango in May 2016, a performance on The Voice days later and a recently shared rendition of a new track, “What I Am”) but no headlining concerts — until now.
Fans got a preview of the forthcoming tour earlier this year when Zayn headlined his first solo concert at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, performing songs from his latest album for the first time. The sold-out night was both a comeback and a personal milestone for Malik, who described the experience as “unforgettable” in an Instagram post. Reflecting on the sold-out night, he expressed his deep gratitude to his fans, saying, “I missed this,” and thanked them for their love and support over the years. “I’m very grateful to you all, and I hope you have a great night.”
Overcoming Stage Anxiety
There’s no doubt that Zayn Malik’s fans (aka Zquad) are overjoyed at the chance to see the artist live after eight years, and we’re all crossing our fingers for tickets, knowing they’ll sell out in a heartbeat. While his return to the stage is exciting, it’s been no secret that the artist has faced immense struggles with stage anxiety over the years. After leaving One Direction, he candidly shared the challenges of performing live solo. In 2016, he cancelled several shows, including a highly anticipated Summertime Ball appearance, citing crippling anxiety.
In an emotional statement announcing his withdrawal, he explained that the pressure of performing solo had taken a toll on him! “Unfortunately, anxiety, which has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has got the better of me,” adding that “with the magnitude of the event, I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career.” “I cannot apologize enough, but I want to be honest with everyone who [has] patiently waited to see me. I promise I will do my best to make this up to everybody I’ve let down today,” he continued.
“I know those who suffer from anxiety will understand, and I hope those who don’t can empathize with my situation.” Reflecting on the situation in his book Zayn, Malik said he “couldn’t function.” “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 said of his struggles with anxiety. “But that’s the industry.”
Tour Dates: ‘Stairway to the Sky’
The “intimate 11-city tour” will hit cities throughout the U.S. and U.K. this fall, kicking off on October 23 in San Francisco, travelling across North America and making stops in Las Vegas and Washington before wrapping the U.S. leg on November 2 in New York City. On November 30, Malik will head to the U.K. for a show in Edinburgh, with stops in Manchester, Leeds, London and more before concluding it in December in Newcastle.
Don’t miss your chance to see him live—find out if he’s coming to a city near you!
- October 23, 2024 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
- October 25, 2024 – Las Vegas, NV – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- October 27, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine Expo Hall
- October 30, 2024 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
- November 2, 2024 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
- November 20, 2024 – Edinburgh, UK – O2 Academy
- November 23, 2024 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
- November 24, 2024 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo
- November 26, 2024 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
- November 29, 2024 – Wolverhampton, UK – Wolverhampton The Halls
- December 3, 2024 – Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall
Fans can get their hands on presale tickets for the Stairway to the Sky tour starting Thursday, September 19, with additional presales running throughout the week. The general sale will begin on Saturday, September 21, at 11 a.m. local time via inzayn.com.
The Countdown Begins
As Zayn Malik prepares to take his Stairway to the Sky tour across the U.S. and U.K., fans can’t wait to witness the magic of his live performances. With his distinct musical style, a brand-new album, and an exciting list of intimate venues, he is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to snag tickets.
If his recent shows are any indication, the Stairway to the Sky tour will be a defining moment in Zayn Malik’s career—a celebration of his evolution as an artist and a long-awaited return to the stage. Get ready for a night of soulful music, heartfelt lyrics, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.