Zayn Malik has been actively engaged in his solo music career, marked by the release of his fourth studio album, “Room Under the Stairs,” on May 17, 2024. This album, featuring 15 tracks including singles “What I Am,” “Alienated,” and “Stardust,” showcases a departure towards a sound incorporating country, soul, and soft rock influences. Zayn co-produced the album with Dave Cobb, alongside other notable producers. A deluxe edition, titled “Room Under the Stairs (Z Sides),” followed later, adding four more tracks to the collection.
To support “Room Under the Stairs,” Zayn embarked on his first solo tour, aptly named the “Stairway to the Sky Tour.” The tour commenced in Europe in November 2024 before heading to North America in January 2025. The setlist featured tracks from his new album, as well as fan favorites from his previous releases. Notably, during his concert in Mexico City on March 25, 2025, Zayn surprised fans by performing One Direction’s hit song “Night Changes” for the first time in a decade, a moment that resonated deeply with the audience and went viral online. This performance, which occurred on the 10th anniversary of his departure from the band and shortly after the tragic death of his former bandmate Liam Payne, was particularly emotional for both Zayn and his fans. He reportedly told the crowd it was the first time he had sung the song in ten years and admitted he almost cried.
However, the Latin American leg of the “Stairway to the Sky Tour” faced an unfortunate setback. Just hours before his scheduled performance at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Friday, March 28, 2025, Zayn announced the cancellation of the show due to severe food poisoning affecting him and several members of his crew. He conveyed his heartbreak and sincere apologies to his Mexican fans on social media, expressing his disappointment at missing the opportunity to connect with them. Despite the setback, Zayn later updated fans, reiterating his love for Mexico and expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support he had received throughout the tour, which he described as making him feel “alive, happy, grateful and at home.” The cancellation served as an unfortunate reminder of the unpredictable nature of touring and the impact unforeseen health issues can have on both artists and their dedicated fanbase.