Watch Zayn Malik’s First Solo Concert at Album Release Party
Zayn Malik stopped by the iHeartRadio Theater in NYC on Friday night to celebrate the release of his new album Mind of Mine. The LP is his first as a solo artist since leaving One Direction.
Sporting a leather jacket, Malik’s iHeartRadio gig was the first live set he has delivered as a solo artist; Malik had previously staged a series of single song performances for The Tonight Show. Friday’s concert gave a glimpse at his band, which came complete with a trio of soulful, female back-up singers. The stage was flanked with moody lighting and imagery with each song, including an abstract black-and-white print on the screens behind him that matched his leather jacket.
The party was hosted in the small theater to a limited number of fans and streamed live online. Though early announcements for the show promised live performances as well as an on-stage Q&A with radio host Elvis Duran, the event itself lasted around 30 minutes with the singer belting his songs “Truth,” “Like I Would” and “It’s You” before chatting with host Maxwell briefly and leaving the stage. For the rest of the time, the host introduced various cuts of the album that played over the speakers.
Around 40 fans had spent 20 hours outside waiting for the show to begin and left disappointed and enraged at the short set. Many lingered after the show’s confusing end to see if the iHeartRadio staff could provide answers. No statement has been released on why the segment with Duran was cut from the appearance or if it was originally intended for Malik to perform more songs.
“Like I Would”
“It’s You”
Conversation With Maxwell