(Web Desk) - At the London gig, Malik — who exited the boyband in 2015 — thanked his fans for waiting, admitting that he knows it "took a while".
Zayn Malik’s latest gig was a milestone performance in more ways than one.
The sold-out concert, held on Friday, May 17, at London’s Shepherd's Bush Empire, was not only the singer’s first-ever headlining solo gig, but also his first concert since he left One Direction in 2015.
Malik, 31, took the stage at the West London venue to perform songs from his latest album, Room Under the Stairs, for the first time for fans in a night he dubbed “unforgettable” in an Instagram post.
In fan-captured footage of the milestone show, Malik also told the electric crowd, “I missed this.” And, in a snippet he shared himself, he also thanked his fans for “all of the love and support over the years,” and for waiting — admitting that he knows it “took a while.”
“This is an exciting night,” he said at the concert. “I’m very grateful to you all, and I hope you have a great night."
Since going solo more than nine years ago, Malik has released several solo projects and topped the charts with hits including “PILLOWTALK” and “Dusk Till Dawn,” but has steered clear of the stage.