On Friday in Wolverhampton, Zayn Malik gave an homage to Liam Payne, stating he "hopes" the late star attends his concert.
According to the DailyMail, the 31-year-old singer began his Stairway To The Sky tour last week at Leeds' O2 Academy with a blue screen sign reading "Liam Payne 1993-2024. Pink-heartedly love you bro."
During the trip, he did not seem to mention Liam, who died at 31 in Argentina last month.
Per CNN, Zayn addressed the University of Wolverhampton's The Halls venue: "I've been performing something every night at the conclusion of the concert, dedicated to my brother Liam. Rest in peace. I hope you're seeing this, we're in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam."
Zayn delayed his tour's Edinburgh opening gigs owing to Liam's funeral, which Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan attended.
After falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Liam died of numerous injuries and "internal and external haemorrhage" on October 16.
Zayn stated he "never got to thank" Liam for helping him through his "most difficult" periods after his passing.
"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly," he said in a statement shared to Instagram. "I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated."
"I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you, bro," he added
Zayn postponed his Stairway To The Sky US tour due to Liam's "heartbreaking loss."
Argentine authorities are investigating Liam's killing and charging three people.
Zayn donned one of Liam's diamond chain necklaces to his debut sold-out London gig on Tuesday. The musician wore the jewelry during the star's burial last week and kept her in his thoughts during the tour.
Zayn asked supporters for patience, saying, "Thank you for waiting. I know I took a while, but we are here." He looked back at home on the Eventim Apollo stage. Returning to London for his first sold-out gig, Zayn thanked fans for "waiting for him" and paid respect to Liam.
Social media responded fervently to Zayn's tribute, highlighting the profound connection between the two artists and the immense sorrow experienced by their followers.
"Zayn's tribute to Liam in Wolverhampton broke me. You can feel the love and loss," a fan said.
"Hometown tribute for Liam Payne was a tearjerker. Zayn Malik showed real class and emotion tonight," another wrote.
"Liam would have been proud of Zayn. That speech was heartbreaking and beautiful," a third fan said.
"Zayn's necklace tribute to Liam is such a small but meaningful gesture. We love you, Zayn," a fourth fan quipped.
"The Wolverhampton crowd was silent during Zayn's speech for Liam. A truly emotional moment," another netizen wrote.
"Zayn's concerts are now more than music; they're tributes to a brotherhood that shaped a generation," a fan said.
Business Times has reached out to Zayn Malik for comments.
