Zayn Performs ‘Night Changes’ Live for First Time in 10 Years — And There Were Tears

With the sadness that’s taken over the Directioner fandom over the last few months, Zayn knew 1D’s fans deserved a sweet surprise. During his show in Mexico City Tuesday night, Zayn performed a rendition of One Direction‘s “Night Changes” for the first time in 10 years — coincidentally, on the anniversary of his departure from the group.

During the performance, Zayn — wearing a red jacket to match his microphone — could be seen pausing to take in the crowd singing the track during the performance. “It’s the first time I’ve sung that song in 10 years. Thank you. That was fucking amazing,” he said. “I almost cried at one point.”

While Zayn has not played any 1D songs live since he left the group on March 25, 2015, he has shared small clips of himself singing along to the band’s songs over the years. Back in 2022, he shared a video of himself singing the song a cappella on Instagram. That summer he also shared a video of himself singing the high note in “You and I.”

The 1D cover is especially poignant as it comes just over four months since his 1D bandmate Liam Payne died after falling from a balcony in Argentina. Zayn has been remembering Payne during his tour, displaying Payne’s name with the message “Love you bro” as his song “Stardust” plays over the speakers at the end of the show.

The day after Payne’s death, Zayn also shared a touching tribute to his late bandmate. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved,” he wrote.

Malik is scheduled to conclude his Stairway to the Sky Tour — his first tour as a solo artist — on March 28 after two more shows in Mexico City. He played shows in D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Vegas, and San Francisco earlier this year after a run in the U.K.

From Rolling Stone US.