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Zayn review – shy star lets his hypnotic vocals do the talking

Malik sips tea and hesitantly delivers an intimate, accomplished set – and pays tribute to former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne

After initially postponing the US leg of his tour following the death of former bandmate Liam Payne – whom Malik pays tribute to at the end of the show with a projection that reads “love you bro” – the fans tonight seem delighted he’s back on stage. Unlike the cantering presence of former bandmate Harry Styles, he mostly spends the set unmoving, sequestered behind a protective semi-circle of stage monitors, only stepping back to take sips from a cup of tea. Even when the music seems to call for the sway of hips or the shuffle of feet, as in the bar-room swagger of Dreamin or the shimmering groove of Bordersz, Malik is hesitant, as if afraid of embarrassing himself.

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