For One Direction fans, the past few years have been a roller coaster ride of nostalgia and heartbreak. Following the band’s split and the tragic passing of Liam Payne, hopes of a five-member reunion seem further away than ever. However, the solo success of the remaining members has been the glue holding the Directioner spirit together.
But this week, that sentiment was put to the test when two of the world’s biggest pop stars – Zayn Malik and Harry Styles – found themselves at the center of a pricing dispute that has the internet choosing sides.
Exorbitant ‘Harry Styles’ Price Tag
The first step in the saga was Harry Styles announcing his upcoming together, together Tour, which included a massive 30-date residency in New York City. But as pre-sales for the singer’s tour went live for American Express holders this week, fans weren’t impressed.
Many have flooded social media with screenshots of the eye-watering costs, with the price of lower-bowl seats reportedly rising from $800 to $1,000 ( ₹73,000 to 91,000). While Ticketmaster informed fans that prices were set in advance for the tour – ranging from $50 to $1,182.40 ( ₹4500 to 1.6 Lakh) – The upper limit has made many people feel left out.
The response to the X was immediate. One disappointed fan said: “What sucks about this is that nothing will be done to hold the artists accountable for pricing their tickets this way.” Others were less diplomatic, describing the pricing as “greedy” and lamenting the end of affordable live music.
Zain’s shadow is not so subtle
Enter Zayn Malik. Currently, he is embarking on his first solo tour Sky Tour StaircaseZayn has been enjoying a more intimate relationship with fans while promoting his 2024 album, room under the stairs.
During his Las Vegas show yesterday (January 28), Zayn took a moment to address his audience and he didn’t hold back. Dressed in a crisp white dinner jacket, the singer asked the crowd: “Who’s from Vegas?” he asked to applause. “Who is from somewhere else?” After the screams subsided, Zain uttered the line which instantly went viral. “I just want to say thank you so much for being here with me tonight… hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too steep – just saying!” He said.
The crowd got angry. While Zayn didn’t mention Harry by name, the timing, coming just 48 hours after Harry’s controversial $1,000 ticket rollout, felt like a targeted, cheeky jab at his former bandmate’s premium pricing.
Netizens were quick to make comparisons, with many flooding the comments section. One comment read, “He knows exactly what he’s doing with that line, haha.” Another comment read, “Someone who respects his fan base.” Another comment said, “Zayn is doing charity work here with $50 tickets while Harry is charging the price of a kidney.”
In an era when concert tickets can cost as much as a month’s rent, Zayn’s “just-say” may have been the loudest statement of the night. Whether it was a calculated piece of shade or a genuine moment of gratitude, one thing is clear: The boys of One Direction are still capable of breaking the Internet, even if they’re not on the same stage.