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Photo – Zackery Michael

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Following his third album The Show, Niall Horan is currently embarking on his The Show: Live On Tour 2024 – the first since his Flicker World Tour in 2018.

He has had a fair few hit singles over the years such as ‘Slow Hands’, ‘Nice To Meet Ya’, and ‘This Town’ though it is always difficult to hold a commercially successful solo career after being in a band – especially one of the biggest bands in the world. However, of the five members of One Direction, he certainly has the second biggest solo career after Harry Styles. He’s solidified himself as a talented songwriter with his own distinct sound and style, though how does his live shows compare?

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Birdy

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British singer-songwriter Birdy opened his show – adorned in red velvet and behind a piano. Although a very simplistic stage setup, she captured the audience with her soulful voice and hearty ballads. She began with People Help The People. She sang songs from her latest album, a song she wrote for the 2014 hit film The Fault In Our Stars which received an arena beautifully lit up with phone flights, uproar during the first few chords of her iconic Skinny Love, and she treated the crowd to Noah Kahan’s Stick Season – a popular cover she recently posted online.

Soon after, Niall kicked off his show with hit single Nice To Meet Ya, and backed by a large live band, several pianists, guitarists and drummer through the course of the show. After several songs he lovingly greeted the Sydney crowd. He played a relatively even mix of songs across his 3 albums Flicker, Heartbreak Weather and The Show such as On the Loose, If You Leave Me, You Could Start a Cult.. 20 songs all up. A lot of pop rock tracks mixed with somber ballads at a piano or with an acoustic guitar. While undoubtedly talented, his stage presence didn’t quite pack a punch; it was easy for songs to flow into the others.

Throughout the show he gave several speeches about his love for the crowd and for Australia, which comes as no shock to fans – over the course of his years in One Direction and solo, he’s expressed how much he really loves the country. Given his unbreakable smile and spring in his step, it showed. 

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ANGUS & JULIA STONE / Photo – @elisedphoto

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Highlights of the show include Niall singing One Direction song Night Changes (as a 1D fan, I very much lost the plot), his later segment of reading various and humorous signs in the crowd, and absolutely unexpected and magical, he brought out Australian duo Angus and Julia Stone. Before they graced the stage, Niall spoke about his love for them, how they inspired him to be a songwriter and really made an impact on him all those years ago in 2010 with their Down The Way album, specifically Big Jet Plane. A magical few minutes as all three sat down with guitars, lights low and sang that gorgeous song together, perfect harmonies. 

The venue was filled to the brim, the mosh was undoubtedly a sea, and it ended on a high with Slow Hands. Post-concert, Qudos Bank had a DJ in the centre of the foyer blasting One Direction, and a sea of fans across the ground and first floor were jumping away, confirming thoughts that many attendees were nostalgic 1D fans. A sweet treat for the evening!

Niall didn’t quite have a commanding presence, so I’m not sure if casual listeners would be impressed – perhaps it was owed to the mood of his set – though ‘The Show’ was a fun, little time. Niall’s energy and love for his fans and Australia elevated the show, and his fans certainly reciprocated that energy.

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Follow NIALL HORAN
YouTube – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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Press Release 5th June 2023 (below) HERE

NIALL HORAN
announces second
Rod Laver Arena
show for May 4

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AMNPLIFY – DB