Niall Horan — The Show: Live on Tour
The Moody Center — Austin, TX
August 3, 2024
Having the ability to see Niall Horan’s The Show: Live On Tour was a Niall girl’s dream come true. I had the privilege of seeing him at Austin City Limits a year ago and instantly knew that I needed the Niall Horan exclusive experience. The show at the Moody Center in Austin, TX was the last show of the North American leg and I would say that this was the perfect way to end. Nobody does it like Texas. The energy in the room was absolutely electric. Everyone knows the moment where the lights go out and the tension of knowing your favorite artist is about to come out you just don’t know when. A title screen flashes across the curtains, Niall has opted for an old movie theater set for his show and Niall took us on a ride kicking off the set with “Nice to Meet Ya” a popular song for the singer/songwriter. He had a good mix of songs from all of his albums, obviously The Show having a little bit more but I appreciated him including a couple of songs from the second and even first album. Right from the jump we were dancing and singing along, with “On the Loose” and “Black and White” there was just joy in the room. A large feeling of nostalgia came from being at this show as a major One Direction fan who saw them back in 2014 and even got 5 Seconds of Summer as the opener, and even though it was just Niall up on that stage it brought back so many memories, and this was only amplified when Niall slowed it down for us, starting with “Science” and then singing is debut single as a solo artist, “This Town.” I’ll be honest this is where I started to get emotional, I have always been a Niall girl, as I stated in the intro of this, and I remember being so excited for this new chapter for him, while also being so sad about them splitting up. It wasn’t until “You Could Start a Cult” that the tears started to fall. Something about just Niall up on that stage with just a guitar and a harmonica, it was a personal, intimate experience and I as well as all the other girls in attendance cherished it. He did not play “Put a Little Love on Me” which was slightly disappointing because I absolutely love the song but nevertheless, Niall then picks back up with the first single from The Show, “Heaven” and honestly it is one of my favorite songs by Niall, the harmonies and lyrics and sound all come together so beautifully I could listen on repeat. He also brought out his opener Del Water Gap to join him for this song and they sounded wonderful together, I think that their voices mixed very well. Unfortunately, the show had to come to an end. Before the encore he leaves us with “Still,” a stunning love song about being honest and in love. His encore starts with “Heartbreak Weather” the title track of his sophomore album, and Niall thanks the crowd once again and all of his crew and band members and finishes off with “Slow Hands.” It was a mix of Niall singing and the crowd screaming the lyrics, it was an energetic, contagiously fun outro. And at the end after everyone's off stage and end credit scene rolls on the side screens and it lists the names of everyone involved on tour, creative directors, band members, set designers, lighting techs and much more. This was something that I especially loved, I love being able to see all of the BTS crew get the flowers they deserve. I was laughing and crying and dancing and swaying. I couldn't have had a better time. I am excited for whatever project Niall puts out next and cannot wait for his next tour.
Photo Credits: Zackery Michael
