“We have waited 14 years to see you,” read a fan sign during ‘THE SHOW’ Live on Tour in Singapore, helmed by Live Nation Singapore.
This sentiment deeply resonated with the thousands of Niall Horan fans and Directioners (fans of One Direction) who filled the Singapore Indoor Stadium on night 30 of the tour.
Last Thursday night (09/05), we were transported on a sweet and euphonious voyage. Niall’s velvety vocals, his live band’s impeccable accompaniment, the nostalgic ode to his One Direction days, and his down-to-earth energy, all contributed to an unforgettable experience.
It was nearly impossible to spot anyone who didn’t leave the venue with a star-struck smile.
MUST BE LOVE (FOR IRISH BOYS)
The pre-show atmosphere was almost reminiscent of a reunion with childhood friends. Fans spanning various ages bubbled with excitement as they queued for merch and took pictures of their standout outfits.
Many embraced the singer’s signature look, donning double denim, or incorporating the colour blue into their outfits.
Some took their creativity up a notch. One long-time Directioner sported a t-shirt declaring “I’m a child of divorce,” with a picture of One Direction emblazoned on it, while many “I LOVE IRISH BOYS” t-shirts were spotted around the venue.
When asked about their outfits, 16-year-old girls, both named Kate, who effortlessly pulled off their Irish-centred outfits, modestly told me that it was merely a last-minute plan.
Like many other fans present, both have been following Niall Horan since his One Direction debut. As we discussed what Horan’s music means to them, Kate on the left explained “His music is really important to me. I listen to him with my dad so it means a lot.”
Kate on the right expressed how his music is one she looks to for comfort, “I think his music really makes you feel understood and encapsulates feelings really well.”
Embodying a similar outfit idea were twin sisters Nana and Shasha, who travelled from the neighbouring country, Malaysia, to support the artist. “We have been fans of One Direction since we were kids and we’re 25 now!”
They continued: “We’re trying to catch every member’s concerts, like collecting infinity stones!” they laughed, explaining that they had also attended Harry Styles’ recent concert.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
The lights dimmed and the screens on each side of the stage lit up with red hues, “WELCOME TO THE SHOW”.
Charged with anticipation, fans sprung off their seats erupting in cheers and screams that echoed throughout the stadium the minute Niall Horan appeared onstage.
“Good evening Singapore!” Niall Horan greeted, before diving straight into ‘Nice to Meet Ya’ while playing the guitar.
Fans sang along in unison, their voices ringing with contagious vigour as they clapped and grooved along to the beat.
Amping up the excitement, the singer went straight into playing another hit, this time from his Flicker album, ‘Small Talk,’ which included a short mashup of Stevie Nick’s classic ‘Edge of Seventeen’.
Before the fourth number of the night, the singer expressed his excitement to be back in the Lion City, “Singapore! Hello! Welcome to ‘THE SHOW” Live on Tour baby! It’s so nice to be here in Singapore, it’s good to be back after six long years. We’re gonna have a good time tonight, you ready?”
The multifaceted musician then put his guitar down to play a more intimate set for ‘The Show’. As he sat to play his piano with the spotlight shining on him, he once again expressed that it’s good to be back in Singapore (apart from the hot weather haha), “We waited long enough for this, we might as well go out with a bang! Are you ready, Singapore? Sing along with me on this one.”
Little did he know, his dedicated fans in Singapore had prepared a special surprise.
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A fan running the “niallhoran.sg” fan account on Instagram had created a fan project specifically for ‘The Show’. Blue, red, green and yellow paper hearts were handed out to fans across the stadium and meticulous instructions were given for those without it.
While I did not get to meet the original creator of the fan project, I bumped into Deana and Erina, who volunteered to promote the fan project to fans seated on the right side of the stadium.
They expressed their excitement about the fan project, explaining that they had been long-time fans of One Direction and were especially excited for Niall to sing One Direction’s song. The board showcased a clear overview and instructions for the fan project.
The live rendition of ‘The Show’ was nothing short of breathtaking. Horan’s clear vocals and piano performance were captivating, but it was the addition of his background vocalists and the violinist that added depth and enriched the experience. Together, they enveloped the venue with a soulful serenade that could only leave you yearning for more.
Of course, what better way to enhance the performance than with colourful displays throughout the stadium? Blue, red, green and yellow hues filled the stadium as fans swayed the fan-made paper hearts (and flashlights) across the stadium.
Expressing his gratitude to his fans who have supported him since his debut, he said: “I just want to say a massive thank you for your loyalty over the years. As I’ve already said, we haven’t come here for a very long time. And for you guys to show up all the time means a lot to me.”
He continued, “We’ve waited for 14 years for this. So I’m so happy that you stayed so loyal and thank you so much. As long as you keep turning up, I’ll keep coming back.”
As if the night could not get more sentimental, ‘Black and White’ left some fans in tears. “I cried during black and white because that’s my favourite song. I bawled my eyes out!” said 21-year-old student Aishah.
One fan sign particularly stood out to Niall. “I WALKED DOWN THE AISLE TO BLACK AND WHITE,” it read. The singer expressed his regret as unfortunately, he had only read the sign after the performance, “See now I wish I read that sign about an hour ago [because] I could have dedicated it to you.”
ACOUSTIC INTERLUDE
One of the (many) highlights of the show is Niall’s acoustic set. As the lights dimmed, blue strobe lights shone on the stage platform where Niall, seated with his guitar, was surrounded by his crew who played the keys and violin.
Many fans were looking forward to this portion of the night. Xinyi, who is a working adult, expressed “I’m most excited for his chill-sit-down acoustic set! The set really showcases his vocals and ability to connect with the audience despite it being acoustic!”
Niall and his crew delivered spellbinding performances of ‘Science’ and ‘The Town’, prompting an echo of the latter’s chorus from the crowd.
The spotlight soon centred on Niall as he stood at the end of the platform, harmonica strapped around his neck and guitar in hand, poised for the acoustic rendition of ‘You Could Start a Cult’.
It takes a truly exceptional singer to effortlessly captivate thousands of fans with just his voice and no backtrack playing while seamlessly switching between two instruments. Just like in the studio recording, Niall played the harmonica, garnering cheers from the crowd. I never thought I could enjoy listening to the harmonica this much, but here we are!
SMALL TALK AND BIG GESTURES
One of the most entertaining parts of the show was when Niall took the time to interact with fans and read out their boards, which resulted in him checking the results slip of one fan. Yes, that actually happened.
In disbelief, Niall slowly opened the slip. “What’s the big F for? What’s that mean?” he joked.
He continued, “This is all high level stuff, I left school when i was young. I’ve never seen one of this before… because it’s got the word PASS on it.”
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Another lucky fan who requested for Niall to sign her birthday card was able to get exactly what she wished for.
Amidst the playful interactions, it was clear that Niall thoroughly enjoyed being on stage whether it was through waving at fans in different sections of the stadium, his quirky dance moves, and even at one point, posing like a flower during ‘Heaven’ which brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
(with audio!) KSLSLAJSHJAJAK HE WAS TOO CLOSE I WAS GETTING SCARED #TSLOTSingapore pic.twitter.com/5OUTF6zUBB
— c (@soloniallrise) May 9, 2024
I’LL FOLLOW YOU ‘TIL THERE’S NO TOMORROW
A highly anticipated part of the night was none other than Niall singing one of One Direction’s most iconic songs and fan favourite, ‘Stockholm Syndrome’.
The minute the first beat of the song dropped, everyone across the stadium screamed with excitement before belting out the lyrics alongside the singer, eager to relive nostalgic memories of their youth.
While many danced and sang along during the performance, Niall’s headset had fallen out inadvertently. Nevertheless, he continued singing flawlessly and with such energy that most didn’t notice the technical issue, highlighting his adeptness from over a decade of experience in the industry.
Aside from his musical talent, what stood out the most that night was Niall’s sense of humility and heartfelt appreciation for his crew and fans.
He expressed his gratitude for his crew who has been and will continue to assist him with the various setups throughout the tour, even spotlighting many members of his band such as the guitarists, pianists and more.
Niall took the time to convey his gratitude for his fans once more before the end of the show, “We are so far from home, as I said earlier, and I get to look out at this everytime I come here. Thank you so much and thank you for spending your well-earned money to come and watch me also. In the world that we live in, it’s not easy to get to a concert. It’s not just concert tickets… travel, flights from London…” he said, pointing in the direction of a fan who had flown all the way from London so she could watch him on her birthday.
“I really appreciate that you would take the time and money to come watch me. I really appreciate it. You have been a dream and I promise it won’t be six years until we do this again. I love you very much I hope you have a safe trip home and I’ll see you soon!” Niall expressed before the most bittersweet part of any concert, the last song.
With such profound love and genuineness for his fans, it is no surprise that they continue to uphold the same support for over a decade.
Lucky fans Jia Ying and Janelle, were able to get the official setlist which they rightfully earned, “We came at 8:30am to queue! We were at the barricade!” they expressed telling me that they even suffered from sunburns just to get a good view of the show.
Another long-time fan, Andrea, was lucky enough to catch Niall’s guitar pick at the end of the concert. “My favourite moment of the show was definitely getting his guitar pick. I managed to gain a lifetime souvenir from the concert, thanks to my boyfriend who was so quick to spot it after Niall threw it into the crowd!”
‘THE SHOW’ Live on Tour included the perfect blend of popular hits and fresh tracks from his latest album, perfectly highlighting and celebrating Niall’s artistry and growth as an individual artist.
With a predominantly adult audience, the concert ultimately felt like a homage to our childhood and youth, while symbolising the evolution that fans and the singer had collectively experienced over the past 14 years.
NIALL HORAN ‘THE SHOW’ LIVE ON TOUR SETLIST
Nice to Meet Ya
Small Talk
On the Loose
On a Night Like Tonight
The Show
Since We’re Alone
If You Leave Me
Black and White
Science
This Town
You Could Start a Cult
Heaven
Must Be Love
Stockholm Syndrome
Paper Houses
Meltdown
Mirrors
Still
Save My Life
Slow Hands
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