The Fan to Band Connection Comes to Life at Niall Horan’s “The Show” Tour
Photo by Jackilyn Cooper
Pleaser die-hards will know that last Austin City Limits, I found myself watching Niall Horan and Hozier grace the Amex stage. As soon as they both left the stage, I knew I had to see them again when they came back on their individual tours. Although I missed Hozier, my sister and I impulsively bought Niall tickets the day before the Austin show. What was a last minute decision turned out to be a great one, because the last show of the North American leg proved everything’s truly bigger in Texas.
Photo by Jackilyn Cooper
Opener Del Water Gap, stage name for S. Holden Jaffe, held a charming and endearing energy from the moment he set foot on stage. According to my sister, a new listener, his music combines the sonics of The Band Camino and The 1975 – creating bouncy beats with more somber and introspective lyrics.
After easing into his set, Jaffe invited Horan onstage to participate in a duet of I Miss You Already+I Haven’t Left Yet’s “Doll House.” The tune reflects Horan’s own heartfelt softer pop, making the two voices melt together seamlessly.
Jaffe’s slightly suggestive song “Perfume” charged the room with a buzzing electricity leading into the second half of the set. Not only was Horan’s set approaching, but Jaffe had found his cadence with the audience, creating a comfortable repertoire that invited fans to express themselves through singing, cheering and dancing around.
Photos (above) by Eugénie DurocherWhen Horan’s set started, the opening track was the pop-inspired and upbeat “Nice to Meet Ya,” but Horan’s cowboy hat, jeans and blue button down was reminiscent of a country concert. Horan even captured the swagger of large country stars in his confidence, a Texan aura seeping into every aspect of the show.
One of my favorite things about seeing Horan perform is the fan/artist reciprocity. It seems like each cannot believe they finally made it to that specific day and are so excited to be experiencing this concert. Even with slower, twangy, duet songs like “Seeing Blind,” the fans are just as enthusiastic to be screaming the lyrics along like they are with the more sultry, rock-forward “Small Talk.”
Photo by Jackilyn Cooper
Returning the favor, Horan invited Jaffe out for a duet of “Heaven” about mid-way through the show. Jaffe’s buttery voice melted into the song, keeping the surprises coming, and making it feel inviting and warm. The friendship between the two touring buddies was evident as they goofed around on stage, feeding into the audience's loud and infectious lyric screaming.
Undoubtedly, the loudest song of the set was a cover of One Direction’s “Stockholm Syndrome.” At that moment, it seemed like Horan could’ve stopped singing completely and the audience wouldn’t notice. This proves that while these fans might have fond memories of Horan’s boy band days and are willing to indulge in the nostalgia, they are just as excited for new material and phases from the beloved group’s members as soloists.
From acoustic sets that still captivated and entranced, to car-blasting summer tunes, Horan knows how to hold the attention of a crowd (of course, he had a pretty impressive training ground for doing so). He knows if he asked attendees to jump, they would ask “how high,” but I think it goes the other way around too. Horan is aware of the role that those who were at that Saturday night show have played in his success, and his thankfulness seems earnest. If his fans let him continue to be a musician, he will continue to thank them with colorful, energy-filled and honest performances.
