Review: In Tampa, Niall Horan's 'The Show' gave fans a night to…



The stage design was amazing. It included a stage atop another stage that looked like a theater, complete with a marquee sign. As the audience looked on, a welcoming message appeared on the screen, with the words "The show featuring Niall Horan" displayed prominently, followed by the phrase "Enjoy the show.

The energy was electric, pulsating through the night. The crowd was a sea of movement, jumping, dancing, and scream-singing in unison. Horan kicked off the show with his hit 'Nice to Meet Ya, 'igniting the crowd instantly. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand. The interludes between songs were marked by a blackout, followed by a shooting star across the backdrop.

The stage was a mesmerizing display of vivid colors alternating during different songs, creating an electrifying atmosphere. During his Song “On A Night Like Tonight,” the backdrop became a sparkling night sky with stars. His musical repertoire showcased his versatility as an artist, encompassing acoustic ballads, folk-inspired melodies, and even elements of rock.

The setlist featured tracks from across his discography, each resonating with themes of love, friendship, and mental health. An unforgettable moment occurred when the audience illuminated the venue with their flashlights during the performance of "The Show," creating a truly beautiful scene.

His interactions with his fans and genuine appreciation for his band were top-notch. He went out of his way to be nonjudgmental and said everyone should just be themselves and enjoy the show however they wanted, creating an inclusive and inviting environment.

At one point, he even took the time to read the signs in the audience. One fan had a sign that said she had postponed surgery for his show, and then when she told him that it was for her shoulder, he joked about having bad knees, stating, “I feel you sister, I got shit knees.”

Another fan had a sign saying they had waited since 2013 for a Horan hug, at which point he found his way down to hug her.

A fan had a sign that it was their 50th birthday, and he even wished them happy birthday. He frequently took out his in-ear monitors to hear the crowd’s reaction. He danced, jumped around, and often pointed the mic at the audience as everyone sang back. His facial expressions truly showed that he was in his element. Notably, after performing his acoustic track “Black and White,” the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

The crowd was a mix of older people who likely watched him on "The Voice" a few years ago and people in their 20s and 30s who had been fans since his One Direction days. The former One Direction band member released three solo albums: "Flicker," "Heartbreak Weather," and "The Show" after his former boy band disbanded in 2016. All three albums debuted at #1.

To show his genuine appreciation for the fans, he satisfied them with a cover of One Direction's hit “Night Changes.” His violinist, Emily Kohavi, joined him for Maren Morris’s part of their duet, "Seeing Blind." The harmonies were beautiful, and his band was incredibly talented.

Towards the end of the show, he expressed his sincere gratitude. He acknowledged how hard it is to get to a concert nowadays, whether it's buying tickets, finding transportation, or the gas it takes to travel, which genuinely showed how much he appreciated the fans.

As the show drew to an end, he said he hoped everyone enjoyed it. If they hated it, he joked, tell fucking no one and don't go on Twitter.

The encore included “Heartbreak Weather” and “Slow Hands,” which ended on a very high note. Horan left fans breathless with his magnetic stage presence, talent, and undeniable Irish charm, leaving them wanting the show never to end. Horan captivated the audience with his humor, charisma, songs, and undeniable talent. If you ever have the opportunity to see “The Show” live, you won't want to miss it.

Set List: 1. Nice to Meet Ya 2. Small Talk 3. On the Loose 4. On a Night Like Tonight 5. The Show 6. Seeing Blind 7. Save My Life 8. Black and White 9. Flicker 10. This Town 11. You Could Start a Cult 12. Heaven 13. Everywhere 14. Night Changes (One Direction song) 15. Fire Away 16. Meltdown 17. Mirrors 18. Still 19. Heartbreak Weather 20. Slow Hands Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters. Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1988, CL Tampa Bay has served as the free, independent voice of Tampa Bay, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming a CL Tampa Bay Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Scroll to read more Music News articles