Niall Horan’s debut at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for his world tour in support of his latest album, ‘The Show’, was a night woven with the comforting threads of nostalgia and highlighted by his incredible growth as a vocalist and charismatic performer.
Selling out two nights at Rod Laver Arena across Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May, Horan displayed his clear evolution from boy band heartthrob to a mature solo artist.
From a pure concert goer perspective, it was hard to deny the minimalistic production of the concert, which sparingly used video content and utilised simple lighting (sans any pyrotechnics, fireworks, or laser lighting most concerts today boast). However, remembering the purpose of the concert is first and foremost to appreciate the music and vocalist, no criticism could be made on Horan’s performance which remained the undeniable star of the show.
For fans of Horan’s One Direction days, the night offered a special treat with his rendition of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, a song that sent the crowd into a scream-filled frenzy, proving to be one of the most electric moments of the evening. It was a reminder of Horan’s roots and his enduring charm that continues to resonate with the Directioners, who filled many seats of the Rod Laver during his two nights in Melbourne.
Horan also paid homage to his first solo album, ‘Flicker’ featuring songs like ‘This Town’ and ‘Paper Houses’ which were particularly poignant, reflecting the singer’s strong ability to connect intimately through his heartfelt lyrics and melodic prowess. These songs from ‘Flicker’ were the personal highlights of the night for me, showcasing the tender folk-infused side of Horan that initially endeared him to his solo audience.
Conversely, tracks from his sophomore album ‘Heartbreak Weather’ were scattered throughout the setlist but resonated with me less, despite Horan’s impeccable delivery. His vocal excellence cut through clearly the entire night, yet these songs lacked the emotional depth that his earlier works conveyed, at least on a personal note.
The concert’s overall production was notably understated, with a distinct lack of wonderous visual spectacle that has become often expected in arena shows, which might not detract from the experience for ardent fans but definitely made it more challenging to stay fully engaged for those less familiar with Horan’s entire discography.
However, this simplicity meant the concert heavily relied on Horan’s vocal performance and interaction with the audience, which he connected with flawlessly at many intervals throughout the night, even going so far as to take a photo with one Bachelorette front row in a wedding-esque dress.
Despite the production limitations, Niall Horan’s performance at Rod Laver Arena was a testament to his growth as an artist and his ability to captivate a venue with just the power of his voice and his songs.
The concert concluded with Horan’s hit single ‘Slow Hands’ elevating fans screaming to cheers that dared to blow the roof off Rod Laver, and left thousands going home in undeniable agreement Niall had indeed brought and stolen ‘The Show’ in Melbourne that night.
