Niall Horan has always been a star, we’ve been knowing that for the past 13 years. But post One Direction, he’s really come into his self and become a solo act who’s live show stands on its own. With a sold out date at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Niall had the crowd eating out of his palm the entire show with his pure musicianship and charismatic personality. Welcoming everyone to “The Show”, he encompassed this cheesy 80’s tv show aesthetic with the intro video and lighting before giving the crowd a musically impressive set that showcased not only his musicianship but also his bands. Opening with “Nice To Meet Ya”, he went straight into “Small Talk” (intertwined with Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen”), “On The Loose”, and “On A Night Like This”. The singalong’s erupted immediately, and when you looked around the arena all you could see was pure joy radiating. 

There were moments where his inner-boyband member jumped out with cheeky little smiles and long-glances at the crowd, as well as intentional staring at the camera connected to the giant screens which he used to connect to the entire sold out crowd. A massive part of his show was about connection, and he took his time to really do that. But at its core it was still all about the music. My favourite section of the show was where he and his band sat together on the catwalk and gave stripped back renditions of “Science” and “This Town”. Their harmonies were soothing, and there in-sync energy as a band was impressive. His violinist was a standout as she brought such an interesting dynamic to the live show. The surprise of the evening though came in the form of special guests Angus And Julia Stone who joined Niall for a rendition of “Big Jet Plane”. It was an electric moment that was sang extra loud from the crowd.

Paying a little homage to One Direction, he treated fans to a little performance of “Night Changes” which fitted perfectly in-between his vulnerable solo catalogue. Closing out the show with an encore of “Save My Life” and the absolute tune “Slow Hands”, he left the crowd with an unexplainable energy that was so euphoric and healing.  His show had moments of electricity and moments of raw intimacy, and while the big singalong’s were fun, it was the vulnerable stripped back ones that felt the most genuine and captivating.

Making her triumphant return to Australia after 11 years, Birdy walked onto the stage for her support slot and captivated the audience for 30 minutes with just her powerhouse vocals and a piano. Opening with “People Help The People”, the stripped back set was not only a walk down memory lane with songs like “Not About Angels” (from The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack) and the unforgettable “Skinny Love”, but also a re-introduction with songs from her 2023 album “Portraits”. “I Wish I Was A Shooting Star” was a clear standout from the new material with its haunting melody. The calmness she delivered to the audience was beautiful. There was a stillness in the arena that came from her presence with everyone in awe and listening to every word so intently. As I looked around there were tears flowing, and singalongs being had in the big moments, including a cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season”. Closing with “Wings”, her short set was one a lot of people will remember for a long time as it captured a raw talent being rediscovered again by a country that have always embraced her.