Concert Review: Niall Horan puts on a dynamic, charming show at the Kia Forum

Niall Horan sure knows how to put on a show.

The singer-songwriter and former One Direction member played the second of two shows at Inglewood’s Kia Forum on Sunday as part of “’THE SHOW’ LIVE ON TOUR 2024.” The arena tour launched in February in support of his third solo album “The Show,” which was released last year. A well-curated setlist that spanned all three of his albums, dynamic live performances throughout the night and Horan’s charming personality made this a winning act for both longtime fans and newer listeners.

Following a lively set from opener Del Water Gap, Horan took to the stage for “Nice To Meet Ya,” dressed in a black muscle tee and bearing a cream-colored electric guitar as the crowd roared its welcome. The retro-inspired set, featuring white curtains and ‘80s-esque neon lighting, mirrored the classic yet modern sounds of the first few tunes. During “Small Talk,” which details a romantic escapade over a headbang-worthy drumbeat and bass line, Horan provided his contemporary take on old-school rock by seamlessly integrating Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” into the bridge.

The Irish artist then took a moment after the high-energy opening songs to speak directly to the LA crowd, expressing his appreciation for his fans and reminiscing over his relationship with the City of Angels. The former boy-bander shared an anecdote from when One Direction played at the Rose Bowl in 2014, culminating in that audience singing “Happy Birthday” to a then-21-year-old Horan. Now 30, Horan’s connection to the 2024 crowd remained genuine and infectious, setting the tone for the evening.

“Los Angeles was literally a thing from the movies for me,” Horan said during the show. “I feel like I’m doing a home gig tonight.”

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Though Horan began the concert with energetic tunes, his muted, but equally entrancing rendition of the rock ballad “The Show” on a piano demonstrated his dexterity as a performer. Awash in golden stage lights, he shut his eyes and sang close to the microphone. Meanwhile, the audience’s flashlights turned the Forum into a sea of stars, coaxing an intimate, personal feeling in a venue of more than 17,000 people.

With the upbeat “Cross Your Mind” and “Save My Life,” Horan and his six-person band kept the crowd moving. As he ran around the stage and onto the catwalk, he waved at the fans closest to the barricade and jumped with fervor.

“If you’re not dancing, you’re at the wrong gig!” Horan shouted, to which the crowd responded with an energetic burst of movement of their own.

The middle of Horan’s set came with a surprise – namely, the arrival of singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, who bounded out onto the stage in a scarlet dress with white flowery details. The two artists bantered and expressed their delight at performing at the Forum before launching into their 2019 collaboration “What A Time” as the crowd echoed every word back to the duo.

Following Michaels’ appearance, Horan moved into an extended acoustic section, with him and the band seated on the catwalk, creating a more leisurely ambience. The stripped-back production and calmer arrangement emphasized Horan’s agile vocals in “Flicker.” He sat cross-legged with an acoustic guitar while violinist Emily Kohavi added a gorgeous, haunting harmony line that elevated the live performance from its studio rendition.

During “This Town,” a guitar-forward love song, the stage screens highlighted people in the audience – embracing, beaming, kissing, dancing – as they sang with Horan. The band departed for “You Could Start A Cult,” leaving Horan and his guitar standing alone under a single spotlight at the end of the catwalk, still in full control of the crowd.

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Beyond the strong acoustic set, nostalgia ruled the evening without dragging it down. Horan continued to express gratitude for his fans over the course of his 14-year career, and the crowd reciprocated by singing at every turn, wiping tears from their faces during slower sets and shaking the Forum’s floor when the drumbeats picked up. “Stockholm Syndrome,” a tune from Horan’s One Direction days, was easily the crowd favorite of the night. The audience’s rendition nearly drowned out Horan, while kaleidoscopic lights and a sparkling mirrorball rendered the Forum into a joyful extravaganza.

Throughout the night, Horan was the perfect mix of bashful artist and natural entertainer, captivating the audience with experienced ease. The night was filled with fun interactions, such as when he took a break near the end of his set to read some of the signs brought by audience members. Between quickly peppering in comedic one-liners and lightly roasting some especially dedicated fans, Horan took good-natured jokes about his age – and his bad knees – into stride.

It was revealing that many signs in the crowd referenced a lifelong fandom of Horan. For someone whose career began in the biggest boy band phenomenon of the 2010s, it might be understandable – perhaps even expected – for their solo career to plateau, or for performance quality to wane without other members to lean on onstage. But Horan continues to defy expectations. If the crowd’s rabid responses and enthusiastic sing-alongs were any indication, they weren’t there because of some wistfulness for a bygone band – but because they felt a genuine connection to Horan himself.

Horan ensured that his devotees’ dedication did not go unrewarded. During an excellent live rock update of “Mirrors,” strobe lights flashed in vibrant multi-color and he pumped his fists as if he was channeling the venue’s energy into his own performance. Horan kicked off a two-song encore with “Heartbreak Weather,” interacting with his band while blue and green neon lights drenched the arena in a cool glow. The star closed out the night with “Slow Hands,” grooving down the catwalk while the audience echoed his lyrics back to him. “No chance that I’m leavin’ here without you on me,” he sang.

Between Horan’s electric performances, charismatic flair and abundant crowd interactions, there was no chance anyone could leave with anything but a smile.