Niall Horan brought his highly-successful second ever headlining tour into Camden, New Jersey’s BB&T Pavilion with very special guest and “Seeing Blind” collaboration partner, Maren Morris. Philadelphia got their first glimpse of Niall Horan’s solo music at their Q102 Jingle Ball last year (2017) and also on his intimate Flicker Sessions Tour back in October of 2017 when he celebrated the release of his No. 1 album, Flicker.
Launching the evening of exceptional talent was Grammy-Award winning, Maren Morris bursting onto the stage to her upbeat unreleased song, “The Feels” which is a new song off of her forthcoming new album. The song instantly got the crowd off their feet jammin’ along to her unique pop-country sound. Continuing to power fiercely through her 10-song set with songs like “Just Another Thing,” “Once,” and “How It’s Done” off her 2016 debut album, HERO. Also, performing her smash hits like “Rich,” “80’s Mercedes,” “My Church,” and of course her first number 1 song “I Could Use A Love Song.” Throwing in an amazing cover of Beyonce’s “Halo” which made for a massive sing-a-long with every single fan in attendance. Ending out her impeccable set with her current radio conquering Zedd collaboration “The Middle.”
Next, was headliner 24-year-old Irish singer Niall Horan and his five-piece band who accelerated through an 18-song about 2 hour set which even included some fan-favorite One Direction hits along with all of his songs from debut No. 1 album, Flicker. Although, we are only approaching the 1-year anniversary of Horan’s debut album, fans sang along to every song performed from the album as if it were out for years prior to the albums release on October 20th, 2017.
While the packed out audience were thoroughly respectful during Horan’s performance, the response at the end of each of his songs was deafening not to mention their near deafening sing-a-longs throughout his entire set with especially notable during songs like “This Town,” “On The Loose,” “Slow Hands,” “Flicker,” and his latest single “Too Much To Ask.” Another highlight of Horan’s set would be a song that did not make it into his album and that was written on the piano in which Horan put down his guitar to play on piano for a song that he regrets not including on his debut album “So Long.” Along with his performance of “Finally Free” which is Horan’s contribution for the Smallfoot Movie Soundtrack.
“It has been amazing to watch this album [Flicker], its nearly out a year now. To watch you guys take my album and really take it under your wing and make the songs your own and about stuff in your life. And from what i’ve seen and from what i’ve felt is that Flicker has done exactly that and you have been able to take this song [“Flicker”] and make it about something completely different, that is personal to you and I do say this a lot but it is the best compliment as a songwriter I think when people do that for you music. So if this is one of your favorite songs or it is your favorite, I want you to do me a favor and completely zone out and put your phone in your pocket for a few minutes and live in the moment. If you are with someone you love hold on to them.” – Niall Horan
Horan delivered a mind-blowing performance of New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” in which he definitely made Springsteen proud. Springsteen is an artist Horan would love to one day cross paths with as he is one of Horan’s idol and inspirations musically. After, performing an impeccable rendition of Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark,” Horan welcomed Maren Morris back out onto the stage to perform their “Seeing Blind” collaboration together which will always be an unforgettable moment as both of their powerful vocals blend together perfectly.
An exciting moment during Horan’s set for fans was when they were able to see the past and present of Horan collide as he played a solo, acoustic version of One Direction’s “Fool’s Gold” off of 1D’s 2014 release of Four and when he put his own spin on One Direction’s “Drag Me Down” off of the bands fifth studio album, Made In The A.M. Overall, the Flicker World Tour featuring Niall Horan and Maren Morris was an incredible evening of wowing talent and some of the best voices of our generation. I would highly recommend getting out to see both Niall Horan and Maren Morris as they never fail to put a smile and wowing factor on your face when they perform flawlessly.
Niall Horan ‘Flicker World Tour‘ Dates w/ Maren Morris:
09/12 – Wantagh, NY at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
09/14 – Hartford, CT at XFINITY Theatre
09/15 – Holmdel, NJ at PNC Bank Arts Center
09/17 – Raleigh, NC at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
09/19- Charlotte, NC at PNC Music Pavilion
09/20- Alpharetta, GA at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
09/22- Tampa, FL at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
09/23 – West Palm Beach, FL at Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds
