As the former members of One Direction continue to flourish in their respective solo careers, the likelihood of their tours overlapping has become a common reality for fans. With multiple alumni often on the road concurrently, Niall Horan has revealed that he follows a specific rule to ensure his live performances remain distinct from those of his former bandmates.
In a recent video feature with NME, the Irish singer-songwriter delved into the meticulous process of curate his tour setlists. Horan discussed how he decides which nostalgic hits from the One Direction discography to include in his solo shows. While he has previously delighted audiences with renditions of “Night Changes,” “Story of My Life,” and “Fool’s Gold,” his selection process is surprisingly strategic.
“I generally stick to my personal favorites,” Horan explained. However, he noted a conscious effort to avoid duplication. “I try to steer clear of certain tracks if the other lads are currently performing them. If Harry [Styles] is out there singing ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ every night, it feels redundant for me to do the same. Similarly, when Louis [Tomlinson] included ‘Drag Me Down’ in his debut tour, I opted to leave it out of mine until a later run.”
Beyond the hits, Horan also touched upon the tracks within the 1D catalog that he believes never received the recognition they deserved. He pointed specifically to “Steal My Girl,” calling it a “hot take” but insisting the song was “robbed of its day in the sun.” He also categorized the ballad “Fool’s Gold” as another criminally overlooked gem from the group’s five-album legacy.
The 1D alumni remain as busy as ever. Harry Styles continues to dominate the charts, with his latest project Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally securing a second week at the summit of the Billboard 200. Horan himself is preparing for the release of his upcoming album Dinner Party on June 5, with both artists slated for major tours in 2026. Meanwhile, Louis Tomlinson is currently trekking in support of his January release How Did I Get Here?, and Zayn, who recently unveiled his fifth studio effort Konnakol, is also expected to hit the road this year.
