Niall Horan Performs During the Citi Concert Series on the TODAY ...
It’s 8:30 a.m. when the concert starts for real, and Niall starts off with two songs from his new record, “Heaven” and “The Show.” The fans know every word, plus all the lyrics to his biggest hit, “Slow Hands,” which he also performs on stage. Niall takes it all in, grabbing fans’ hands as he walks down the catwalk and basking in the morning light as hundreds sing along to his songs.
In between songs, the TODAY anchors
share a video from Blake Shelton, Niall’s fellow judge on “The Voice,” who wished him luck with his concert and upcoming tour. “Good ol’ pops,” Niall responds, playing into their father-son relationship they developed on the singing competition show.
Next, Niall is introduced to two girls, originally from Argentina, who traveled from California to make it to his plaza performance.
“When someone comes from Argentina it makes you feel bad about coming from Jersey,” he jokes.
The girls gush over Niall, continuously hugging him and taking selfies while on live TV. Niall closes out his set with “Meltdown,” before addressing the crowd amongst screams.
“We did four for TV, but I couldn’t let you queue up for three days and not play a couple more,” Niall said, before playing two additional songs.
Niall then rushes inside and up the stairs of Studio 1A to tape two interviews, in which he discusses his dream festival lineup: The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis and Taylor Swift (he specifies he would open for her).
Niall gives Swift another shoutout when discussing his dream musical collaborator. He first says Bruce Springsteen, adding he can “categorically say that will probably never happen,” before naming the “Shake It Off” singer yet again.
“I love Taylor Swift,” he says. “She’s one of my favorite songwriters, she definitely is the best songwriter of our generation. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would say that.”
The singer then heads downstairs for his live hit on TODAY, where word about his obsession with cardigans has gotten around. TODAY’s weatherman
Al Roker handed Nialla white cardi with the orange TODAY logo knitted on the front, and “Today” embroidered in black cursive on the back, to Niall’s delight.
