Show summary Hide summary
With former One Direction members increasingly active as solo artists, overlapping tours are becoming the norm — and that is shaping what songs make it into live shows. In a video published by NME on March 27, Niall Horan explained how he chooses his setlists and why he steers clear of certain 1D hits when his ex-bandmates are performing the same material.
How Horan avoids repetition on the road
Horan said his approach is straightforward: he builds shows around songs that feel authentic to him and tries not to duplicate another member’s nightly choices. That strategy is practical when multiple former bandmates are touring at once — fans in the same city can end up with very similar setlists otherwise.
Former 1D Bandmates Touring: Niall Horan Avoids Doing This at Shows
Regrets From Cazzie David Over Her New Book
He cited a few concrete examples of how this plays out in practice. When Harry Styles includes a signature hit every night, Horan will typically omit it from his own shows during the same period. Likewise, Louis Tomlinson’s early use of “Drag Me Down” influenced Horan’s decision to avoid that track initially, only revisiting it on a later tour.
- Songs Horan has performed solo: “Fool’s Gold,” “Drag Me Down,” “Night Changes,” “Story of My Life.”
- Tracks he called underrated: “Steal My Girl” and “Fool’s Gold.”
Why this matters to fans and promoters
The choice to limit overlap has several consequences: it helps each artist maintain a distinct live identity, reduces redundancy for fans who follow multiple ex-1D members, and can affect ticket sales and setlist expectations. For concertgoers deciding which shows to attend, knowing a performer’s likely approach to material can shape the live experience.
From a programming standpoint, the informal coordination — or mutual courtesy — between artists also keeps headline moments special. Horan portrayed this as common-sense rather than formal arrangement: a nod to respect for both the songs and the audience.
In the NME interview he also pointed to songs he feels didn’t get enough attention when the band was at its peak. He argued that “Steal My Girl” never had its proper moment and reiterated that “Fool’s Gold” is undervalued, inviting listeners to revisit those tracks within his solo context.
Where to hear more
Horan’s full conversation with NME includes further detail on setlist selection and touring life; the video was published March 27. For fans tracking which ex-1D member is on the road, these comments offer a useful lens on why live shows from the same era can feel refreshingly different.
