Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Flicker World Tour

The Flicker World Tour was the second headlining by Irish singer-songwriter , undertaken in support of his debut solo studio album, (2017). Comprising 81 shows across arenas and amphitheaters, it commenced on 10 March 2018 at the INEC in , , and concluded on 23 September 2018 at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre in , spanning , , , , and . The tour followed Horan's intimate Flicker Sessions promotional run in late 2017 and was revealed in stages during that year to build anticipation for the larger-scale production. leg dates were announced first on 6 October 2017, with shows kicking off in mid-March 2018 across the , , and . Subsequent announcements covered dates on 7 September 2017 (set for June 2018 in and ), Latin American stops on 2 October 2017 (including and in August), select Asian markets like the , , and on 26 October 2017 (in May), and a major North American leg on 15 September 2017 (running July to September 2018). Opening acts varied by region, featuring singer-songwriter for the European dates and country artist for the Oceania, North American, and portions of the Latin American legs, alongside select emerging performers. Horan's setlist centered on tracks from , including "On the Loose," "This Town," "," and "Seeing Blind," interspersed with covers of songs by artists like and One Direction, emphasizing his transition to a solo sound. The production highlighted intimate lighting, acoustic elements, and high-energy band performances, earning praise for Horan's vocal maturity and audience engagement. Financially, the tour achieved strong commercial success, grossing $12 million from ticket sales in its first four months of 2018 alone, with near-sellouts at key venues like Dublin's 3Arena.

Background and Announcement

Album Context

Niall Horan transitioned to a solo career following One Direction's indefinite hiatus in 2016, marking as his debut studio album independent of the group. After years as the band's and vocalist, Horan sought to establish a distinct artistic identity, drawing from personal experiences during a reflective period post-hiatus. This shift allowed him to explore songwriting and production more intimately, free from the collaborative pop framework of his band days. Released on October 20, 2017, by , Flicker debuted at number one on the , selling 152,000 units in its first week and solidifying Horan's viability as a solo artist. The album incorporates elements with acoustic instrumentation and , emphasizing emotional vulnerability through themes of , heartbreak, relationships, and personal growth. Horan co-wrote much of the material, reflecting on self-discovery and roots, with production handled primarily by and Julian Bunetta, alongside contributions from and others. Tracks like "This Town" and "Seeing " (featuring ) exemplify this blend, balancing introspective ballads with subtle rock influences. Initial promotion began with the lead single "This Town," released on September 29, 2016, which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced Horan's solo sound through its orchestral arrangement and themes of fleeting romance. Followed by "Slow Hands" on May 4, 2017, which reached number 11 on the Hot 100 and showcased a more rhythmic, relationship-focused narrative, these releases built anticipation for the album's live interpretations. The singles' success laid the groundwork for Flicker's tour, which further amplified the album's intimate tracks in performance settings.

Tour Reveal

The Flicker World Tour, Niall Horan's second headlining concert tour following the intimate Flicker Sessions outing, was officially unveiled on September 7, 2017, through posts on his and accounts. The initial announcement focused on dates in and scheduled for June 2018, marking the beginning of what would become a major global production inspired by the folk-rock elements of his debut album . Over the following weeks, Horan progressively expanded the tour's scope with additional date reveals. On September 15, 2017, North American stops in the and were announced for summer and autumn 2018, featuring arena and amphitheater venues. Latin American dates, including shows in , , , , , and , were added on October 2, 2017, extending the tour's reach into . European legs, encompassing the , , and continental cities, followed on October 6, 2017, with performances set for March and April 2018. The final additions came on October 26, 2017, incorporating Asian destinations such as the , , and in June 2018. This phased reveal built anticipation for the , which ultimately comprised 81 shows across five continents from March 10, 2018, starting in , , to its conclusion on September 23, 2018, in . The logistical buildup emphasized Horan's transition to solo arena performances, with ticket sales launching shortly after each announcement to accommodate growing demand.

Tour Details

Legs and Itinerary

The Flicker World Tour was structured across five legs, covering , , , , and , with a total of 81 shows performed in arenas and amphitheaters worldwide. The tour's progression emphasized intercontinental travel, beginning in to capitalize on Horan's home audience and generate early buzz before expanding globally. The inaugural European leg ran from March 10 to May 12, 2018, commencing at the INEC Arena in , , and encompassing multiple dates in the UK, , , , , , , , , , , , , and . This segment featured intimate yet high-capacity venues, allowing Horan to refine his solo stage presence amid enthusiastic regional crowds. The Oceania leg followed in June 2018, with four shows in and , including stops at in and Qudos Bank Arena in , providing a transitional bridge to the Asian markets. Immediately after, the Asia leg in June 2018 included performances in at MOA Arena, at Star Theatre, and at Zepp DiverCity and Shinkiba Studio Coast, marking Horan's debut major solo appearances in these territories. In July 2018, the Latin American leg comprised four dates across , , and —such as Movistar Arena in , Luna Park in , and Espaço das Américas in São Paulo—before transitioning to for two shows at Pepsi Center. The tour concluded with the extensive North American leg from July 18 to September 23, 2018, spanning the and with amphitheater-heavy routing, ending at Coral Sky Amphitheatre in . Support acts varied by leg, with artists like in Europe and in .

Support Acts

The Flicker World Tour featured a rotating lineup of support acts tailored to each leg, adding diverse musical flavors and fostering collaborations that amplified the tour's intimate, communal vibe. served as the primary for the leg, performing her pop to audiences across the , , and continental Europe. opened the , , and legs, delivering high-energy sets of her country-pop repertoire before joining Horan onstage for duets such as their co-written track "Seeing Blind," which highlighted the tour's emphasis on shared performances and musical synergy. Local and emerging artists provided additional support on select dates, including Irish band Wild Youth for shows in Ireland and the , and Scottish Lewis for certain UK performances, such as the Glasgow concert, where he showcased his soulful ballads to enthusiastic crowds.

Musical Content

Setlist

The Flicker World Tour's setlist was structured to highlight Niall Horan's debut solo album (2017), featuring tracks from the record alongside covers and a three-song encore, resulting in performances typically lasting around 90 minutes. The show opened with high-energy tracks to engage audiences immediately, transitioned into more introspective mid-tempo numbers including covers, and built to emotional peaks before the encore, emphasizing the album's themes of love, loss, and personal growth. Typically 12 tracks were drawn directly from , underscoring the tour's promotional focus on Horan's transition from to solo artistry, with variations occurring over the tour. The standard setlist in the early North American leg, as performed at the July 18, 2018, concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas (where "Finally Free" debuted), proceeded as follows (with "Dancing in the Dark" included):
  • "On the Loose"
  • "The Tide"
  • "This Town"
  • "Paper Houses"
  • "You and Me"
  • "Dancing in the Dark" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
  • "Seeing Blind"
  • "Flicker"
  • "Fool’s Gold"
  • "Too Much to Ask"
  • "So Long"
  • "Since We’re Alone"
  • "Fire Away"
  • "Finally Free" (new single, not from Flicker)
Encore: This configuration totaled 17 songs across the full performance, though some shows featured slight adjustments in order or inclusions for pacing. Later in the tour, "On My Own" (from ) was added before the encore. Minor variations occurred across the tour's legs, such as occasional substitutions or extensions during international dates, but the core remained centered on Flicker material to maintain thematic consistency.

Covers and Guests

During the Flicker World Tour, Niall Horan incorporated several covers into his setlists to add variety and highlight his musical influences, often performing them in intimate acoustic arrangements that aligned with the tour's folk-rock aesthetic. Key examples included Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," which Horan delivered as a stripped-down rendition early in the show, emphasizing its themes of longing and energy. He also occasionally covered One Direction's "Fool's Gold," a track from their 2014 album Four, transforming it into a heartfelt acoustic piece that paid tribute to his time in the band (distinct from his own Flicker song of the same name). Another recurring One Direction cover, "Drag Me Down," appeared in over 80 performances, often energizing the audience with its upbeat tempo adapted for the tour's smaller venues. These covers served to showcase Horan's broad influences, drawing from icons like Springsteen while honoring his pop roots with selections, all rendered in acoustic formats that underscored the personal, organic vibe of . The arrangements typically featured Horan on guitar, backed by a small , allowing for spontaneous crowd interaction and emotional depth that connected with fans familiar with his solo evolution. Guest appearances added further dynamism, particularly Maren Morris joining Horan for their duet "Seeing Blind" during the North American leg of the tour. Morris performed the track live with him at multiple stops, including on July 30, 2018, and the tour's final show in West Palm Beach on September 23, 2018, where their harmonies highlighted the song's country-pop blend from . These collaborations were filmed for official releases, capturing the onstage chemistry that elevated the performance beyond a standard setlist staple. Notable variations appeared across shows, as documented in fan-recorded full concerts and setlist archives, with extended encores sometimes incorporating improvised elements like audience sing-alongs during "Fool's Gold" or subtle shifts in "Dancing in the Dark" tempos to match venue energy. For instance, the show on March 11, 2018, featured an additional cover, "," blending local Irish heritage into the evening. Such instances, viewable in archived videos, illustrated Horan's adaptability and the tour's emphasis on live spontaneity over rigid scripting.

Reception and Impact

Critical Reviews

The Flicker World Tour garnered overwhelmingly positive critical reception, with reviewers lauding Horan's commanding stage presence, introspective songwriting, and seamless transition from One Direction's pop sensibilities to a more rootsy folk-rock aesthetic. Critics highlighted how the production maintained an intimate, acoustic-driven vibe even in larger venues, fostering a sense of closeness between Horan and audiences despite the tour's global scale and substantial attendance figures. This evolution was frequently cited as evidence of Horan's artistic maturation post-boy band, allowing him to showcase a more personal and musically versatile identity. Roisin O’Connor of praised the London Brixton Academy performance for its maturity and Horan's commitment to folk-rock roots, noting influences reminiscent of in tracks like "On the Loose" and describing it as "a promising sign of Horan’s potential to carve out a lasting career of his own." Similarly, Rose Riddell in celebrated the electric energy of Horan's duet with on "Seeing Blind" during the Auckland show, emphasizing the live rendition's harmony and the crowd's enthusiastic response, which amplified the song's emotional depth. Matt Oberhardt of commended Horan's audience engagement in , where he invited fans to sing choruses and highlighted their participation as a highlight, underscoring his versatility on guitar and amid a "tight performance" from the confident band. Reviewers in captured Horan's effortless charm throughout the set, from strutting onstage with confidence to delivering intimate acoustic moments like a solo guitar rendition of a , while reworked One Direction tracks such as "Drag Me Down" demonstrated his growth without overshadowing the new material. Melodic Magazine echoed this sentiment, portraying the tour's finale as a testament to Horan's multifaceted talents—including seamless switches between instruments and clear vocals—and affirming his viability as a solo artist capable of captivating thousands with folk-infused anthems and covers like Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark." These critiques consistently emphasized the tour's role in bridging Horan's pop past with a folk-rock future, creating memorable connections through raw musicianship and heartfelt delivery.

Commercial Success

The Flicker World Tour generated a total reported gross of $24.7 million from the sale of 460,743 tickets across 75 shows (out of 81 total) worldwide. This figure represents reported performances across the tour's legs in , , , , and , marking a significant achievement for Niall Horan's debut solo headline tour following his time with . The reported shows averaged approximately $329,000 in per show. Notable high earners included the two-night stand at Dublin's 3Arena, which drew 22,874 attendees and generated $1.2 million in combined . These results reflected strong demand, with many venues selling out or achieving near-capacity attendance. In industry rankings, the tour placed 77th on Pollstar's 2018 Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours chart, underscoring its commercial viability among global acts that year. However, some data gaps persisted, such as unreported figures for the September 3, 2018, performance at the in Syracuse, which may have underrepresented the tour's overall metrics. From a 2025 perspective, these figures highlight the tour's enduring success as a foundational milestone in Horan's solo career, bolstered briefly by positive that drove initial ticket demand.

Tour Schedule

Dates and Venues

The Flicker World Tour comprised 80 performances across , , , , and , commencing on March 10, 2018, at the INEC Arena in , , and concluding on September 23, 2018, at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre in . The itinerary featured a mix of arenas, amphitheatres, and theaters, with capacities ranging from intimate venues like London's O2 Academy Brixton to larger outdoor spaces such as the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in . Attendance figures were reported for select shows via industry trackers; for instance, the two Dublin performances at the 3Arena on and 29 combined drew 22,874 attendees and generated $1.2 million in . Overall, the tour sold 460,743 tickets across 75 reported dates, grossing $24.7 million, placing it at No. 77 on Pollstar's 2018 Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tours. Notable examples include the opening show in , which sold out at 3,891 tickets for $218,574, and the date at Qudos Bank Arena on June 5, where 6,834 of 7,462 available tickets were sold for $574,454. The European leg emphasized smaller theaters early on, transitioning to larger arenas in and expansive amphitheaters during the North American portion.
DateCityCountryVenue
March 10, 2018KillarneyIrelandINEC Arena
March 12, 2018DublinIreland3Arena
March 13, 2018BelfastNorthern IrelandSSE Arena
March 15, 2018ManchesterEnglandO2 Apollo
March 16, 2018ManchesterEnglandO2 Apollo
March 18, 2018GlasgowScotlandSEC Armadillo
March 19, 2018GlasgowScotlandSEC Armadillo
March 22, 2018LondonEnglandO2 Academy Brixton
March 24, 2018CardiffWalesMotorpoint Arena
March 26, 2018BournemouthEnglandBIC
March 27, 2018BrightonEnglandBrighton Centre
March 29, 2018DublinIreland3Arena
April 18, 2018ParisFranceZénith
April 19, 2018CologneGermanyPalladium
April 21, 2018BerlinGermanyTempodrom
April 22, 2018CopenhagenDenmarkStore Vega
April 24, 2018OsloNorwaySentrum Scene
April 25, 2018StockholmSwedenFryshuset
April 27, 2018HamburgGermanyMehr! Theater
April 28, 2018AmsterdamNetherlandsAFAS Live
April 30, 2018BrusselsBelgiumForest National
May 1, 2018MunichGermanyTonhalle
May 3, 2018ZurichSwitzerlandHalle 622
May 4, 2018ViennaAustriaGasometer
May 6, 2018BolognaItalyUnipol Arena
May 7, 2018MilanItalyMediolanum Forum
May 9, 2018BarcelonaSpainRazzmatazz
May 11, 2018MadridSpainLa Riviera
May 12, 2018LisbonPortugalColiseu dos Recreios
June 1, 2018AucklandNew ZealandSpark Arena
June 3, 2018BrisbaneAustraliaBrisbane Entertainment Centre
June 5, 2018SydneyAustraliaQudos Bank Arena
June 7, 2018MelbourneAustraliaMargaret Court Arena
June 10, 2018ManilaPhilippinesMall of Asia Arena
June 12, 2018SingaporeSingaporeThe Star Theatre
June 14, 2018TokyoJapanZepp DiverCity
June 15, 2018TokyoJapanStudio Coast
July 4, 2018SantiagoChileMovistar Arena
July 6, 2018Buenos AiresArgentinaLuna Park
July 8, 2018Rio de JaneiroBrazilKM de Vantagens Hall
July 10, 2018São PauloBrazilEspaço das Américas
July 13, 2018Mexico CityMexicoPepsi Center
July 14, 2018Mexico CityMexicoPepsi Center
July 18, 2018The WoodlandsUnited StatesCynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 20, 2018DallasUnited StatesStarplex Pavilion
July 21, 2018RogersUnited StatesWalmart AMP
July 23, 2018NashvilleUnited StatesAscend Amphitheater
July 25, 2018CincinnatiUnited StatesRiverbend Music Center
July 26, 2018Tinley ParkUnited StatesHollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 28, 2018TulsaUnited StatesBOK Center
July 30, 2018West Valley CityUnited StatesUSANA Amphitheatre
July 31, 2018NampaUnited StatesFord Idaho Center
August 2, 2018AuburnUnited StatesWhite River Amphitheatre
August 4, 2018Mountain ViewUnited StatesShoreline Amphitheatre
August 5, 2018IrvineUnited StatesFivePoint Amphitheatre
August 7, 2018Los AngelesUnited StatesGreek Theatre
August 8, 2018Los AngelesUnited StatesGreek Theatre
August 17, 2018Chula VistaUnited StatesMattress Firm Amphitheatre
August 18, 2018Las VegasUnited StatesPearl Concert Theater
August 20, 2018MorrisonUnited StatesRed Rocks Amphitheatre
August 22, 2018Kansas CityUnited StatesStarlight Theatre
August 23, 2018St. PaulUnited StatesMinnesota State Fair
August 25, 2018Maryland HeightsUnited StatesHollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 26, 2018NoblesvilleUnited StatesRuoff Home Mortgage Music Center
August 28, 2018ClarkstonUnited StatesDTE Energy Music Theatre
August 29, 2018Cuyahoga FallsUnited StatesBlossom Music Center
August 31, 2018BristowUnited StatesJiffy Lube Live
September 2, 2018AllentownUnited StatesPPL Center (The Great Allentown Fair)
September 3, 2018SyracuseUnited StatesNew York State Fair
September 5, 2018TorontoCanadaBudweiser Stage
September 7, 2018Darien CenterUnited StatesDarien Lake Amphitheater
September 8, 2018MansfieldUnited StatesXfinity Center
September 11, 2018CamdenUnited StatesBB&T Pavilion
September 12, 2018WantaghUnited StatesNorthwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
September 14, 2018HartfordUnited StatesXfinity Theatre
September 15, 2018HolmdelUnited StatesPNC Bank Arts Center
September 19, 2018CharlotteUnited StatesPNC Music Pavilion
September 20, 2018AlpharettaUnited StatesVerizon Amphitheatre
September 22, 2018TampaUnited StatesMidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
September 23, 2018West Palm BeachUnited StatesCoral Sky Amphitheatre

Cancellations

The Flicker World Tour experienced only one cancellation during its run. The scheduled performance on September 17, 2018, at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in , was cancelled due to the impending threat of , which brought severe weather risks including high winds and flooding to the region. This disruption occurred toward the end of the North American leg of the tour, with no rescheduling announced for the affected date. Overall, the tour faced minimal interruptions, and no other postponements or cancellations were reported.