Niall Horan ditched the traffic in Toronto and hit the pavement, walking to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. It was like something out of a music video: an Irish singer-songwriter and former One Direction member took the city’s gridlock in great stride, flashing a smile and taking a stroll.
Niall Horan had to walk to his own concert in Toronto due to traffic:
“In all of the years playing shows, I don’t think I’ve ever walked to a venue” PIC.TWITTER.COM/HG4KWH9ALX
— Pop Base (@PopBase) JULY 2, 2024
With his velvety-smooth voice and heart-tugging lyrics to his songs, Niall Horan got caught in a jam – literally. He was going to the performing venue on June 28 for his third concert tour, The Show: Live On Tour, when Toronto traffic got too much for everyone. With cars backed up blocks under the Gardiner Expressway, Horan made a spontaneous move that speaks much to his down-to-earth personality.
“Traffic’s too crazy in Toronto, so I’m walking to the venue,” Niall announced, setting off with a funny rendition of The Proclaimers classic, I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), playing in the background. Such a quirky moment endeared him to hearts everywhere, headlined, and turned into a viral sensation.
It was a refreshing reminder to many that even superstars have to go through everyday problems. “In all the years of playing shows, I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a venue,” Niall reflected on his unexpected journey. Seeing him weave through parking entrances and take that final stretch to Scotiabank Arena felt unreal—fans couldn’t get enough.
The video of Niall’s impromptu walk spread like wildfire across social media, racking up thousands of reactions. One Canadian fan joked, “Niall acknowledging our crap traffic omg.” Another added, “This is the most Toronto thing ever. Traffic’s too bad, so you walk.” It was pretty plain that the love from his Canadian fans was palpable—many appreciated how relatable his approach was to the city’s infamous traffic woes.
Niall didn’t just walk to his concert; he brought his fans along for the ride. He later shared a string of behind-the-scene pictures and videos from his walk, showing everybody a backstage look at what went down during his journey. It was a candid moment that added a personal touch to his concert tour, putting flesh to the bone by showing that sometimes the best stories come from the unexpected.
With its growing reputation for heavy traffic, Toronto was an increasingly different backdrop for this musical adventure. According to transportation analytics firm Inrix, Torontonians lost 118 hours to traffic last year. Walking proved to be a cool way to get around gridlock and a bonding moment with the city and the people for Niall.
For Niall Horan, The Show: Live On Tour has been a way to travel through creativity and junctions. His third studio album, The Show, distributed by Capitol Records, played an essential role in being at the peak with influences from rock and synth-pop. Songs “Heaven” and “Meltdown” hit the top charts and stole thousands of hearts worldwide. One could see that Niall did his best to provide powerful lines with lyrics and set unforgettable performances in each show.
Throughout his tour, Niall has been joined by talented supporting acts such as Birdy, Del Water Gap, Tommy Lefroy, and Amy Michelle. With fan favorites like “Nice to Meet Ya,” “On the Loose,” “The Show,” “Flicker,” and “This Town” included in his setlist, audiences have been treated to a musical journey that’s both nostalgic and fresh. This also keeps fans on their toes, knowing Niall might whip out any cover performance or change up his setlist anytime, ensuring no two shows are alike.
