Niall Horan

Niall Horan proves that there is life after a boy band. The singer was born in Ireland on September 13, 1993. At ^16, he participated in the talent show The X Factor, which earned him a spot in the brand new boy band One Direction. The band released five albums and became one of the most successful boy bands of all time with hits such as What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, Best Song Ever, Story Of My Life and Drag Me Down. In 2020, the counter with sales already stood at 70 million copies. Although the fifth album Made In The AM, from late 2015, was again hugely successful, One Direction decided to suspend activities indefinitely shortly afterwards.

It paved the way for Niall Horan's solo career. In 2016, he released his first solo single, "This Town." It was a top 10 hit in England, making it the perfect precursor to his debut album, Flicker, released a year later. The Irish singer still makes catchy pop music, but he also explores depth, both musically and lyrically. In interviews, he says he grew up with the timeless 70s pop and rock of Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, while even being a fan of old crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He also says he's inspired by Taylor Swift and singer-songwriter Damien Rice.

His second album  2020's "Heartbreak Weather" was once again a resounding success, charting in the US top 10 and reaching number one in the UK album charts. A tour featuring Lewis Capaldi, among others, as a special guest had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His third album, The Show, will be released in 2023, the year he turns 30. Niall Horan has acknowledged this milestone in interviews. The album is further influenced by the underlying coronavirus crisis, particularly its drastic consequences for his personal life. The Show showcases his growth as an artist. In 2023, Niall Horan will also become one of the coaches on The Voice. For a singer who once broke through on a talent show, this brings things full circle.