Even though I never thought there would be room for another favourite artist after being in the Mendes Army for 10 years, something shifted when I saw Niall Horan live.
One thing about me is that I am very committed to my passions. That includes being a fan of someone. When I was 15 years old a handsome Canadian with a beautiful voice crossed my path. And the rest is history. I’m talking about Shawn Mendes and the fact I have been a big fan ever since. I’ve seen him live on every tour, buy all of his music and listen to him almost every single day. For someone who doesn’t “listen” to men around her, that’s a huge deal. 😉
No other artist has ever come close to taking that number 1 spot in my mind and heart. And I thought that would never happen. Because how could I ever react the same way to someone without 10 years of knowing every littlest detail there is to know. Like Shawn’s full name (Shawn Peter Raul Mendes), his birthday, the lore (snippets of interviews that became memes etc.), every single lyric to every single song (even the lesser known ones, like for the movie Lyle Lyle Crocodile)… Shawn Mendes has been with me on every significant moment over the past 10 years. I listened to him when I felt the odd one out at school, after graduation ceremonies and before every big moment that made me nervous. I could not imagine that another artist would ever become my go-to listen when I feel bad, good or anything in between.
Until I saw Niall Horan live in Cologne on October 13, 2026 – my 26th birthday.
A life-changing concert
I wrote about Niall’s concert in a previous post, you can read it here. I cannot really explain what happened there, but I know that my heart did the same thing it did when I went to Shawn’s concerts. ‘Dinner Party: Live on Tour’ in Cologne was so fun, and that’s even an understatement. I was smiling from ear to ear and was completely mesmerized.
Was I the biggest One Direction fan in the past? No. I obviously liked their music very much, but I didn’t feel the need to see them live. I did go to a shopping centre when there was a 1D pop-up with merch at some point. But when I arrived there and saw the line, I decided to not queue at all. Also, if you asked me back then who my favourite band member was, I would have said Liam. And probably also Harry at some point.
But seeing Niall this fall… wow. His personality, wittiness, spontaneity and authenticity just spoke to me. And his music too, of course. I definitely like his solo music the most out of all 1D members. Although Liam’s too, but sadly I haven’t had the opportunity to see him live.
Similar vibes
In some way, Niall is actually quite similar to Shawn. Their music has the same ring to it. Plus, they are friends, which also tells something. And both their fanbases (Mendes Army and Lovers) feel like safe spaces filled with positivity and lots of feelings.
All of this led to me gaining a new idol as a freshly 26-year-old. I didn’t see that coming, but I happily let it happen. And I decided to go with it: after the Cologne concert, I bought tickets to see Niall again in Antwerp on November 5 (which wasn’t sold out yet). Since I experienced the concert in Cologne from the seated area, I wanted to buy a standing ticket this time. But I actually never went to a concert without having an assigned seat before. The only time I was on the ground level, was for Shawn Mendes’ “On the road” in Amsterdam in August 2025. But it was with numbered seats.
I could never see myself in the middle of the pit, without seats creating space. But I did want to try it because how else would I know the feeling of seeing an artist up close? However, since I hate packed spaces with no room to move, I thought: go big or go home and went for barricade. So, I bought an early entry VIP package and queued since noon the day of the concert. Funny for someone who decided to not even queue for a One Direction pop-up store. Luckily, it worked out! And I probably will never get over the view I got there. Everything went by in a bit of a blur, but I know I was smiling the entire time just taking it all in.
Catching up quickly
So, suddenly I’ve seen Niall two times in less than a month. While I only saw Shawn four times over the course of ten years. I also bought the VIP package AND a merch hoodie. Something I have never done for Shawn. So, does that mean Shawn is dethroned? Not yet, but I currently do feel like they share the first place. After all, I now know Niall’s full name (Niall James Horan) and birthday as well.
Unconsciously, I do think mentally I’ve been making room for a new idol for a while now. Shawn is in an era I don’t feel that connected to (being madly in love, talking about starting a family…), and that’s okay. I guess it’s impossible to keep that same connection with an artist when you’re both also just people growing. What I personally need right now – being in a serious job and all – is fun. And Niall is fun.
That’s why I have this theory that every 10 years we need a new idol that matches our season of life. That doesn’t mean the love for the previous idol has to die, maybe it just means our hearts only get bigger to make room for someone whose music and personality resonates more with who we are at that point. As Shawn says himself in “Understand”:
And you can’t hold on to the old you, or the old this, or the old that
Because you know you change, and it’s not changing in a bad way
It’s just changing because that’s what happens life
But at the end of the day, you know
You’re the same person
And, and where your heart is
That doesn’t change
Written by Nikita
Nikita – founder of Nikita’s World – is a Belgian author of feminist feelgood & a journalist specialized in pop culture and the creative industry.