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The last few days had been absolute madness in the best way possible. First it was the album release at midnight, then performing a mini concert at the Today Show mere hours afterward, a couple of surprise visits to stores like Urban Outfitters in NY and Target in New Jersey to sign some vinyls and CDs, and listening parties on top of tons of promo. It had been a long and eventful day, to say the least.
That nonstop rush of going multiple places in one day and being active on every platform fueled the blood that pumped in Niall's veins. He was so deliriously happy. To end an amazing release weekend consisted of performing at Wembley Stadium for the Summertime Ball with an assortment of other artists he knew and supported, nothing could be better than this and he felt so incredibly lucky.
There was one place in the back of his mind he wishes he could've been present for, though. And that was Slane Castle in Ireland. Harry played at this venue the day before to about 100,000 people and that in itself is unheard of because no one played to that scale (not even close) since 1985 and it sold out in 17 minutes. He cried at hearing those numbers, and it being in Ireland of all places.
His heart was fit to bursting if anything else in terms of achievements reached his ears, he needed at least 3-5 business days to process the whirlwind of his life. The buzz of playing at Wembley Stadium again radiated and settled in his bones, the thought of playing to a crowd of nearly 90,000 people blew his mind and was something he struggled to wrap his brain around.
After arriving in London on Saturday and doing a sound check with his band at Wembley he opted to try watching some clips of Harry's show in Slane. This felt like the next best thing since he couldn't be there in person to witness this miracle. Did he mention how proud he was of his boy? He smiles at the bits of live streams he can catch online and the TikToks being posted hours later.
He opens up his text thread with Harry and begins scrolling upward. Much of their conversation had revolved around the lead-up to Slane and his album release. They wished each other luck and expressed their nerves about living up to each of their expectations and delivering the best possible performances for their fans. Niall begins typing out a text.
Niall: Thanks for the shout-out. 😏
He's referencing the point in the concert where Harry is singing WMYB and says, "Sing it out for Mullingar!" He's absolutely chuffed at the prospect of it.
Curly: You know I had to!
Niall: You didn't, but I appreciate it babe.
Curly: Of course I did.
Niall: The crowd was absolutely mad.
Curly: Bonkers. Next-level crazy.
Curly: Only something out of my wildest dreams.
Niall: And you did that. All on your own.
Curly: Stop, you're making me blush. ☺️
Niall: But that's my favorite thing to do. 🤪😚
An endless stream of texts and videos had come in from his friends and family that had been in attendance and he laughed more than once at the audience interactions. The fact that his love for Harry projected and extended to his family and friends and ran so deeply did things to him. He loses it at the mention of Tallaght.
Niall: You just had to bring up Tallaght?
Curly: There's just something in the Irish air.
Curly: That deems it necessary to bring up.
Niall: Mhmmmm
Curly: Listennnn. The crowd LIVES for it.
Niall: I remember the sign from last year.
Niall: You just want any excuse for people to hear it haha.
Curly: I was prompted last year! 'Tallaght house party' is practically begging for acknowledgment.
Niall: At least you forgive them
Curly: The hell I do!
Niall: ...
Curly: I was headbutted there Niall!
Niall: I think I know... because I was also there!
Niall: Why are you lying to a rowdy crowd of 100,000 people Harold?
Curly: Deep down I think they know I'll never forgive or visit Tallaght again.
Niall: I'm not sure they will, you seemed so serious.
Curly: It's whatever.
Niall: Two bananas for a pound, three bananas for a euro!
Curly: Smooth transition...
Niall: Thank you, thank you. I pride myself with that one 😎
Niall: There are two bananas there... excuse me, you're gonna have to humor me for a second. You know it wouldn't have felt right... if we hadn't gone through that.
Curly: Are you quoting me?
Niall: It's iconic.
Curly: You didn't answer my question.
Niall: Yes lol
Niall: You're really recycling your old stuff every time you come to Ireland Haz.
Niall: Do you need help coming up with new material?
Curly: You know what? It's tradition at this point! I can't stray away from what the people have come to expect from me Niall.
Niall: Like wearing green?
Curly: But you LOVE that I do that!
Curly: Right?
Niall: Yessss. You're too easy sometimes. 😝
Curly: Not fair.
Niall: I think it is.
Curly: Did you hear the last bit?
Niall: You speaking in Irish?
Curly: Yeah
Niall: I did
Curly: How did I do?
Niall: Makin' be proud. But you did slip into a bit of a Dublin-sounding accent.
Curly: Oh god, did I? I hope I didn't butcher it.
Niall: You didn't, I swear!
Curly: That could've been embarrassing.
Niall: Nah the Irish love any attempt at appreciation for nationalism.
Niall: Plus everyone was well past drunk at that point anddd you're Harry Styles so you can't do any wrong as it is.
Curly: I tried so hard to remember it.
Niall: You said, "Goodbye and may the road rise to meet you" right?
Curly: Something along those lines.
Niall: Well you did it pet, everyone went ballistic.
Curly: I'll need to get more practice in for next time I'm there.
Niall: We can work that out.
Curly: Are you settled in at Wembley?
Niall: Yeah, did sound check with the band a bit ago. That was mad.
Niall: But I suspect tomorrow will be even more insane.
Curly: Well, I'm proud of you too Ni. The album is doing so well. Took a second to read reviews yesterday morning before the show.
Niall: I see what you did there. 'The Show'
Curly: I didn't even mean to do that but I'll take credit for it anyways
Niall: Cheers x
Harry reacts to his message with the 'haha' option.
Curly: Bet you can't wait for everyone to hear the new songs and have them sing em back to you. It's a whole different experience singing a new album.
Niall: The best.
Curly: And 90,000 people at that. This is our we made it moment Nialler.
Niall: 10,000 more people than me.
Curly: Shhhh that's like the same thing.
Niall: Okayyy
Curly: It is!! Let us have this moment together.
Niall: Ok, you're right.
Curly: I usually am.
Niall: Our moment, remember?
Curly: Oops. Yes. Let the basking it in begin.
Niall: Do you always have to say things in such a weird way?
Curly: Yes, I think I do. It's who I am atp
Niall: But on a serious note. Cheers to us both achieving new milestones in our careers and ticking things off our list of life goals; dream venues, festivals, album releases, insane crowd counts.
Curly: Hear, hear! And to many more record-breaking achievements in the near and distant future. I'm proud of us both. The last few years have been some of the best and hardest of our lives both solo and together.
Niall: Couldn't have put it better myself.
Curly: And 2024 is about to be your year. Grammy-worthy record, sold-out tour dates like MSG.
Curly: Guess it's good timing that I'm retiring from touring for a good bit to give you a turn.
Niall: Yeah, thanks for that. You can lend me some of the fans. I've seen them complaining about having no money between going to see you and now buying tickets for me.
Curly: I saw that too haha. All the merch you dropped and the stellar vinyls really killed millions of bank accounts.
Niall: I have nothing on the millions you raked in from this tour.
Curly: We'll see after next year.
Niall: Hmmmm
He retraces his steps and remembers to ask the one question he meant to earlier.
Niall: Have you left yet?
Curly: Yes, packed everything up last night. Really trying to make it on time for you.
Niall: 🙈🙉🙊☺️
Curly: If we have no delays I should be able to sneak in at some point.
Niall: You're amazing.
Niall: And the timing of the universe is uncanny, me at Wembley today, and you playing it for four nights two days from now.
Curly: I know, time seems to be on our side for once.
Curly: Cannot wait to see my man in action for the first time in years it seems.
Curly: Is there a backstage pass with my name on it?
Niall: You know it. Not that you actually need one, though. 😌
Curly: ☺️
Niall: I might have an unplanned surprise for everyone.
Curly: Ohhhh mysterious.
Curly: Do I get to be in on the secret?
Niall: Fraid not. You'll have to wait just like everyone else.
Curly: Pouting so hard right now, and Mitch is giving me serious side eye because of it.
Niall: HAHA why can I picture that so clearly?!
Curly: He's too aware of everything for his own good. Can never get a moment in without him noticing.
Niall: He keeps me in the loop. Man of few words, but genius where it matters.
Curly: Oh? He never told me he texts you regularly.
Niall: That's our secret, that.
Curly: Trying to steal one of my best mates?
Niall: Maybeee 😜🤪
Curly: Right then, I'll be keeping a close eye on you both. 👀
Niall: Go ahead, I dare you.
Curly: Do you know which one of the shows you can come to?
Niall: Not yet. Still have some listening parties, signings, promo, and fan events to attend and work out the timing of.
Curly: No worries babe as long as you do end up coming to one of them.
Curly: I will be there for four nights.
Niall: I knowww. I'll do my best to try for two nights.
Curly: I'd prefer all four but I know you have commitments.
Niall: That I do.
Curly: Maybe I can sneak away one of the mornings before sound check to crash a listening party or signing.
Niall: I'd love that. So would the fans.
Curly: I'll try my best to make it happen.
Niall: Sweet.
Niall: Safe travels, let me know when you land.
Curly: Will do, hopefully it's before your set I wanna see you if I can first.
Niall: I'll check my phone as much as I can, love ya.
Curly: Love you too, see you soon darling x