In a night that fans will remember for years, Shawn Mendes brought an emotional surprise to the stage of London’s famed O2 Arena, inviting longtime friend and former One Direction star Niall Horan for an impromptu live rendition of Horan’s debut solo hit “This Town.”
The moment, unannounced and electric with anticipation, occurred during Mendes’s On The Road Again Tour stop in the British capital. As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Mendes paused mid-set and called out:
“Everybody please welcome Mr. Niall Horan to the stage!” — sparking instantaneous cheers that rippled through the arena.
Horan, dressed casually with his acoustic guitar in hand, met Mendes center-stage with a warm embrace before launching into the mellow, heartfelt ballad “This Town.” The iconic 2016 track, originally written by Horan with Jamie Scott, Mike Needle and Daniel Bryer, marked his first solo hit following One Direction’s hiatus — and tonight’s performance added yet another memorable chapter to its legacy.
A Powerful Return After Loss
For Horan, this was more than a performance — it was his first major public appearance since the tragic death of bandmate Liam Payne in October 2024, a loss that deeply affected him. In a heartfelt Instagram tribute last year, Horan reflected on their shared history, calling Payne’s energy “infectious” and recalling their final moments together during a Buenos Aires concert.
His return alongside Mendes — whom he has called both friend and mentor — visibly moved the audience, with many fans reduced to emotional applause. At the end of their duet, Horan pointed toward Mendes and said with genuine affection,
“I love you… and I love this guy. Take care of him.” — a moment that generated one of the night’s biggest reactions.
Mendes took to social media after the show with a caption that captured the spirit of the night:
“I’ll remember this for a long time 
Thank you so much London.”
Two Stars, One Stage
The friendship between Mendes and Horan goes back years — long before they commanded arenas across the globe. The London performance wasn’t their first onstage crossover; Mendes previously joined Horan during one of his own concerts in London to sing “Treat You Better.”
Tonight’s duet of “This Town” showcased not only their musical chemistry but also the emotional resilience of artists who have navigated the highs and lows of life in the spotlight. Fans and critics alike have hailed the moment as one of the standout highlights of Mendes’s tour so far — a night where nostalgia, camaraderie, and raw talent converged under the bright lights of one of London’s most iconic venues.
As Mendes gears up to continue his international tour and Horan prepares for his return to television as a coach on The Voice, this duet will remain one of the most talked-about musical collaborations of the year.
