LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 24: Niall Horan is seen at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on August 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
With traffic jams bringing downtown Toronto to a standstill, Irish pop star Niall Horan took matters into his own hands to ensure he made it to his sold-out shows at Scotiabank Arena last weekend. Posting to his Instagram, the former One Direction member documented his impromptu walking tour from his stalled car to the venue’s underground entrance.
“The traffic’s too bad in Toronto, so we’re walking to the venue,” Niall declares in his signature irish accent. As bumper-to-bumper vehicles barely inch forward in the background, the singer strides purposefully past the towering skyscrapers of Yonge Street with his entourage in tow.
Adding a fun soundtrack of classic one-hit-wonder “500 Miles” to speed up the journey, Niall’s Instagram story takes fans along his route from just west of downtown’s bustling thoroughfare to the arena doors near Bay. “In all my years of touring, I don’t think I’ve ever actually walked into a gig before. But there’s a first time for everything!” he laughs upon arrival.
Toronto’s infamously jam-packed roads have only worsened of late due to construction reducing lanes on the busy Gardiner Expressway. Data shows commute times along the vital artery have more than doubled during the morning rush, further backing upside streets. It’s no wonder Niall decided to trade four wheels for two feet to reach his beloved fans awaiting him inside.
