Review: One Direction, LG Arena, Birmingham
They may be international superstars travelling the globe to the adoration of millions, but clearly home is best for Black Country boy Liam Payne.
Friday night's Birmingham date was a homecoming gig for the 19-year-old as his family and friends were seated close to the stage.
The star frequently waved and gestured towards them throughout the show and his father Geoff, along with other members of his family looked on proudly as Liam told the crowd: "It's so good to be home, it really is."
He told how he had sat in the audience of the venue on a number of occasions and had dreamed of being on stage. The other band members were more intent on mimicking the Birmingham accent, and throughout the show teased the crowd with their efforts.
The Brit award-winning band packed their set with hits including One Thing, Little Things, and Because You're Beautiful.
They treated the audience to a cover of Wheatus's Teenage Dirtbag, and their number one Comic Relief single a cover of Blondie's One Way or Another.
School friends Hollie Hyett and Megan Eaton, both 17, and Mollie Wilde, 16, had all travelled from Droitwich for the show. Hollie from Bowden Green said: "They were just brilliant. My favourite song was Heart Attack, and I love the songs you can have a dance too."
Mollie added: "I loved it during Little Things when everybody held their phones in the air. It was beautiful."
Motorists faced some delays when leaving the venue due to the snowfall, and drivers struggled on the slippy road surfaces.
Naomi Dunning
