On the Road Again Tour

**Shows** | 7 in Australia
13 in Asia
3 in Africa
33 in Europe
24 in North America

The **On The Road Again** **Tour** (also referred to as **OTRA** or **OTRAT**) is fourth headlining concert tour by English-Irish boy band One Direction. It promoted the band's fourth studio album, *Four*. The tour began on February 07, 2015 in Sydney, Australia and ended on October 31, 2015 in Sheffield, England.

During the tour, on March 19, 2015, it was announced that group member Zayn Malik would be taking a hiatus from the tour due to stress. Malik later announced his departure from the group six days later. His last performance with the group was the March 18 show in Hong Kong.

The group continued performing on tour and began to release new material as a foursome.

## Background

The tour was announced on the Australian breakfast television program *Today*. The dates for the first 19 shows - which were in in Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates - were released ranging from early February till the end of April. 23 shows in Europe and the USA were later added from early June until early September. A following 6 Canadian dates were added. Due to the high demand for tickets, numerous extra shows were added.

In April 2015, Billboard announced the OTRA Tour was the top grossing Hot Tour after the completion of the first leg. During that leg, the tour garnered $62 million in ticket sales. In July 2015, Billboard announced in their Midyear Touring Report that OTRA was again the top grossing tour of 2015, bringing in $81 million dollars, around $40 million more than runners-up The Foo Fighters. In October 2015, Billboard reported OTRA's North American leg had earned the band $80.6 million, bringing the entire tour's total earnings to $188 million. In January 2016, Pollstarpro.com announced it was the top earning tour of 2015 with $210.2 million earned and 2,364,390 tickets sold.

## Announcements

A video was released on May 10, 2014 from the boys, announcing that they'd be playing in the Philippines for one show in Manila on March 21, 2015.

Another video was released on May 18, 2014 where the boys announced they would be performing live in South Africa for the "very first time next year" on March 28th, 29th and April 1, 2015 in 2 different stadiums.

The Australian shows were announced during an interview on the Australian breakfast tv show "Today". Niall revealed they'd be playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in stadiums where some of the biggest sporting teams had also played.

The Singapore announcement video was released on May 19, 2014 revealing the date and location of the concert: March 11th and the "New National Stadium", respectively.

The Dubai announcement video was also released on May 19th and consists of the boys telling fans the date of the show (April 5, 2015) and to "keep up with up and all the news about our first ever Dubai show by liking One Direction Dubai on facebook".

The Japan announcement video was also released on May 19th, and in it they revealed they would be in Japan in February 2015 and expressed how "amazing it was last time" and that they "can't wait to be there again".
In the Thailand announcement video, which was also released on May 19th, they confirmed they would "finally" be playing in Bangkok in Rajamangala Stadium on March 14th.

In the Indonesia announcement, also released on May 19th, they said that they "can't wait to see you" and revealed the date (Wednesday, March 25, 2015) and the venue (Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno).
Hong Kong was also announced on May 19th. In the video, Harry said that "we cannot wait to come and see you" and revealed the date to be March 18, 2015.

On October 23, 2014, they tweeted, alongside the reminder of a 5th clip from the "Steal My Girl" video, that they had a special announcement" at 4pm. The tweet at 4pm revealed that they had released European and USA dates to the previously announced dates. On October 24th they released another set of dates for Canada.

## Developments

The tour setup did not significantly change after Zayn's departure in March. In the week before his official exit from the group, after being signed off for stress, the band left a space for him in many of their group set-ups, most notably in their formation during Harry's solo for "What Makes You Beautiful". During one performance, Liam placed his hand in the space where Zayn would usually be standing. After Malik's official exit, the group changed the formation several times, standing arm in arm for one performance, and back to back for another.

In the shows immediately after Zayn's departure, fans began bringing signs saying "Til The End" to shows, for the group to see. Liam acknowledged the signs during the Dubai April 4 show saying "Til the end, everybody. We are One Direction and we are here to stay".

On May 28, 2015, Niall confirmed on Twitter that the setlist had been changed for the European and North American legs, in order to feature more songs from Four.

On June 1, 2015, it was announced that the OTRA Tour would be presented in the USA by the Honda Civic Tour and that Swedish duo Icona Pop would be the support act.

On June 13, "No Control" and "18" were officially added to the setlist. On July 9, "Spaces" and "Act My Age" were officially added to the setlist, while "Strong" was removed. On July 15, "Spaces" was removed from the setlist.

On July 21, "Fireproof" was officially added to the setlist.  The concert was marred slightly by claims from online fans that the crowd appeared not lively enough. Liam tweeted "TBH (to be honest), I think every crowd we sing to is the loudest...I thought that was a good thing that worldwide you're the best fans?  Don't you? Never mind, thanks Edmonton, you were aces" in response to a meme referencing the claims.

On July 27 Honda Civic uploaded the first part of a tour diary video to One Direction's official YouTube page. On September 4, part 2 was uploaded and part 3 on October 8.

On July 31st less than 24 hours after its official release, "Drag Me Down" was officially added to the setlist. The band thanked fans for the overwhelming success the single garnered.

From the beginning of the UK leg, the setlist order was completely changed and "Infinity" was partially performed acoustically on September 24, after the band encountered technical difficulties during "Night Changes". Ed Sheeran's protege Jamie Lawson and American rock band Augustana were support acts.

On October 16, "Perfect" was officially added to the setlist, replacing "Diana".

On October 20, the Belfast concert was cancelled after Liam became too ill to perform. The cancellation was made at the last minute, after the support act had finished performing. Harry, Louis and Niall all tweeted shortly afterward, apologizing.

During the final concert in Sheffield, the band played "Act My Age" several times in a row while their family and staff danced in the front row. Liam's dad led a conga line through the crowd. As the show was ending, Harry and Louis hugged, marking their first public or on stage interaction in years.

## Opening Acts

1. *McBusted* (Australian leg)
2. *Samantha Jade* (Australian leg)
3. *5 Seconds of Summer* (Japan leg)
4. *McBusted* (European leg)
5. *Icona Pop* (US leg, except August 29, 2015)
6. *Jamie Lawson* (UK leg)
7. *Augustana* (US leg, August 29, 2015 & UK leg - September 28, 29, 30)

## Setlist

**Australian/Asian/African/Middle East Legs:**

1. "Clouds"
2. "Steal My Girl"
3. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
4. "Midnight Memories"
5. "Kiss You"
6. "Ready to Run"
7. "Happily"
8. "Strong"
9. "Better Than Words"
10. "Don't Forget Where You Belong"
11. "Little Things"
12. "Night Changes"
13. "Alive"
14. "Diana"
15. "One Thing"
16. "What Makes You Beautiful"
17. "Through The Dark"
18. "Girl Almighty"
19. "Story of My Life"
20. "You & I"
21. "Little White Lies"
22. "Best Song Ever"
23. "Stockholm Syndrome" (replaced "Happily" during the Asian leg of the tour.)

**European Leg:**

1. "Clouds"
2. "Steal My Girl"
3. "Little Black Dress"
4. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
5. "Midnight Memories (song)"
6. "Kiss You"
7. "Stockholm Syndrome"
8. "Ready To Run"
9. "Strong"
10. "Better Than Words"
11. "Don’t Forget Where You Belong"
12. "Little Things"
13. "18"
14. "Night Changes"
15. "Alive"
16. "Diana"
17. "No Control", (replaced One Thing)
18. "What Makes You Beautiful"
19. "Through The Dark"
20. "Girl Almighty"
21. "Story Of My Life"
22. "You & I"
23. "Little White Lies"
24. "Best Song Ever"

**North American Leg:**

1. "Clouds"
2. "Steal My Girl"
3. "Little Black Dress"
4. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
5. "Midnight Memories (song)"
6. "Kiss You"
7. "Stockholm Syndrome"
8. "Spaces" and Fireproof",
9. "Ready To Run"
10. "Better Than Words"
11. "Don’t Forget Where You Belong"
12. "Little Things"
13. "Night Changes"
14. "18"
15. "No Control"
16. "Drag Me Down", (replaced Alive)
17. "Diana"
18. "What Makes You Beautiful"
19. "Through The Dark"
20. "Girl Almighty"
21. "Story Of My Life"
22. "You & I"
23. "Act My Age",
24. "Little White Lies"
25. "Best Song Ever"

**UK Leg:**

1. "Clouds"
2. "Kiss You"
3. "Fireproof"
4. "Girl Almighty"
5. "Midnight Memories (song)"
6. "Better Than Words"
7. "Story Of My Life"
8. "Stockholm Syndrome"
9. "Ready To Run"
10. "Don't Forget Where You Belong"
11. "Night Changes"
12. "Little Things"
13. "Best Song Ever"
14. "No Control"
15. "Little Black Dress"
16. "You & I"
17. "Through The Dark"
18. "18"
19. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
20. "Little White Lies"
21. "Perfect" ("Diana" was performed until being replaced by "Perfect" on October 16)
22. "Steal My Girl"
23. "Act My Age"
24. "What Makes You Beautiful"
25. "Drag Me Down"

**NOTES and COVERS :**

* During the opening performance in Sydney and the performance in Perth on 20 February, the band performed a cover of "Uptown Funk!" by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars.

* During the performance in Osaka on February 25, the band performed a cover of "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams and "Stockholm Syndrome" was added to the setlist of the tour replacing "Happily".
* During the performance in Cardiff on June 06, the band performed a cover of "She Makes Me Wanna" by JLS.
* Since the performance in Brussels on June 13, "18" and "No Control" were added to the setlist of the tour, replacing "One Thing".

* During the performance in Helsinki on June 27, "Strong" was performed for last time.
* Since the performance in San Diego on July 09, "Act My Age" was added to the setlist of the tour.
* During the performance in Vancouver on July 17, the band performed a cover of "Happy Birthday" by Mildred J. Hill and of "Started from the Bottom" by Drake.
* Since the performance in Edmonton on July 21, "Fireproof" was finally added to the setlist of the tour.

* During the performance in Winnipeg on July 24, the band performed a cover of "Happy Birthday" by Mildred J. Hill and Liam Payne one of "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias.
* During the performance in Indianapolis on July 31, "Drag Me Down" was performed for the first time and was added to the setlist of the tour replacing "Alive" and "Happy Birthday" by Mildred J. Hill was covered again.
* During the performance in Detroit on August 29 and the performance in Foxborough on September 12, Liam Payne and Niall Horan, respectively, made a cover of "22" by Taylor Swift, because of the 22nd birthday of both.
* During the performance in Philadelphia on September 01, the band performed a cover of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" by Will Smith.
* During the performances in London on 24 and 25 September, the band performed a cover of "Happy Birthday" by Mildred J. Hill once again.
* During the second Europe's leg the order of the songs was reformed and in the opening performance in London "Infinity" was performed for the first time.
* During the performance in Newcastle on October 26, Niall Horan performed an acoustic version of "Home", song included in the *Perfect* EP.

## Tour Dates

### Asia

 Tue
 Wed
 Fri
 Sat

 Sat

### Africa

 Sat
 Sun

 Wed

### Europe

(On Sat June 6th, One Direction performed at the 2015 Capital FM Summertime Ball, as well as their scheduled tour date later that night)

### UK and Ireland

On September 22, 2015, One Direction performed at the Apple Music Festival in London.

### Cancelled shows

\* *Indicates Zayn's final appearance on the tour and as a member of One Direction.*
## References

1. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6523935/one-direction-hot-tours
2. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6641789/boxscore-midyear-2015-touring-report-one-direction-foo-fighters
3. ↑ 'One Direction Sizzles Atop Latest Hot Tours Tally'
4. ↑ Pollstarpro
5. ↑ YouTube.com YouTube announcement of Philippines' concert
6. ↑ YouTube.com YouTube announcement of the South Africa concerts
7. ↑ YouTube.com 'Today' interview announcement of the Australian concerts
8. ↑ YouTube.com YouTube announcement of the Singapore concert
9. ↑ YouTube YouTube announcement of Dubai(UAE) concert
10. ↑ YouTube YouTube announcement of the Japan concerts
11. ↑ YouTube YouTube announcement of the Thailand concert
12. ↑ YouTube YouTube announcement of the Indonesian concert
13. ↑ YouTube YouTube announcement of the Hong Kong concert
14. ↑ Twitter.com Official One Direction Twitter account Steal My Girl fifth teaser
15. ↑ Twitter.com Official One Direction Twitter account European and USA dates added
16. ↑ Twitter.com Official One Direction Twitter account Canadian dates
17. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmtfh9sRuw
18. ↑ https://twitter.com/NiallOfficial/status/603895315121442816
19. ↑ http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LA21775.htm