My first official K-pop concert!!!
Yes, technically I saw Stray Kids last weekend, but that was part of a music festival. Seeing ATEEZ back in the same city this weekend was almost three hours dedicated to the band, and I think that is truly how you’re meant to experience K-pop. In unusual fashion, the show started promptly and with no opening acts. It was ATEEZ straight all the way through. They were truly telling a cohesive story with the songs chose, interspersed dance numbers, video clips, and just general themes. Even though the Chicago stop was the last of the tour, the members really seemed to give it their all for each number and sometimes with not much of a break in between intricate and challenging songs!
Opening the show with “Crazy Form” really set the mood for the crowd for the rest of the show. It’s a high energy and chaotic show, and everything these guys did elicited some of the most ear-piercing screams I have ever heard. Thank goodness for ear plugs. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I had some hardcore “woos” for my favorite songs of the set, but my old ass is nothing in comparison to the younger crowd. Seeing “Cyberpunk” live was quite thrilling, and being a newer fan of songs like “Silver Light,” “This World,” and “Wake Up” was amazing to see almost back to back.
I like how they also split up into units and we got their “special” songs. “It’s You” was hella sexy, where “Youth” was playful and fun, “Everything” was the soulful ballad break, and “MATZ” was truly on fire. I freaking love “MATZ” and it was freaking awesome to witness in person. Equally hype was “Bouncy.” The crowd, myself included, went absolutely bananas for that performance. “Work” also got a similarly excited reaction from me and the rest of the room, and the guys seemed to be having so much fun with it. “Arriba” and “Dancing Like Butterfly Wings” I think will always be some of the groups most favorite performances, so I’ll be interested to see what sticks in future tours. I think it would be hard to tailor some of their most popular songs into a set list if they are sticking really hard to a certain theme.
Of course, I think I’m allowed to be disappointed in not hearing some of my other favorite songs like “The Leaders,” “Aurora,” and ‘Thanxx,” but with a discography as large as theirs I knew it was impossible to experience them all. I can only hope there’s a little bit of variety in future performances. Seeing everyone with their programmed light sticks almost had me considering caving a few times over the course of the show, but I got enough freebies to tame that impulse. It was great hearing an equal amount of love for all the members, and they themselves seemed to be really moved by the love they were getting. I was impressed with the English being thrown out many times throughout the show and commend them for doing so. What major milestones to be accomplishing over here!
All I can say is that seeing them for the first time just has me hungry for more and I know I will be fighting for the best tickets out there next time!
