Theres nothing like a boyband concert. The excitement, the comradery, the fan chants, the deafening screams when the stars walk on stage.
But while BTSs London concert encompassed all of these factors, you got the feeling that this wasnt just any boyband concert.
The Korean boyband last night performed their first of two sold-out dates at Londons O2 Arena – their first UK gig.
Those unfamiliar to the K-pop kings may think this means BTS are an overnight success; the latest flash in the pan group of heartthrobs sending teens into a frenzy.
But RM, V, Jungkook, Jimin, Jin, Suga and J-Hope have been working towards world domination for five years, and their London concert proved that they are succeeding.
Fans – the devoted ARMYs – queued outside the O2 from the early hours of the morning, waiting for the doors to open at 5pm – before waiting another three and a half hours for the concert to begin. Many of these fans were armed with official lightsticks, which are specially programmed to light up at certain points during BTSs setlist, providing an incredible scene within the O2.
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With the stratospheric rise of BTS in the western world over the past year, much of the conversation has been centred on the ARMYs – and they do deserve it. The fandom is so devoted to the group and fellow ARMYs, and are a fascinating force to be reckoned with. But last night, it was all about BTS themselves.
Coming out to the opening bars of their latest single IDOL, the boys emerged from the floor to unleash their killer moves on the audience – all except poor Jungkook.
The youngest member of the group (or maknae) injured his heel in rehearsals and was forced to carry out the show on a stool placed on a moving platform. This was obviously devastating to Jungkook – but his perseverance and the comradery in the band made the night even more special.
Despite all of the intricate choreography and staging that was in place, the rest of the group werent about to abandon Jungkook, and one of them was always back on the main stage with the singer. They were small gestures – singing their lines to his face, patting him on the back – but the touching moments showed that the boys are friends and bandmates first, superstars second.
And Jungkooks heel didnt harm any vocals, which were displayed through an epic setlist that spanned BTSs five-year history.
From older cuts including Save Me, Fire and Dope, to Love Yourself: Tear and Answer tracks Magic Shop, Trivia: Just Dance and FAKE LOVE, there was never a lull in the setlist, with every performance injected with style and energy.
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Each member also got to show off their personal talents with their solo performances – Jungkook singing Euphoria, Jimin singing Serendipity, Jin performing Epiphany, RM taking on Trivia: Love, V performing Singularity, Suga singing Trivia: Seesaw, and J-Hope taking on Trivia: Just Dance – meaning the ARMYs got a chance to rep their bias.
BTS Love Yourself setlist
IDOL
Save ME
Magic Shop
Trivia: Just Dance
Euphoria
Serendipity
Trivia: Love
DNA
I Need U
RUN
Boyz With Fun
Fire
Silver Spoon
Dope
Airplane pt.2
Singularity
FAKE LOVE (Rock Version)
Trivia: Seesaw
Epiphany
The Truth Untold
Outro: Tear
MIC Drop
So What
Anpanman
Answer: Love Myself
For their encore, BTS returned to raise the roof with So What and Anpanman – but even this banger became emotional as Jungkook broke down in tears over his injury. Jimin ran straight to him to comfort him, and Jungkook joined the others at the end of the runway for the finale, Answer: Love Myself.
Each member spoke to the audience, with leader RM translating from Korean into English. Thats another thing about BTS – despite their global stardom, they havent watered down their Korean culture to make it. The entire audience sang along, whether they knew Korean or not, soaking in a language and a culture they may never have had access to before via seven handsome popstars with killer dance moves and catchy choruses.
You may be baffled by the devotion of some fans, or interested in the treatment of idols in the always-moving K-pop industry, or confused by the evolution of pop music. But upon leaving a BTS concert, you cant help but realise that theres a new generation of showmen in town – and youll want to sign up to the ARMY immediately.
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