BTS at Wembley review: K-Pop kings give slick London show a dazzling stadium-sized makeover

By Deputy Chief EditorJune 3, 2019

155 2 minutes read

BTS on stage at Wembley Stadium — (Picture: Big Hit Entertainment)

A couple of hours before K-pop group BTS took to the stage at Wembley Stadium, member Suga told press they wanted to create a festival feel for their show this time around, and their first night at the stadium definitely delivered that.

While they are no strangers to huge venues, it was the first time Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin and V were playing Wembley, joining the ranks of U2, Beyonce and Adele.

So it was fitting that the London leg of their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour stood up to the surroundings.

Kicking off with a bone-shaking performance of Dionysus (one of the nights highlights), the stage was decked out with huge Greek pillars and lunging silver panthers. The increased number of dancers made stadium-friendly bangers Not Today and IDOL look really impressive.

Jungkook, who looked over the moon to be able to dance with his members after an injury last year, took flight over the standing crowd in a tender performance of Euphoria. Anpanman also got a fun upgrade with inflatable slides rising out of the floor for the boys to muck about on.

However, other than four songs from new album Map Of The Soul: Persona, little had changed from their tour last year, even the cute unit videos between sections. But thats unsurprising when you think their feet have barely touched the ground since Love Yourself.

Any other artist would be in danger of losing their audience with a samey show, but BTS arent any other artist. They kept their energy and passion up right through the 24-song setlist.

BTS (l-r): Suga, Jungkook, J-Hope, RM, V, Jin and Jimin (Picture: Big Hit Entertainment)

Weirdly, Boy With Luv, their recent single, came across the weakest as the older songs just went so hard. The rapline, boosted by their surroundings, breathed new life into Tear while MIC Drop was a solid reminder as to why they blew up.

Love Yourself: Speak Yourself at Wembley was streamed live online, and the global ARMY who couldnt be in the sold-out stadium werent forgotten. Clever flourishes to the camera work – like holographic hearts appearing around RM during his solo – made them feel included.

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Ultimately the fans are what make it all worth it for BTS. They know they are loved globally, and couldnt thank their fans enough for getting them to such a historic spot. And ARMY would do anything for them, even sit through what was basically a shinier version of their 2018 show at The O2.

It was touching to see them recognise what it meant to be standing at Wembley Stadium. An emotional RM noted in his ending speech that they had broken the wall of the UK music scene, which they all look up to but felt they would never get into. After that performance, were sure that phone call from Paul McCartney is on its way, boys.