Show Review: ITZY @ WAMU Theater

ITZY Dazzles Seattle Fans on North American Tour Opening Night

ITZY Seattle 2024
ITZY – Photo Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

June 6, 2024 — ITZY dazzled Seattle fans with the opening night of their 2nd World Tour, “Born To Be.” The sold-out show at the WAMU Theater was filled with MIDZY (ITZY fans) of diverse ages and backgrounds. Once again, Seattle solidified its reputation as a solid fanbase for K-pop music.

The two-and-a-half-hour show had fans on their feet almost the entire time, with short seated breaks to watch VCRs while members changed costumes and prepared for their next theme.

ITZY kicked off the show with their 2024 release title “Born To Be,” igniting the audience in loud cheers. The setlist was extensive, featuring new music and older hits for fans to enjoy. They performed all the new songs from “Born To Be” except “Blossom” since Lia is currently on hiatus.

The show was divided into four acts and an encore, each theme showcasing different aspects of the group and its members, from fierce and fiery to aegyo (애교), street-style dance, and solo performances. The group was often joined by an entourage of dancers who elevated the visuals and energy, providing top-notch entertainment.

The visuals were full of colorful imagery, ranging from fun and cute bright colors to darker, moodier tones. The digital backdrop alternated between colors, graphics, video, and live footage of the performers, helping those in the back of the venue feel up close to each artist.

A notable addition to this tour was the live band, allowing each vocalist to showcase their true talent with live vocals. This proved that not all K-pop performances are pre-recorded or lip-synced. The live music added depth to their sound, elevating the overall performance.

During one of the breaks, there was an interactive dance-off where fans in the audience were singled out and had a moment to dance on the big screen to different songs, sharing their affection for the band.

ITZY Seattle 2024
ITZY – Photo Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

The evening closed with each ITZY member thanking the MIDZY for their support over the years and celebrating Chaeryeong’s birthday, which was the day before the show. Everyone in the venue received an ITZY banner before the show, and the group posed for a photo with the audience, banners raised high. They concluded the show with “DALLA DALLA” and a final goodbye, accompanied by blasts of pink heart-shaped confetti and cheers from the audience.

ITZY’s North American tour includes ten dates, wrapping up on June 28, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario, CA. This performance is a must-see for those who love high-energy and great live music. Make sure to catch one of these shows to experience it yourself.

Setlist:

Act I
BORN TO BE (Extended intro)
RACER
KIDDING ME
Ment 1
Mr. Vampire
SWIPE
WANNABE (Extended dance break intro)

Act II (Solos)
VCR
Mine (Chaeryeong solo)
Run Away (Ryujin solo)
Yet, but (Yuna solo)
Crown on My Head (Yeji solo, extended outro)

Act III
VCR
UNTOUCHABLE (Extended intro)
Gas Me Up
Dynamite
Ment 2
Psychic Lover
Don’t Give a What
LOCO (Dancers extended outro)

Act IV
Not Shy (Extended band intro)
CAKE
SNEAKERS (Chanting outro)
Ment 3
Kill Shot
Escalator (Extended outro)

Encore:
MIDZY Encore VCR
LOVE is
Be in Love
Ment 4
DOMINO (Seattle MIDZY Project)
Boys Like You
DALLA DALLA (Extended outro)

Full list of tour dates below.

ITZY 2nd World Tour Born To Be North America 2024

Photos: Emmy Meli @ Barboza

Emmy Meli @ Barboza – 6/6/2024
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Soulful singer Emmy Meli opened for Alexander Stewart at a sold-out show at Barboza.  Her set was filled with audience participation and interaction from start to finish.  Everyone sang along on songs from her debut EP, Hello Stranger, released last month, and Emmy was surprised with a bracelet whose lettered beads spelling “EMMY”.  She split the audience in half and had each group compete during “Breakthrough“ by yelling the song name on her cue.  Emmy closed her warmly received performance with “I Am Women”, which has been streamed over 300M times!

Emmy Meli  – Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Photos: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors @ the Neptune

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors @ the Neptune – 5/7/24
Photos by Emma Hanks

Drew Holcomb

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, a band excelling in the Americana genre, headlined the Neptune in March. The Find Your People Tour charmed fans from Kentucky to Solana Beach to Nashville. Named after their song, “Find Your People,” it incorporated the spirit of that song, whose words include: In a world of strangers, you don’t know who to trust/ All you see is danger, tryna find what you lost/ You can’t go it alone, everybody needs help/You gotta find your people, then you’ll find yourself.

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors

Show Review: Tomorrow X Together @ Tacoma Dome

May 14, 2024 – K-Pop idols Tomorrow X Together, comprised of Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai, set the Tacoma Dome ablaze on the opening night of their USA Act: Promise North American tour.

The near full-capacity show was packed with MOAs (Moments of Alwaysness, the TXT fanbase) of all ages, with their coordinated lightsticks in hand. Fans were cheering and eagerly anticipating the start of the show.

The stage setup was a massive production, extending midway into the main floor to give every fan an up-close experience. Members leaned down toward the audience while singing, and confetti blasters showered the crowd in colorful streams. One section of the stage even elevated during some songs, adding layers of excitement as members moved on and off stage for costume changes.

Between songs, themed videos showcased each member and set the ambiance for the next performance. Costume changes aligned with each set’s theme, ranging from casual street style and coordinated black-and-white outfits with hooded capes to traditional hanbok and edgy leather for the more intense numbers.

Throughout the show, the group engaged with the audience, sharing their excitement about their first USA tour, discussing their songs, and enjoying playful interactions. At one point, the audience chanted, “TXT, I love you, Moments of Alwaysness,” showcasing the notorious volume of Seattle/Tacoma fans.

The setlist was long and packed with new music from their latest releases, the 6th Mini Album ‘minisode3: Tomorrow’ and ‘minisode 3: Tomorrow with Remixes’, as well as older fan favorites since the group’s debut in 2019. A highlight was Yeonjun and Soobin’s smoldering dance routine for ‘The KILLA (I Belong to You)’, which drew some of the loudest screams of the night, clearly winning the audience’s approval.

The show lasted a little over two hours, featuring spectacular laser lighting, fog, pyrotechnics, and dynamic lighting effects. When they announced their final song, ‘See You There Tomorrow,’ fans erupted in cheers and danced in celebration. As the group said their farewells and left the stage, some fans began to leave, only to realize an encore was coming. Seasoned fans know never to leave a K-Pop show when the “last song” is announced for the first time, and this show was no exception.

Tomorrow X Together continues their first USA tour as part of their world tour, Act: Promise, through early June. It’s definitely a show worth seeing, promising to leave you with lasting memories.

Act Promise USA Tour Dates:
14 MAY 2024. Tacoma, WA.
18 MAY 2024. Oakland, CA.
21 MAY 2024. Los Angeles, CA.
22 MAY 2024. Los Angeles, CA.
26 MAY 2024. Houston, TX.
29 MAY 2024. Atlanta, GA.
01 JUNE 2024. New York, NY.
02 JUNE 2024. New York, NY.
05 JUNE 2024. Rosemont, IL.
06 JUNE 2024. Rosemont, IL.
08 JUNE 2024. Washington, DC.

TACOMA SETLIST:
Deja Vu
9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)
0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)
Devil by the Window
Sugar Rush Ride
Farewell, Neverland
Chasing That Feeling
Magic
New Rules
LO$ER=LO♡ER
Ghosting
Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go
Trust Fund Baby
Quarter Life
The Killa (I Belong to You)
Back for More (TOMORROW X TOGETHER & Anitta cover) (txt ver.)
Tinnitus (Wanna be a rock) (dance break ver.)
PUMA
Good Boy Gone Bad
Growing Pain
Dreamer
Deep Down
I’ll See You There Tomorrow

Encore:
Magic Island
Miracle
Cat & Dog (english ver.)
MOA Diary (Dubaddu Wari Wari)

*Images provided by HYBE

Show Review: Nicki Minaj @ Climate Pledge Arena

March 10th, Award-winning rapper and hip-hop sensation Nicki Minaj electrified Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena with her Pink Friday 2 Tour, marking her first performance in the city since 2012. The sold-out show transformed the arena into a vibrant sea of pink, with fans decked out in the tour’s signature color, celebrating Minaj’s triumphant return.

Nicki Minaj, a frequent nominee and winner at prestigious award shows like the AMAs, BET Awards, ASCAP Awards, Grammys, Billboard Awards, and People’s Choice Awards, continues to dominate the music scene. Her 2023 album, ‘Pink Friday 2’, has been a massive success, and the Barbz (Minaj’s loyal fans) were thrilled to hear many of its tracks featured in the night’s setlist, alongside her greatest hits from over the years.

The Pink Friday 2 Tour is an ambitious 56-date world tour, with numerous shows already sold out, highlighting Minaj’s global appeal. The evening kicked off with a DJ spinning a mix of modern and old-school jams, setting the mood with dance-offs on the main floor. Even the Backstreet Boys made it onto the playlist, ensuring there was something for everyone, including those less familiar with Minaj’s music.

The stage setup was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a massive three-level structure and a runway extending three-quarters the length of the main floor. The lighting, drenched in shades of pink, blue, and red, added to the vibrant atmosphere.

Minaj made a dazzling entrance in a figure-hugging glittery dress with a dramatic train, which she soon swapped for a stunning bodysuit paired with matching glitter boots. Throughout the performance, she was accompanied by energetic dancers who kept the crowd’s energy levels sky-high.

Engaging with the audience, Minaj frequently strutted and danced along the runway, bringing herself closer to the fans who danced and sang along with hands raised high. The setlist was an impressive 35-song marathon, featuring a break during which artists Monica and Tyga took the stage, performing six and five songs respectively, giving Minaj a well-deserved breather.

As the show drew to a close, Minaj paused to express her gratitude to the Seattle crowd, saying, “Seattle, you were everything I dreamed.” Her heartfelt words were the perfect ending to a night filled with unforgettable performances and a palpable sense of excitement.

Seattle Setlist:

Set 1:
Gag City (Song played from tape)
I’m the Best
Barbie Dangerous
FTCU
Beep Beep
Hard White
Press Play
Win Again
We Go Up
Big Difference
Pink Birthday
Feeling Myself
Favorite
Cowgirl
RNB
High School
Needle
Ganja Burn (video interlude)
Chun-Li
Red Ruby Da Sleeze
Forward From Trini / Black Barbies
Barbie World (Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua cover)
Roman’s Revenge
Monster (Kanye West cover)
Are You Gone Already (video interlude)
Fallin 4 U
Right Thru Me
Save Me
Here I Am
Let Me Calm Down
Nicki Hendrix

Set 2:
Super Freaky Girl
Anaconda
Pink Friday Girls
Super Bass
Play Video
The Night Is Still Young
Moment 4 Life
Starships

Encore:
Everybody