[Event] Okay-Pop Breakout Tour stops in Los Angeles with ICHILLIN’, CRAXY, and TRENDZ, who assist set a brand new commonplace for selection concert events

Okay-pop selection concert events could be onerous to tug off. From an artist standpoint, organizers want to determine which of them to ask, verify their availability, and whether or not they’re common sufficient to attract a crowd. On prime of that, organizers must additionally determine how lengthy every set is, offering sufficient time for every artist to really feel like a considerable sufficient addition to the live performance.

After I attended the primary Krazy Tremendous Live performance final yr in New York, what I discovered was a disorganized mess. The logistics and seating preparations have been complicated, and the precise performances have been mediocre at greatest regardless of having powerhouses like IVE, MONSTA X’s Shownu and Hyungwon, and Kwon Eun Bi. The artists themselves have been advantageous, however all of them performed quick units and each felt like an appetizer to a meal that by no means got here. However there was potential within the idea, though I ended up not going to the range present this yr in Lengthy Seashore attributable to private causes.

Now Leo Presents is taking the range present format to carry over Okay-pop “nugu” acts that in any other case most definitely would by no means have had the prospect to tour in North America. This primary attempt included solo artist U_Chae (previously of woman group PIXY), ICHILLIN’, CRAXY, and TRENDZ. I used to be in Los Angeles this previous week on a enterprise journey, so why not verify them out whereas I used to be on the town?

The tour’s cease in Los Angeles passed off on the Catch One nightclub, which gave the present an area indie type of really feel to it already.

U_Chae opened the present and sadly, it was a little bit of a flat begin. She solely carried out 4 songs, which have been “Wait For You,” “Awake,” “Alright,” and “One Candy Day.” Whereas I’m positive U_Chae and PIXY’s followers have been delighted to see her carry out, her set didn’t actually have a lot momentum, having related points to Krazy Tremendous Live performance. As a solo artist, she additionally didn’t have the posh of falling again on masking PIXY songs so as to add some additional time to her set like how ARTMS was ready to take action with LOONA songs. And I believe she would’ve been a greater match on a future tour the place she’d be extra established.

That mentioned, I’ll give her credit score for singing fully dwell, as I used to be impressed by her vocals.

Subsequent up was ICHILLIN’, who have been many of the purpose I attended the present within the first place. As a fan of the group, I is perhaps biased right here, however that they had a a lot better displaying. The group completely balanced their set by opening with their very own “Kickstart,” “Bought’Ya,” and “Alarm” songs, after which including just a few quick dance covers to tracks akin to Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too,” Stray Children’ “Chk Chk Increase,” and KISS OF LIFE’s “Sticky.”

To shut, they carried out “Siren,” “Demigod,” “On My Lips,” and “La Luna.” Total, ICHILLIN’ had probably the most spectacular setlist right here, with each track transitioning easily into the subsequent, and the distribution felt very even.

What additionally made this tour cease particular is that Los Angeles is Joonie and Jackie’s hometown, so their households have been on the present to help them. This added a very candy and private contact to this specific present.

Talking of Joonie, I obtained to take a selfie together with her! Look how fairly and cute she is:

CRAXY was subsequent up, and with performing songs like “Loopy Racer,” “Masquerade,” and “No Restrict,” the group introduced a way more tomboy and hip-hop vibe that felt refreshing after ICHILLIN’s pop sensibilities. It’s one factor to take heed to the group’s songs on Spotify or YouTube, however it’s a very completely different feeling experiencing them dwell.

The women had an electrifying power that permeated all through the gang and so they have been nice at interacting with followers. I nonetheless can’t imagine CRAXY has a track referred to as “Nugudom”, the place they take satisfaction of their nugu standing, however man the track is much more of a banger in-person.

TRENDZ closed the present, and to be fully trustworthy, I wasn’t very acquainted with their songs as I don’t take heed to boy teams as typically as I do woman teams. Nevertheless, that they had a commanding stage presence, which is perhaps attributable to them being the one boy group on the tour.

One side of their setlist that stood out to me was that that they had extra subunit-like and solo performances than the opposite teams. Their rap line (Yechan, HanKook, and ra.L) carried out just a few songs collectively, and Eunil did a dance cowl of Jungkook’s “3D“.

My unfamiliarity with TRENDZ additionally highlights one other potential downside with selection concert events: not each attendee will likely be a fan of all the teams. Nevertheless, this additionally offers the prospect to transform new followers. I didn’t come primarily for CRAXY and TRENDZ, however after seeing them dwell, I’ll give them extra listens sooner or later and hopefully they’ll develop on me.

The live performance itself was a well-oiled machine, with little downtime between every act. They carried out for what felt like roughly 40 minutes (other than U_Chae), and every set felt like they have been at the very least value your time and a spotlight. Your entire present ran for about three hours and I undoubtedly felt like I obtained my cash’s value out of it.

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Total, the primary Okay-Pop Breakout Tour was a strong first try, and I can undoubtedly see potential right here sooner or later as a method to carry different nugu teams over to America for their very own excursions. God is aware of I’d pay to see teams like LIGHTSUM and WOOAH dwell below this format.

My solely fear is that if this format is profitable, then the tour may develop into bloated because the organizers could need to carry on further artists directly. A part of what made the Breakout Tour so profitable is that the organizers caught with simply 4 teams/artists, which gave them ample time to carry out their songs. Including extra cooks to the kitchen will solely simply lower how a lot time every group has the highlight for, although to date so good.