K-pop group ATEEZ returned to LA for their fourth world tour, Towards the Light: Will to
Power. Continuing the momentum from their Coachella debut earlier in the year, the eight members
hosted the first of two nights at the outdoor BMO Stadium on July 20. Fans, known as ATINY, were lined up early for sound check and tour merchandise, much of which sold out quickly. Fans were most excited for the baseball jerseys, which were all completely out at the Hello82 pop up store.
Opening for ATEEZ, BE:FIRST—a seven-member Japanese group—performed a set of three songs to warm up the audience for what was to come. ATINY gave enthusiastic support to the performers, who
danced, jumped, and rapped their hits: “Mainstream,” “Boom Boom Back,” and “Masterplan.” Although fans of both groups hoped the two bands would join forces on stage for their collaboration song, “Hush Hush,” they didn’t end up being able to do that since the next two and a half hours were a jam-packed, non-stop high-octane spectacle.
Ready with heavily decorated LIGHTINY light sticks, the crowd’s cheers swelled and exploded into
uncontrollable excitement. The production spared no expense for clothing, pyrotechnics, confetti, and
fireworks as ATEEZ and their staff put together a grand slam opening. Featured at center stage, an
almost three-story high tower housed a projection ball, symbolizing the light that draws one to it. As
smoke and pyrotechnics started off “Crazy Form,” all members—Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho,
Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho—burst onstage donning elaborate, white regal outfits.
Despite the fanciful nature of their pearl-lined clothes, the eight members effortlessly leaped and
kicked as they beckoned ATINY to “Say My Name.”
While still early in their show, the members already made their first costume change before performing
their hit tracks from THE WORLD EP1 and EP2. Making sure that ATINYs “Wake Up,” ATEEZ growled and maneuvered through their spellbinding onstage arrangement. In addition to their vocal and physical prowess, ATEEZ showed off their acting skills with theatrics. Immediately transitioning to their 2022 smash hit, “Guerilla,” Hongjoong played a guitar solo on a makeshift stage lined with surveillance cameras and a siren. As he hollered the opening lines, the other members carried the energy towards Jongho’s impressive high note before the chorus. ATINY broke the sound barrier as the entire stadium shook and screeched the thundering command: “Break that wall!”
As if that weren’t enough, the show was barely getting started. Taking a quick pause, ATEEZ introduced themselves and expressed their gratitude to the fans who have brought them around the world in front of endless sold-out concerts. San, who always makes time for fanservice, barked into his mic to encourage ATINY to do the same. Jongho commented how LA feels like home, and the others chimed in to agree that it’s indeed their second home. Bringing back up the mood, Mingi drew attention with his solo rap transition to the mesmerizing EDM track, “Cyberpunk.”
The latter half of the show consisted of solos and subunit performances, from melodic ballads to
impressive dance routines. In contrast to the demanding choreography of their earlier songs, ATEEZ
took time to engage fans and showed ATINY the looser, more fun side of their group. After the
lightheartedness of “Wave,” Yunho and Mingi surprised fans with an adlibbed telephone conversation
and ended the acting bit with their iconic head spin.
It’s clear the strong bond between the eight members has kept them motivated for the past eight years. During the emotional and self-reflective track of “Dancing Like Butterfly Wings,” they chanted their legendary catchphrase together, “8 Makes 1 Team!”
Closing out the final act in their concert, ATEEZ brought the dynamic, story-driven set pieces from their Coachella stage sets. For those who couldn’t make it to the hot desert in April, the members reenacted their performances for “ARRIBA” and “DJANGO.” The members gleefully enjoyed the dramatic narrative of the two tracks, playing in their costumes like high school theatre kids. Of course, it wouldn’t be an ATEEZ concert without the up and down motions of “BOUNCY.” Even though fans would expect the members to be exhausted by all the popping and locking motions, the eight members held strong for their final song. Driving home their love for the stage, the members took the stadium on an adventure on the treacherous high seas. Similar to their Coachella stage, Seonghwa swiftly slayed the kraken tentacles with several swings of his sword.
Once the lights dimmed and the tower pillar lit up in the colors of the American flag, ATINY immediately shouted for an encore. A short VCR played as a promise from ATEEZ to their fans: “We will be by your side. The light is within you.” After all the pyrotechnics, costume changes, and confetti cannons, the members finally said their goodbyes before commencing the show-ending fireworks. “It’s been eight years, but it feels like just yesterday the eight members learned to dance,” said Hongjoong. “It’s such a big venue to be dancing and singing together. But you know, it doesn’t stop there. Let’s keep shining together.”
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
