K-pop group Fifty Fifty brought their signature dream pop sound to the Tabernacle in Atlanta. Dressed in bulky sweatshirts and spandex-lined skirts that evoked cheerleader vibes, the members Keena, Chanelle Moon, Yewon, Hana and Athena, treated the stage as their own personal playground. A group seemingly built for live performances, Fifty Fifty astounded the crowd with the exceptional quality of their vocals.
Tunes like the opener “Starry Night”, “When You Say My Name”, and “Lovin’ Me”, sounded unbelievable live, as they were indistinguishable from their recorded versions. In between tracks, the members engaged in wholesome banter with the all-ages crowd. In one particularly memorable moment, after struggling to decipher a fan’s name after five attempts, Chanelle Moon charmingly told the fan that, despite still not knowing her name, she could never forget her.
As a recently reorganized group with a limited discography, Fifty Fifty supplemented their setlist with a selection of covers. Yewon’s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” was an anthemic crowdpleaser, albeit a bit safe. In contrast, Chanelle Moon’s solo cover of Cee-Lo’s “F- You” was a standout – a bold, risky and unexpected treasure. Despite some momentary lapses that could be attributed to their limited stage experience, Fifty Fifty performed with well-trained precision.
Perhaps the most notable exhibition of Fifty Fifty’s star quality was their ability to fill the stage and hold the audience’s attention despite performing on the most minimal stage imaginable. Although a few songs were enhanced with the addition of a table or set of chairs, the stage for the most part was completely bare, reminiscent of a high school talent show. But with the vocal prowess of Fifty Fifty, it hardly mattered.
By the time they belted out songs like “Gravity” and “Push Your Love” and paid homage to Olivia Rodrigo with a cover of “Driver’s License”, the crowd – much to leader Keena’s delight – was completely enraptured. Saving the most popular hits for last, Fifty Fifty performed a double encore of their hits, “Cupid” and “SOS”, which truly sent the fans over the top and had the entire venue singing in unison.
