K-pop girl group, tripleS, returned to North America in February as part of their <tripleS Come True> world tour. On the group’s second tour in North America, these performances featured a different lineup of eight members this time around. NaKyung, JooBin, HaYeon, Sullin and SeoAh, who are touring North America for the first time, joined DaHyun, Nien, and SeoYeon, the members who participated in the last tour. In addition to the refreshed lineup, the tour offered fans an updated setlist, chock full of the group’s latest songs.
On February 3, fans, known as WAV, lined up for hours on a chilly, windy afternoon for the New York show. VIP benefits included a hi touch, signed poster, and a physical objekt set (MODHAUS’ NFT photocards), but it’s worth noting that soundcheck was not part of the package. Based on the line outside the venue, that exclusion didn’t keep fans from purchasing VIP benefits to meet their idols. Not long before showtime, attendees filled the venue up to about half capacity. Fans who had purchased balcony seats were able to move down to the floor to fill up the space and create a more intimate show.
While the first tour served as an introduction to the group, this tour showcased tripleS’ sizable and diverse discography. Half the show featured oldies but goodies like “Generation,” “Rising,” and “Girls’ Capitalism,” and the other half focused on new songs that dropped since the last tour. This included one of their most anticipated songs of the night, “Girls Never Die.” This song is the title track of the group’s first full length album, ASSEMBLE24, which features all 24 members. Continuing the group’s affinity to add “la la la” motifs in their songs, the track also earned the group their first win on a music show in Korea. Although the original choreography was designed for all 24 members, it was well adapted to showcase the eight performers that night, giving each member moments to shine. The smooth delivery of dreamy sounding vocals, catchy chorus, and sharp choreography made this one of the most memorable songs during the concert.
To contrast fast, dance-based performances of songs such as “Invincible” and “Rising,” the group also showcased more of their vocal abilities in slow songs like “Door.” This was the first single released by tripleS’ first ballad sub-unit, Aria, it was written by the soloist Heize specifically for tripleS. Performed by SeoYeon, Dahyun, Nien, HaYeon, and NaKyung, it is the quintessential K-pop ballad featuring emotional vocals to light piano and percussion instrumentals. The song accentuates the singers’ strong vocals through a plethora of long drawn out notes and instrumental pauses that allowed listeners to focus on their voices. DaHyun, being the group’s main vocalist, easily showed off her powerful yet stable voice. That did not mean that the other members just stood idly by, however. Each member showed off their own vocal talent as they put on a beautiful performance, drawing the audience into their emotive singing.
All in all, tripleS delighted fans in New York with a show that combined fan favorites and new music. Although this tour’s lineup was not an official subunit like their previous tour, tripleS was able to demonstrate the strength of their teamwork through their cohesive performances that night. Each member on tour impressed the crowd with their individual charms and expressive performances, leaving fans filled with anticipation for which members might tour next.
