Three years after MAMAMOO’s last US tour, fans, known as Moomoo, turned up with their moo (white Korean radish) lightsticks in hand for the group’s first ever show in San Jose at the SAP Center. The four-member vocal powerhouse group kicked off the show with a flashy entrance to their debut track “Mr. Ambiguous.” Dressed in glittery black outfits, MAMAMOO commanded the crowd’s attention, unleashing a dazzling array of vocal flourishes over the jazzy track with the grandeur of a theatrical show. The Latin-inspired “Egotistic” shifted the atmosphere into something more fiery, as they sang about leaving an “egotistic” lover over its rhythmic, dramatic sound. These tracks made for a powerful start to the show, putting their arresting vocals front and center, with their light choreography elevating the performances.
MAMAMOO brought listeners back to their signature jazz pop sound from their early days with “Piano Man.” The piano-led arrangement turned the venue into a cabaret lounge, as the members coyly sang and danced across the stage. While concertgoers left most of the singing to MAMAMOO throughout the show, fans couldn’t resist yelling “I feel good” during the chorus of “Decalcomanie.” The singers frequently pointed their mics to the crowd, inviting the audience to join in. The song’s deep soulful funk sound, showed off the group’s charismatic and mature side.
As fun as it was to see MAMAMOO perform choreography, one of their most impressive songs of the night was the powerful R&B ballad “I Miss You,” where they simply took their places on stage and sang with no dancers or dynamic visuals on the screen. Each vocalist had their moment to shine, as they effortlessly fired off vocal riffs and adlibs one after another. It felt like your eyes were darting back and forth between the singers just to keep up with each new run. If there’s one song by MAMAMOO you need to see live, it’s this one.
Vocal talent aside, with a group named MAMAMOO and a fandom that wields radish lightsticks, it comes as no surprise that the group has a quirky and experimental side. A fun example of this was their trot rendition of “Taller Than You.” Dressed in sparkly, colorful sequined jackets, MAMAMOO fully embraced the trot look and sound, delivering its signature vocal bends with strong technical precision on the playful song.
The group also showcased a medley of B-sides, spotlighting some lesser known songs and ending on the fitting “Baton Touch.” This naturally led into a solo performance relay, with each member taking the stage and passing along a customized radish mic to the next member. First, Hwasa surprised concertgoers by kicking off her performance of the retro pop “So Cute” in the aisles. The performance was more about attitude and charm, as she got up close and personal with the audience, interacting with as many fans as possible before returning to the stage. Next up was Wheein with the guitar-driven alt pop song, “The Symphony of Fxxkboys.” The crowd cheered her on as she threw up middle fingers, exuding jaded nonchalance and rebellious confidence. Moonbyul carried this energy into the intense and edge dance-pop song “Hertz,” showcasing choreography in her performance, while sparklers burst from the ceiling. Lastly, Solar took the stage with a standing mic for the sultry “Blues,” her gritty vocal delivery and powerful belts naturally drawing the crowd’s focus.
Reuniting for group performances in maroon outfits, MAMAMOO performed their latest single “4Flowers,” easing the crowd back in with a warm mid-tempo track that reflects the group’s ability to bloom again and again. They kicked the energy up with the sensual “Aya,” before moving into “Hip,” one of their biggest hits to-date. With renewed energy, they delivered strong vocals and crisp choreography, bringing the audience’s excitement to an all-time high.
After taking a hiatus for a few years and returning as a full group this year, this tour felt like their way of greeting fans again. It showcased the full range of their sound and re-established who they are as they continue their musical journey together. Solar explained that the tour’s name is meant to symbolize how they hope to move forward with their fans.
MAMAMOO treated the audience to an unconventional song during the encore with the laid-back, jazzy bossa nova “Words Don’t Come Easy.” Performing with chairs, they showed off their sensual charm and smooth vocals while dishing out plenty of fan service. Turning the energy back up, they ended the night with the song that put them on the map, “Um Oh Ah Ye,” rounding out the night on a high note.
