GOT7 leader and soloist JAY B returned to Los Angeles to start his second stateside tour at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. While his first tour showed off his versatility as an artist and performer, this tour focused on JAY B’s roots and his vocal performances.
That’s not to say he didn’t excel in other aspects of the stage, as he brought choreography that was at times intense, at times sensual, and at all times synchronized and powerful. However, the setlist featured mostly groovy, soulful tracks to highlight his voice. Songs on the setlist such as “We” and “Dive into you” had no choreography at all, allowing the singer to stand onstage with a mic stand to serenade the audience. The crowd swayed along to his emotional delivery in the signature JYP entertainment “half air” vocal tone.
Even through performances of tracks like “Velvet Trigger,” “Switch It Up,” and unreleased track “Head to Toe” that featured punchy beats and intense choreography, JAY B’s vocals remained stable. In between performances, he took a moment to catch his breath and candidly engage with the crowd. These small moments of casual conversation also turned into some of the most memorable parts of the evening, as his experience as a veteran performer became clear through his lighthearted banter and comfortability on stage.
After a conversation with a male attendee who he guessed was a boyfriend or husband dragged to his show, he jokingly faked a deeper voice to start “Overflow,” before bursting out laughing soon after. He also took deep sighs and playfully complained that he was getting old now after performing a few dance tracks. In jest, he requested for staff to close the doors so no one could leave, only to say he could reopen them at any time when fans took him up on his offer to keep the night going.
Between sets, JAY B even prepared VCR videos to keep fans entertained. In particular, the first few VCRs focused on a mock cologne release, SMELLS LIKE JAY B. It was exaggerated and humorous as he appeared as both the model and the scientist behind the formula, Dr. Jay. To his surprise, fans expressed their wish for the cologne to be released, and he laughed in awe as he admitted he thought he did something wrong when fans looked so serious while watching the video. JAY B also prepared a meaningful VCR right before the show’s end. Reading a letter he prepared, the GOT7 leader thanked fans for waiting for him, for supporting him, and for loving him.
As a true K-Pop veteran performer, the evening couldn’t come to an end without an onslaught of fan service. During a few particular tracks, JAY B would skirt the edges of the stage, posing for videos and photos, making eye contact with fans, and even flashing his abs for fans with a smooth smirk. Kicking off his encore performance, he even surprised the crowd by jumping down and walking through the aisles slowly, greeting as many attendees up close as he possibly could. This meaningful surprise began the most anticipated part of the evening, an encore of GOT7 songs “THURSDAY,” “PAGE,” and “Before the Full Moon Rises” to close the show.
While JAY B is a multi-talented artist known for his well-rounded skillset on the stage, it was refreshing to see him focus the show on his first love, singing. The night was a reminder of his roots and how the stage has become like home for him.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the show:
