Having made his mark as a member across various groups NCT U, WayV, and SuperM, TEN has continued to expand his artistry as a soloist. To celebrate his latest release, he embarked on his first solo U.S. tour, drawing from across his career to showcase the full range of his talents, from vocals and rap to the dance skills that have long set him apart.
As the main dancer of NCT’s various units, TEN has built a reputation for his expressive movements and versatility, making his choreography a natural highlight of the evening. He opened with “STUNNER,” “Nightwalker,” and “Birthday,” easing the audience into the show with fluid, lyrical choreography that complemented his flowing white outfit. Bright lights followed his movements across the stage, creating a mystical atmosphere that set the tone for the opening performances.
That atmosphere soon gave way to something more intense with “ON TEN.” In contrast to the fluidity of the earlier performances, these ones featured hard-hitting hip hop choreography that revealed a bolder, more assertive side of his performance style. The shift in energy drew cheers from the crowd, demonstrating just how comfortably he moves between styles.
TEN went on to perform the jazzy “Dangerous,” which incorporated a microphone stand in the choreography. “Shadow,” in particular, was attention-grabbing for its chair choreography. Playing into the song’s title, TEN’s dancers stood behind him, following his movements a few beats behind to represent his shadow. This was enhanced by the engaging lighting, flickering so it appeared as if TEN was dancing in the shadows.
While the first half of performances showcased the precision and versatility of TEN’s dancing, the next segment offered a different perspective on his artistry. With his extensive dance background, his command of the stage came as little surprise. What proved more memorable was the shift to a slower, more intimate atmosphere as the music took on an acoustic arrangement. The segment opened with “New Heroes,” where his soft delivery and effortless high note took center stage. Accompanied only by a piano and illuminated by a single spotlight, he stood at his microphone stand, drawing attention to his vocals in a stripped-back arrangement. The simplicity of the staging allowed his vocal abilities to shine.
For “Lie With You,” TEN invited the show’s camera operator onstage and requested the audience to turn on their phone lights. This allowed the crowd to see what the beautiful sea of light looked like from TEN’s perspective, as the live camera captured the lights flickering like stars throughout the venue. During the second chorus, fans joined in singing, their voices filling the room alongside the glow of their phones.
From then on, the show continued with a mix of different genres. The punchy beats of “Waves” got fans dancing along, while “Can I Be Honest” offered a softer moment for the crowd to sing along. The energy picked back up with “IRL,” “Enough for Me,” and “BAMBOLA,” bringing fans to their feet and keeping the excitement going.
When it came time for the final goodbyes, TEN introduced the dancers and camera operator, and then took a few moments to express his sincerest gratitude for his fans. Thinking back to his first appearance in the U.S., he recalled it being SuperM’s promotions in Los Angeles. As such, LA became a city that was precious to him, holding countless memories and exemplifying his hopes and dreams.
TEN’s first solo show in the U.S. came to a close with back-to-back performances of his latest release, “OUTWEST.” The first was the music show version, with TEN and his dancers delivering the performance with precision. For the encore, he took a more personal approach, inviting his dancers and fellow dance friends on stage for a freestyle session. Stepping aside to give each person a moment in the spotlight, TEN watched as they took turns showing off their moves to cheers from the crowd. He eventually returned center stage for his own freestyle, leading into one final burst of choreography.
The encore was an energetic finale. By sharing the spotlight with the dancers and friends who were part of his journey, he made the closing performance feel less like a formal send-off and more like a celebration among his friends, with the audience together for the moment.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the show:
