K-pop girl group STAYC returned to the States with a new tour, Stay Tuned. This time they made their first performance in San Jose at the San Jose Civic. Entering the stage against a screen of red lights, the six members dramatically took their place on stage. They opened the show with a jolt of energy, making an attitude-filled entrance in black outfits with glittering accessories to the pounding club beats of “BEBE.” The song’s brisk tempo, reminiscent of a high energy fashion runaway show, and the members’ stylistic drawl of the talk-singing had listeners hanging onto every word. Then, the dance break in “1 Thing” further amped up the crowd’s enthusiasm, as the group showcased their sharp moves. Serving bubblegum pop with “Poppy” and its repetitive chirpy chorus, STAYC had the audience singing and dancing along to the song’s viral dance, making floppy ears with their hands.
Switching things up, the members sang into standing mics for the rock-inspired “YOUNG LUV,” which features a prominent bouncing bass. This track stood out from STAYC’s characteristic sound of high-octane melodies and synthy dance pop. Sieun took the spotlight as her soft “oohs” at the beginning of the song turned into passionate belts by the end, earning cheers from the crowd.
As the show entered its second half, the group asked the audience whether they ate before the show. Even though many said no at first, when the members followed up with, “But you still have energy to shake your booty, right?” they responded with a resounding yes. The girls’ demonstration clearly hinted at the next song to come, with fans buzzing in excitement. What ensued was them performing energetic hit after hit, starting with “I WANT IT” and all of its peppiness. For the carefree and fun “Bubble,” the members showed off their playful side as they happily interacted with the crowd and brought out bubble guns that filled the stage with bubbles galore.
One of the best performances of the night was “Trouble Maker,” with its festive melody and the group’s infectious energy. Their colorful pastel tulle dresses also were a perfect match for the vibrant song. STAYC demonstrated their command of the crowd through a lively call-and-response that had fans enthusiastically repeating every “ooh” and “whee,” making it the cherry on top to a performance that simply was great romping fun.
Revisiting their earlier releases, STAYC took listeners through “STEREOTYPE,” “RUN2U,” and “ASAP,” with a little detour to something more recent with the radiantly cheerful “Teddy Bear.” The main setlist of the night closed on their debut track, “SO BAD,” bringing listeners back to the beginning of the group’s five-year career together. Treating fans until the very end, STAYC returned for an encore by first roaming the floor to interact with concertgoers during “Gummy Bear,” followed by a final song wholly dedicated to their fans, “Stay WITH Me.”
Living up to the tour’s name, Stay Tuned, STAYC kept attendees thoroughly engaged all throughout the show with their energetic performances and high spirits. It’s true that the audience can make a show because fans turned out for the girls in San Jose, cheering at the top of their lungs and fervently chanting the group’s slogan, “STAYC girls, it’s going down,” at every opportunity. The members certainly fed off the crowd’s love and returned it twofold. The next time STAYC tours, the group knows their fans are eagerly waiting in the Bay Area.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
