K-pop girl group IVE returned to Oakland on their second world tour, Show What I Am. The show began with all six members making a grand entrance while holding a dignified pose in front of two large angel wings on the main screen. Dressed in black leather outfits embellished with silver chains and studs, they kicked off the show with “Gotcha (Baddest Eros).” The show was designed to feature a powerful intro, but the backing track for the first few songs were blasting too loudly through the speakers, which ended up drowning out the members’ live vocals. However, the sound adjusted in time for “Baddie,” which showcased the group’s combination of cute and cool vibes as the stage was bathed in red lights. Ending with “Blackhole” and its soaring melody, the group demanded the audience’s attention as they sang “look at me,” and the performance reached its peak when Yujin and Liz hit their high notes accompanied by red streamers bursting into the crowd.
Back on familiar turf, the group looked out across the Oakland Arena, greeting fans who came to their first Oakland concert two years ago and welcoming first-timers to the show. Not all the members were in tip top shape though, with the members announcing that Rei had a cold. While she wasn’t able to sing, she still performed the whole night through, putting her energy into executing precise choreography. There was a section of the show dedicated to each member taking the stage solo, giving audiences only a small taste of each performance. Each solo performance was staged across the main and extended stage with different setups, so it was a shame they were used so briefly before it was time to move on to the next. As short as these performances were, Gaeul made the most of her limited time through her performance of the dreamy synth pop “Odd” in a frilly short dress with strips of long fabric, reminiscent of the tendrils of a jellyfish. Gaeul’s delivery of the light yet playful melody showcased her versatility, while her use of the main stage and catwalk made the contemporary-influenced pop choreography all the more dynamic. Meanwhile, Yujin deeply enjoyed her solo performance, as she was all smiles and feeling herself during “Force.” She put her vigorous dancing on full display, smoothly undulating throughout the song, and she simply radiated infectious energy.
After a costume change, the group took the stage in adorable white outfits, a departure from their earlier bolder look. Dressed in fitted tracksuit tops, two-tiered pleated skirts, and tiny angel wings, it was clear this section of the show would focus on showcasing their cuter side. Despite the heavier bass-driven sound of “삐빅 (♥beats),” the members still managed to execute cute choreography to the punchy percussion, while making endearing facial expressions to the crowd. Fans were thrilled to hear the group perform the city pop version of “Off the Record,” eagerly singing along as the members leisurely walked around the stage to interact with the audience.
IVE saved their crowdpleasers for the final section of the show, and the culmination of production, arrangement, and performance came together for an explosive ending. The members tore away their white outfits to reveal shimmery silver tops and black shorts with glittery silver accents, as the word “attitude” flashed on the screens. The best arrangement of the night was “Attitude,” which featured additional house instrumentation that gave the members time to strut confidently down the catwalk and launch into a dance break on the extended stage. The arrangement also gave them a chance to get close to the audience before making their way back to the main stage to resume the bridge. During the final chorus, a burst of streamers cascaded onto the concertgoers, bringing the performance to an exhilarating finish. When IVE moved into their biggest hit “Love Dive,” fans screamed in recognition and even louder during the floor choreography as the performers swept their legs across the floor. The anthemic “Rebel Heart” rallied the crowd together to passionately sing along, creating one of the night’s most unified moments.
IVE literally ended the show with a bang, performing “Bang Bang.” The high-tempo, bass-heavy track brought the energy to an all-time high as the group performed with cool confidence, sending fans jumping to the pounding beat. The song’s countdown built anticipation for the catchy chorus, with the lighting heightening the moment by flashing in sync. Even after the members finished the song, the music continued, with accelerating synth and EDM beats transforming the venue into a nightclub. As the members raced back to the main stage to strike a dramatic pose, the song reached its final beat with a flash of light, leaving the audience with a bold final image of all six members.
