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glitteryvInspired by Jungkook co-headlining the Global Citizen concert later today, I decided to do a post abt Kpop artists who have performed at Lollapalooza. Something that began in 2022.
Disclaimer: The Lollapalooza I'm referring to in this post is the 4-day festival that's held at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Which is also the one most ppl are familiar with. I'm aware there are 7 other versions of the festival that happen at other places. Those go by "Lollapalooza (Name of the Country)". I'm sure awesome things have occurred at those other Lollas, but I wanted to make it clear which one I'm talking abt here.
So, 2022 was the first year that Lollapalooza had K-pop artists on its schedule. As of right now, all of the artists have been from HYBE and/or Big Hit, but I can see the ppl behind Lollapalooza making deals with other Korean agencies to have their artists appear in future years. Especially given the monumental success for what's considered to be the biggest music festival in the USA.
I'm gonna list the 3 performances, say what I liked abt them, etc in ascending order of "like it fine" to "ZOMG, I LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE SO MUCH I'VE WATCHED IT MANY TIMES!"
3. TXT on Saturday, August 5, 2023
Dubbed TXTPALOOZA by many, this was a solid return to the festival for that group. This time as headliners!! Something that's absolutely deserved. At this point, they were near the end of their "Act: Sweet Mirage" world tour and totally ready to give both festivalgoers and online audiences an amazing show. Which they did! It was a solid hour and a half of a ton of their songs with a live band adding an extra layer of awesomeness to the goings on. At first, I thought my attention was going to be on Soobin and Yeonjun, but I kept zeroing in on Taehyung and Beomgyu. I thought the sets and costume changes were good too.
The ~110k audience was v. enthusiastic, singing along to every song while the guys did their thing onstage.
THAT SAID, I do rank this show in last place due to some technical stuff. So, to reiterate, this isn't abt being so-so abt TXT. On the contrary, they were amazing despite the (again) technical stuff that downgraded the watching experience for me. I watched the set after it got uploaded to TXT's YT channel since I was zzzing when they performed live (as I had to wake up at 4 a.m. to watch Day 2 of my manz's D-Day Tour: The Final, but I digress). My issues with this show were:
1. Yeonjun and Huening Kai's handheld mics were lower than they should've been during the first three songs. IIRC, I'm almost sure that Taehyun's mic was glitching a bit as well. I only noticed this because, all of their voices were way clearer when they switched to the headset mics and then back to their handhelds. Their voices remained steady.
2. Adding to the sound ~issues, the sound editing AND sound mixing for TXT's show were askew. Specifically when it came to the audience. People were yelling from start to end--at times fighting against TXT's singing during some of the slower songs OR whenever the guys said any kind of ment.
3. The camerapeople during the TXT concert kept panning to the audience--oftentimes for ZERO reason while the group was performing onstage. So then, the cameras would be SCRAMBLING to find the TXT member that was singing at that moment. It was v. distracting.
Having said all that, is it still worth it checking the show out? OF FUCKING COURSE IT IS! I just added my gripes so that others can adjust their expectations if they're inclined to do so. Here it is
2. TXT on Saturday July 30, 2022
I swear I don't have any beef with TXT, LOL. Even though it might come across like I do. ANYHOO, this was the first time a Kpop group performed at Lollapalooza.They had a fairly chill spot (8 p.m.) that was right before one of the headliners. Unlike this year, the set was shorter (abt 45 mins.), but the energy was thru the roof!
Per what I know, this performance came at the tail end of the USA leg of their Act: Lovesick world tour. I actually liked this performance over this year's, dunno why. The guys are full of energy and v. sweet with their fans.
1. J-Hope on Sunday, July 31st, 2022
HOBIPALOOZA, Y'ALL!! *Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees*
This was...*dreamy sigh*. So, pretty much like everyone everywhere, I was v. O____o?! when it was announced that Hobi was going to be a HEADLINER for Lollapalooza. The FIRST KOREAN SOLOIST AS A HEADLINER. This was to take place roughly 2 weeks after his first solo album, Jack in the Box, was getting a digital release. (The physical version of the album wouldn't be available until almost a year later.)
As much as I loathe capitalism (especially the late stage we're at), I do have to give kudos to Lollapalooza for understanding ARMY and setting things up in a way that showed respect to both Hobi and the fandom. There was a special section of Hobi merch (including ARMY bombs, i.e. BTS lightsticks). According to those who attended, the merch tents were well-stocked and had a friendly staff. There were a ton of welcoming and sweet messages on social media from official Lollapalooza accounts, etc. Over here in the US, Hulu got in on the YAYS train by announcing a free trial offer to ppl interested in watching any and all of the Lollapalooza shows. Outside of the US, folks could watch it on Weverse and some could watch it on Big Hit's YT channel. All for free-ninety nine.
I snagged that free trial offer and settled in to watch TXT on Saturday and then Hobi on Sunday, LOL
WHAT A FANTASTIC HOUR AND SIXTEEN MINUTE SHOW!!! Hobi performed to a crowd of 105k folks (plus some ridic numbers online. I think Weverse said they had 14-15M viewers. Sadly, I couldn't find the Hulu numbers, but I've got a feeling they were pretty high too, heheh.)
The 20-song setlist covered all of the new and old solo songs by Hobi plus a few snippets of rapline and BTS group songs and a special performance too. In short, it's the kind of awesomecakes show that gave Hobi the opportunity to display his artistry, charm, and amazing talent at dancing and rapping. The live band was fantastic too. Oh, and the dancers (yet another collaboration with The Lab) were great as well. NGL, I still get goosebumps during some of the key moments as it almost feels like a dream..
Here is the entire show:
Finally, as a bonus, here's a 22-minute behind-the-scenes BTS Episode of Hobi getting ready for his groundbreaking show. Featuring bonus!Jimin (who flew to the US to give Hobi much needed emotional support) and TXT. :D
Disclaimer: The Lollapalooza I'm referring to in this post is the 4-day festival that's held at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Which is also the one most ppl are familiar with. I'm aware there are 7 other versions of the festival that happen at other places. Those go by "Lollapalooza (Name of the Country)". I'm sure awesome things have occurred at those other Lollas, but I wanted to make it clear which one I'm talking abt here.
So, 2022 was the first year that Lollapalooza had K-pop artists on its schedule. As of right now, all of the artists have been from HYBE and/or Big Hit, but I can see the ppl behind Lollapalooza making deals with other Korean agencies to have their artists appear in future years. Especially given the monumental success for what's considered to be the biggest music festival in the USA.
I'm gonna list the 3 performances, say what I liked abt them, etc in ascending order of "like it fine" to "ZOMG, I LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE SO MUCH I'VE WATCHED IT MANY TIMES!"
Let's go!
3. TXT on Saturday, August 5, 2023
Dubbed TXTPALOOZA by many, this was a solid return to the festival for that group. This time as headliners!! Something that's absolutely deserved. At this point, they were near the end of their "Act: Sweet Mirage" world tour and totally ready to give both festivalgoers and online audiences an amazing show. Which they did! It was a solid hour and a half of a ton of their songs with a live band adding an extra layer of awesomeness to the goings on. At first, I thought my attention was going to be on Soobin and Yeonjun, but I kept zeroing in on Taehyung and Beomgyu. I thought the sets and costume changes were good too.
The ~110k audience was v. enthusiastic, singing along to every song while the guys did their thing onstage.
THAT SAID, I do rank this show in last place due to some technical stuff. So, to reiterate, this isn't abt being so-so abt TXT. On the contrary, they were amazing despite the (again) technical stuff that downgraded the watching experience for me. I watched the set after it got uploaded to TXT's YT channel since I was zzzing when they performed live (as I had to wake up at 4 a.m. to watch Day 2 of my manz's D-Day Tour: The Final, but I digress). My issues with this show were:
1. Yeonjun and Huening Kai's handheld mics were lower than they should've been during the first three songs. IIRC, I'm almost sure that Taehyun's mic was glitching a bit as well. I only noticed this because, all of their voices were way clearer when they switched to the headset mics and then back to their handhelds. Their voices remained steady.
2. Adding to the sound ~issues, the sound editing AND sound mixing for TXT's show were askew. Specifically when it came to the audience. People were yelling from start to end--at times fighting against TXT's singing during some of the slower songs OR whenever the guys said any kind of ment.
3. The camerapeople during the TXT concert kept panning to the audience--oftentimes for ZERO reason while the group was performing onstage. So then, the cameras would be SCRAMBLING to find the TXT member that was singing at that moment. It was v. distracting.
Having said all that, is it still worth it checking the show out? OF FUCKING COURSE IT IS! I just added my gripes so that others can adjust their expectations if they're inclined to do so. Here it is
2. TXT on Saturday July 30, 2022
I swear I don't have any beef with TXT, LOL. Even though it might come across like I do. ANYHOO, this was the first time a Kpop group performed at Lollapalooza.They had a fairly chill spot (8 p.m.) that was right before one of the headliners. Unlike this year, the set was shorter (abt 45 mins.), but the energy was thru the roof!
Per what I know, this performance came at the tail end of the USA leg of their Act: Lovesick world tour. I actually liked this performance over this year's, dunno why. The guys are full of energy and v. sweet with their fans.
1. J-Hope on Sunday, July 31st, 2022
HOBIPALOOZA, Y'ALL!! *Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees*
This was...*dreamy sigh*. So, pretty much like everyone everywhere, I was v. O____o?! when it was announced that Hobi was going to be a HEADLINER for Lollapalooza. The FIRST KOREAN SOLOIST AS A HEADLINER. This was to take place roughly 2 weeks after his first solo album, Jack in the Box, was getting a digital release. (The physical version of the album wouldn't be available until almost a year later.)
As much as I loathe capitalism (especially the late stage we're at), I do have to give kudos to Lollapalooza for understanding ARMY and setting things up in a way that showed respect to both Hobi and the fandom. There was a special section of Hobi merch (including ARMY bombs, i.e. BTS lightsticks). According to those who attended, the merch tents were well-stocked and had a friendly staff. There were a ton of welcoming and sweet messages on social media from official Lollapalooza accounts, etc. Over here in the US, Hulu got in on the YAYS train by announcing a free trial offer to ppl interested in watching any and all of the Lollapalooza shows. Outside of the US, folks could watch it on Weverse and some could watch it on Big Hit's YT channel. All for free-ninety nine.
I snagged that free trial offer and settled in to watch TXT on Saturday and then Hobi on Sunday, LOL
WHAT A FANTASTIC HOUR AND SIXTEEN MINUTE SHOW!!! Hobi performed to a crowd of 105k folks (plus some ridic numbers online. I think Weverse said they had 14-15M viewers. Sadly, I couldn't find the Hulu numbers, but I've got a feeling they were pretty high too, heheh.)
The 20-song setlist covered all of the new and old solo songs by Hobi plus a few snippets of rapline and BTS group songs and a special performance too. In short, it's the kind of awesomecakes show that gave Hobi the opportunity to display his artistry, charm, and amazing talent at dancing and rapping. The live band was fantastic too. Oh, and the dancers (yet another collaboration with The Lab) were great as well. NGL, I still get goosebumps during some of the key moments as it almost feels like a dream..
Here is the entire show:
Finally, as a bonus, here's a 22-minute behind-the-scenes BTS Episode of Hobi getting ready for his groundbreaking show. Featuring bonus!Jimin (who flew to the US to give Hobi much needed emotional support) and TXT. :D
