On August 2, the final stop in the US leg of IU’s 2024 H.E.R.E.H World Tour ended with electric energy from IU, her band, dancers and all Uaenas in attendance.
First off I want to say how blessed we are to see IU perform in multiple US cities and first ever world tour! Uaena was patiently waiting to see her performance of many of her discography going from her early career to her most recent album. While waiting for the concert to start, each fan was greeted with a gift from IU’s mom that included a keychain, photocards, and a magnet.
The concert started with “Holssi” and a special shout out to LA since this is where multiple music videos were filmed and that includes “Holssi”. As the concert continued they were introduced with her beautiful discography and the crowd waving their IU lightsticks. This was such a sight to witness first hand. LA were also treated to a special fandom nickname “LA-ena” As to the spelling I’m not too sure but this made her final stop a little more special to the fans.
I would like to make a special mention of the stage. It’s not the typical extended stage that many kpop groups use but one that rises. This was a welcoming surprise to fans that were in the lower bowl and upper bowl to see IU as she danced and sang. I was always surprised with the panoramic screen and subtitles that were accompanying each song she performed. Fans that were sitting next to me didn’t know the fanchats and they were very happy that they were able to participate in the fanchats and made their experience a lot more fun.
Being my first IU, I was preparing myself for the live vocals I was about to experience. I was shocked that her vocals are amazing, the depth she has from her energetic songs like “BBIBBI” to her ballad songs “Through the night”. I was very much excited to hear “Through the night” as it's one of my favorite songs in her discography. I looked around me and everyone was in awe and after she finished the song, I heard comments such as “I can’t believe I heard that live” “This is a dream” “She's an angel” “ I love her so much”. Now I can’t say which one of the comments were mine but nevertheless hearing it live was such a treat.
Between sets the fans were given a sing along on the screen while we waited for IU to come back. The song of choice? “Celebrity!” The beginning the fans were a little stumbled but started getting their groove as the sing along continued. As the song continued, IU joined and with just hearing her voice the crowd welcomed her back as IU and LA-enas singing the chorus. She applauded her and said that the “You’re my celebrity” was the best she’s ever heard and fans laughed.
As the night went on, we were told that she only had a few songs left but many fans knew that IU would definitely come back and were excited for the encore. Everyone started putting signs up for her to see as she was asking which songs she should play. We were lucky to get songs like “Friday” “Lullaby” “Good Day” "Ending Scene” “Hold My Hand” “Lilac” and “Palette.” She mentioned to the crowd that she has a special place in her heart with “Hold My Hand” since it’s one of her first songs she composed and hearing loud screams from her fans that they want to hear made her really happy.
I came across some fans and asked what their thoughts were about the concert
Jo Jeong:
First off I want to say how blessed we are to see IU perform in multiple US cities and first ever world tour! Uaena were patiently waiting to see her performance of many of her discography going from her early career to her most recent album.
Tri Phan:
I will start by mentioning the IU Concert in the US as a whole has been one of the many concerts I have waited the longest ever. I have been a fan of IU since 2014 and each year hoping that she will come to the US but it never actually happens until August 2nd, 2024. It was a very exciting concert filled with many Uenas and the performance was just magical, Magnificent, and outstandingly wonderful. My personal favorite which was very slim if IU were to perform was "Good Day" I honestly never thought she would sing it but surprisingly she did and it just felt very nostalgic after waiting so long to hear it. This was among a lot of concerts I have ever attended but with my personal experience none of the concerts I have been to have come close to what I witnessed at the IU concert the night of August 2nd, 2024. Overall I truly hope she will come back to the US in the near future and perform again for US Uenas and hopefully Canada as well.
Faith Hwang:
Hi, my name is Faith and the LA IU concert was my very first concert ever! I flew in from Toronto, Canada and it was so worth it. I really enjoyed her production, the live band, the enormous amounts of confetti and of course the gifts from IU's mom. I think something that was a little different was the language buffer, since I'm fluent in Korean and a lot of other people weren't, there was a lot of times I was laughing and others weren't until what IU said was translated. Otherwise, it was one of the highlights of my life and I was really lucky to have seen IU live in the US in my lifetime!
From start to finish, the concert was amazing, a dream come true and just perfect. Thank you to IU, her staff, Kia Forum for giving fans such a gift. This night was magical and couldn't be what it was without all the staff that put it together. Thank you IU for coming to the US, all Uaenas will be waiting for your return.