I'll have to admit, I never thought the words "It was pretty racy until the Kraken arrived" would ever tumble out of my mouth. At least, not in this lifetime.
Alas, I was proved wrong.
At the end of 2024, superstar boy group ATEEZ set off for their newest world tour [TOWARDS THE LIGHT: WILL TO POWER], blazing their way through the globe before landing in Manchester, UK at the AO Arena on January 30th 2025. We had seen ATEEZ once before in 2023, but from the performance to the production level - their newest concert was an upgrade that none of us saw coming.
First of all, in terms of artistic direction, the theme seemed to fully lean into the dystopian aesthetic with a towering metal structure at the top of the stage, holding a watchful, sinister eye over the venue.
The concert began with an introductory dance performance by BB TRIPPIN, building up the tension before the members finally took the stage. They started the performance with their 2023 title track "Crazy Form", before plunging the audience back in time with one of their oldest and most iconic songs "Say my Name". The performances started off with a bang, jumping straight into intricate choreography for the beginning segment, before retreating back into the ominous metal tower.
And thus, the drama began.
Photo by Elizabeth Lonsdale for Photos by Focus
Leader Hongjoong stepped out, skittish, and seemingly afraid as the watchful eye scanned the stage for him before he disappeared. Though the drama didn't end, as alarms blared through the arena as Yunho stumbled out, also seeming to be escaping the eye before accepting his fate and being dragged away by guards. Another dance performance followed, this time including San in a sharp and dramatic enactment of capture and release, before he too was dragged back into the tower, kicking.
The show followed a pattern of dramatic vignettes and stellar performances, such as Hongjoong opening fan-favourite "Guerilla" with an electric guitar solo - one to please the substantial population of metal-heads in the fandom. In a short speech segment, Seonghwa finally namedropped the event with a "We're moving towards the light" before they moved on.
Mingi opened the next song "Cyberpunk" - a fan favourite for an oh-so mysterious reason - with a few extra verses, before moving on to "Halazia" - a song which many an ATINY had wished to see performed since it's release.
The next vignette retracted the dystopian theme for a moment, leaning into something elegantly more painful. The stage was empty, drama brewing in the silent anguish of the scene, save for a single chair and Seonghwa. Pain across his face as he seemingly consumed something in what was akin to desperation. He was then joined by Hongjoong and Yunho in a mysterious, almost spectral dance performance. Floating across the stage encapsulated by fog, forever trailing behind them that hint of sensuality that tinged the entire show. The militant guards from earlier returned, ripping the wings from the trio as feathers scattered everywhere before the scene shifted.
Yeosang sat in a cage of the purest white feathers. Delicate. Angelic, almost, behind the tragedy of the bars. Yet smoothly, he escaped before performing "IT's You" with San and Wooyoung. A few unit songs followed such as the lighter and more nostalgic "Youth", starting with Yunho re-enacting a pre-audition scene in a phone box with old friend Mingi, and "Everything" - the solo by Jongho perched on a sparkling diamond staircase that could only deign to detract from the powerful, honey-like vocals of the young talent as he belted the emotional ballad.
Wooyoung then moved to claim the stage with a skillful dance solo before they went onto perform some of their lighter songs, such as popular summer tune "WAVE".
But of course, this wouldn't be a K-Pop concert in the UK without an attempt at a British accent. "Yeosang, you're a top lad" said Yunho. "Manchester I'm buzzing to be here with you" Seonghwa chimed in, "Manchester ATINY is mint." Being a Londoner, hearing an attempt at a Mancunian accent was a first - but definitely a much more interesting experience. Though the final judgement is left up to the ATINY of Manchester. Hongjoong mentioned how one of his favourite bands was actually Oasis (a rock band from Manchester), and sang a few lines of "Wonderwall", which he covered a few months prior.
The fun resumed, as San procured a hand-held camera and ran around the stage playing with the members as they performed "Dancing Like Butterfly Wings". Though the theme suddenly switched to their more recent mafia boss-like vibe with the final unit song "MATZ" - a chaotic and definitely more fiery, borderline intimidating, track by Hongjoong and Seonghwa, and their latest title track "Ice On My Teeth". Though this allowed for a smooth segue for them to pick a lucky audience member to choose the "real boss" of the night amongst the members.
"Seonghwa," the chosen ATINY said into the mic, as a proud Seonghwa marched across the stage and aggressively blew her a kiss.
The "boss" theme continued for their next song, as the members pranced around the western-style bar performing "ARRIBA" and "DJANGO", with Jongho cheekily stealing a rose from the bartender in a jaunty little mini-skit. Wooyoung then took the stage, notebook in hand, with an impish smile across his face as he commanded the attention of the audience. Slowly, he flipped each page revealing a sweet message to the fans:
"Let me say something just because we are in Manchester, to me you are mint and I will always love you Manchester ATINY - From Wooyoung"
He shot a finger heart to the audience before adding in "Actually, you guys are top notch." Mingi engaged the audience with "We will rock you" followed by collective clapping, stamping and chanting - as one should - before moving on to "BOUNCY" and finally, a special performance of "Wonderland".
For those in the know, or frequent watchers of the show "Kingdom: Legendary War" this was a long-awaited and, fittingly titled, legendary performance of their song "Wonderland" remixed with Czech composer Dvořák's "Symphony No.9", swords, and yes - a Kraken. The anticipated chorus approached and the dancers split, swords raised in allegiance as Seonghwa slowly marched through them with an authorotatively regal gait. His darkly intense eyes pierced through stark-white wisps of hair, peeking over the glowing blade before slaying the betentacled creature in two swings of a sword and an elegant twirl.
With that, the aptly Lovecraftian climax of the show came to an end, and the set began to wind down with a medley of songs such as "Eternal Sunshine" and "Firework" before ending in classic ATEEZ fashion with "The Real".
Photo by Elizabeth Lonsdale for Photos by Focus
The show came to a halt when the screens went blank, with the audience prompted to sing the chorus of "WORK" to get them to - surprisingly - work again, thus segueing into a performance of the full song before the final speeches.
Yeosang mentioned how he had "walked the streets of Manchester with Yunho" the day before, "it was such a beautiful place." They expressed their final sentiments, how it felt like "a dream" said San, with Wooyoung hoping ATINY made "good memories". Yunho let out a final "I'm so chuffed" before performing their final songs "Dreamy Day" and "Utopia" to end on a hopeful, dreamy note, as a large hand ascended from the stage reaching towards the light.
And with a burst of confetti and a final "I love you", the show was over. They credited the dance crew BB TRIPPIN, doused Mingi in water for good mesaure, and gave their final bow.
Photo from @ATEEZofficial
Overall, it was definitely a unique event that bordered the line between concert and cinematic experience. The show could be summed up in a few words; regal, provocative, evocative, with an overarching theme that was almost militant offset by rebellion. The dramatic scenes that broke up the music did well to consolidate the tragic and dystopian storyline in an artful way, and it'll be interesting to see how they develop this direction even further if they choose to. Favourite songs of the night were "Guerilla", "Halazia" and "Wonderland" for that stellar performance that was worth waiting three years for. We wish ATEEZ luck on the rest of their tour, and can only hope that they come back soon.
Until then, be sure to follow KpopWise for more on your favourite aritsts!
Thank you MyMusicTaste for the invitation.