#mambo.concerts

[byemambo]

Concert Diaries: ATEEZ - TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER

Artist: ATEEZ

Tour: Towards the Light: Will to Power World Tour

Date: July 31, 2024

Location: Gas South Arena, Duluth, GA

Tier: SRA/Gen Admission

Time(s) Seen: Fourth time

Favorite Songs (Title Track): Guerrilla, HALAZIA, Youth, Silver Light, MATZ, WORK, ARRIBA, DJANGO, BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS), Dreamy Day

Notable Moments (in depth reflection under the cut):

This is the second time I've been to Gas South, and it's a nice venue for the size that ATEEZ has been able to achieve all these years

The stage design was amazing, they really went all out to create an immersive experience for all of us: from props, to stage rigs, to even set props that enhanced the storytelling aspect of the concert rather than focusing on the performance alone

Totally missed Crazy Form and Say My Name because I left my house later than I needed to and I had to pee BADLY

The staff (I asked for his name after the concert was over and it's Howard!) helped me get to my seat because there were too many people within the row for us to tell whether or not my seat got snatched (which it didn't thank goodness) so I was very grateful

Even though the back seating area of the stage is farther than what I'd prefer, I personally think it's better than being on the floor and not seeing shit because everyone's phones are up in the air

I've always preferred to see the entire stage from a further distance to fully take everything in, but the camera directors were really something

In comparison to their past tours, we can see just how much more sensual and adult they've become over the years, which I think is an evolution appropriate for them now as men versus the young boys they once were

Their sensual appeal isn't uncomfortable or cringe: it's confident, it's sexy, it's just the right amount that doesn't become too explicit

Their profound confidence as a group has done them so well over the course of their careers thus far, which is something that I will always admit about them as my favorite group

They spent so much time speaking to us directly in English without using a translator to aid in expressing their thoughts, which made me surprised and I'm neither for or against (since I believe that idols are entitled to expressing themselves in the language most comfortable to them, whether that be Korean or English)

The concert set list was very performance intensive, but with a theatrical approach, which is one of my favorite things about ATEEZ: their performance is beyond knocking out a choreography well on the stage, there is story and motifs significant to them as a group

During certain parts of the ments, some of the members became shy when speaking in English with minor hiccups, and I always find that wholesome with a gentle reminder of them being ordinary people outside of their celebrity personas

The VCR was fairly interesting, highlighting their journey with their group identity within the industry and relying on their "light," whether it be to help confront their obstacles, highlight their confidence, or overcoming the darkness of failure and asking the audience to ignite their light and never be afraid. ATEEZ has fairly complex lore, but we're currently in the era of Strickland, the damnation and government ban of artistic expression and emotional awareness, targeting citizens who perform art, music, or dance. Because ATEEZ has paved a name for themselves for being one of the top groups in delivering performance, this becomes a key player in their story line as they lead an anarchic revolution for society to access their emotions and pave a name for themselves in this world.

There were various members who partook in dance solos, but the specific theatrical performance that caught my attention the most was the transformation Seonghwa undergoes, accompanied by Hongjoong and Yunho as they face the Strickland officers and capture. Once Hongjoong and Yunho were seized by the Strickland officers and leaving Seonghwa behind, their wings were ripped away from them, resulting in a loss in freedom and identity. Seonghwa attempts to free himself from the grasps of the officers, even putting up a strong fight despite being outnumbered. After suffering and struggling to resist, he finally endures the same fate, his wings being torn away from him as he cowers in a deep depression.

However, Yeosang appears behind the cage, entrapped but instead of black clothing, he wears white and seems to be dancing with hints and glimmers of hope. Rather than remaining entrapped in the cage that serves as his confinement, he makes attempts to escape the bars, eventually breaking free. This reminds me of the metaphor associated with a caged bird, only serving its life purpose as a spectacle, an example to be made out of, an example of simply existing to serve for others and sing. I resonate this concept with ATEEZ, a group that I've been a fan of predebut back in 2018, witnessing the ups and downs of their presence within the industry. Along with many moments of support and aspiration, they endured many moments of ridicule and doubt, to the point of discounting their credibility and achievements throughout their career. This never stopped or forced ATEEZ back into the cage the industry and culture wishes for them, as society has always treated such uniqueness and artistic expression with confinement and silence. Instead, it only fueled ATEEZ's passion further, finally tapping back into their own light that guided them down a more fortifying path that becomes their own, that becomes a journey less traveled.

I've followed ATEEZ since the beginning of their career, knowing about their existence as KQ Fellaz (which indirectly claimed Pick It Up as their debut anthem that still resonates with ATINYs today). This year will be six years since their debut in 2018, which makes me excited and proud to be a part of their growth and journey. Their first concert in Atlanta was at Center Stage, a venue I personally love due to its small size fit for intimate connection between artist and audience. This is the same venue that BTS performed at before they became the powerhouse they are today, which only provides more reason to believe ATEEZ's career is following a similar path that BTS had paved prior. A path and road less traveled and embarked, a path that is only possible to travel on as a group debuting under a smaller company, as the industry's prioritization of capitalistic gain creates a saturated market with inequitable opportunities for those who lack the resources. Some groups become fortunate starting their race at the official starting line: other groups start strides behind the starting line, which close minded stans and industry leaders choose to ignore and dismiss such a handicap. Throughout the course of ATEEZ's journey, I've witnessed it all: division within the fandom, demonization of key players within KQ Entertainment that the members themselves look up to and respect, the industry itself failing to protect ATEEZ and instead, make a poor example out of them through alienation and scapegoating, multiple occasions of being plagiarized and ripped off of without pretense for their own hard work and desire to bring more to the industry that has shown to despise them. However, as I align with a similar fate as ATEEZ in my own personal life: we all never chose to give up and allow the hatred and dismissal to consume us whole, but rather idealize ourselves as a burning fire that only continues to grow from being fed wooden logs. ATEEZ will always be known for their raw power and passion, moving not only those who have supported them at various eras of their career, but capturing the hearts of those outside of the community through their connecting in a shared language: music and artistic expression. The amount of pride I carry on my shoulders when speaking about ATEEZ has only grown as the years go on and ATEEZ continues to evolve in various ways, but have always remained with their roots: humble(ness) and kindness. They have given themselves the responsibility to be the mouthpiece for themselves and those around them, they have made courageous strides in modifying the culture, valuing the sheer power of using their voices for the greater good, to have no fear chasing after their dreams no matter what challenges await fro them. They have truly embodied the phrase: failure is the mother of success. That no matter what attempts to bring them down, they allow themselves to endure the falls while still having the strength to get back up and continue marching on. They have inspired many lives to ignite the light that's within all of us, and claiming our time to wake up.

Next Concert: KPOP Breakout Tour w/ TRENDZ, CRAXY, ICHILLIN' and U-CHAE

[byemambo]

24th Birthday Special: Advice from a Concert Connoisseur

I wanted to post something in commemoration for my birthday (Aug 3) and why not talk about my personal takes on what you can do to enjoy your future concert experiences! Of course, everyone will approach concerts differently, so this is obviously a list particular and true to me, but could possibly have information that can enlighten others to try the next time they go to a concert. Although I've been to other concerts of varying genres, this listen will cover mainly how kpop tours go and what to expect.

1) Venue and Ticketing Information

[THE BOYZ - 2024 ZENERATION / ATEEZ - 2019 THE EXPEDITION, both locations in Atlanta, GA]

First things first: collect all information and details about the tour and the concert itself. Depending on which touring/production companies are in charge of the tour, information such as venues, dates and cities, as well as pricing for tickets and merchandise will be more transparent and quickly distributed for the general interest group to prepare their finances and whatever accommodations they'll need if they plan on traveling. I would keep an eye out for the following:

Tour Name along with cities/countries: since companies use "world tour" as a marketing tactic, it's rarely considered a world tour by definition as many artists only touchdown in so many areas of the world within that span of time their tour goes for

The year and tour dates: most tours are announced months to even a year ahead of time, so be aware of when those announcements drop and establish the amount of time you have until that particular date arrives. This can be in a span of a few weeks to a span of a few months, which is highly dependent on the artist's current schedule (comebacks, festivals/major events, touring other parts of the world outside of where you reside, hiatuses, etc)

Who the touring/production company is: from experience, pay attention and do your own research in how that particular company conducts their tours. Some companies are well established and have years of experience in elevating the quality of their concerts, others are truthfully underprepared or unorganized, a few are actually scammers based on how they handle on site VIP tier perks/experiences. I would check Twitter for this type of information, especially if people have compiled their experiences through threads

Who is the ticket distributor: some production companies sell their tickets directly, others such as Ticketmaster or AXS are in charge of distributing those tickets. This is important for having access to your ticket information, venue seating charts, VIP tier list and perks

What is the venue and where is it located: some venues are placed in the heart of the major cities, which all have their own unique regulations and expectations (bag policies, parking, fanmade signs/posters, etc) Locating the venue will also help you narrow down housing accommodations a mode of transportation as some cities are more walkable than others

What are the different tiers/perks: each tour is conducted differently, so make sure you take the time to read what all the perks/benefits will be before deciding on purchasing your ticket! These benefits can include: hi-touch, send off, soundcheck, group photos, selfie opportunities, line up priority, etc! Depending on the size of the venue, these perks will differ in what's available with the prices reflecting so.

What time does ticket sales begin: because of time zones, pay attention to when ticket sales begin, as they will differ from presale (with codes if you've been a frequent attendee for that particular group/touring company, or membership benefits from the group itself), VIP, and general sale

2) Tiers and Seating Preferences

[VERIVERY - 2024 GO ON FAN MEETING / TWICE - 2023 Ready to Be, both in Atlanta, GA]

Depending on the venue size, there will be various ways to view the concert: in the pit/standing area, seated, or leveled/nosebleeds. Although I've had my fair share of purchasing VIP and being able to be closer to the stage, my preferences over the years have shifted, prioritizing my view of the stage versus how close I am to the stage.

This has heavily impacted my overall experience, as I'm someone who doesn't feel the need to record every single moment I'm there, lessening my pressure of wanting to capture the "perfect" moments and allow myself to enjoy the concert in its entirety. I also believe that there will always be videos and photos from other users online, so I use them as my way of archiving those memories

Of course we know what the pros would be in getting a higher tier ticket, but my cons are more important to me: standing/pit will give you an obscure view of the stage due to people (most likely) being in front of you, and how high they all plan on holding their phones up to record. Some fans will also hold up objects (fans, posters/signs, etc), which depending on where you're viewing the stage, that can also be distracting

My favorite areas to stand/sit now are usually centered and towards the back of the pit (near or behind the sound booth) or central seating sections

3) Experience the Concert

As I've been going to concerts, my first one being BTS's Highlight Tour back in 2015 (iykyk...), my approach to concerts have evolved over time:

Bring earplugs! These speakers and crowds can becoming extremely loud and over time with continuous exposure without proper protection, it will affect your hearing long term. I use Loop Earplugs (found on their website or Amazon) and I can still hear the performance/music but without risking my ears ringing after the concert is over

Be mindful of your battery life on your devices. This can be your lightsticks, phone, cameras, etc. You'll need your phone for after the concert, such as navigating back home, ordering Ubers/Lifts, ordering food, etc. Bring chargers, power banks, or extra batteries as appropriate

Dress however you like at the concert, but if you want to feel extra special: dress according to the artist's themed eras or your favorite member! Whether you dress for comfort or for fashion, most fandoms can be (not always but that shouldn't affect your individual experience) extremely friendly and supportive, so having a themed outfit that's recognizable will give you a confidence boost! I'm someone who doesn't bother to dress for every day, but for concerts, I enjoy theming my outfits and received compliments when I'm there :)

[THE BOYZ Juyeon - The Stealer]

If you ever want to make anyone's day: hand out freebies! This can be small bracelets, keychains, charms, unofficial photocards or posters, anything that you can commemorate the day with. I've made unofficial photocards in the past for ATEEZ, which give you a chance at potentially making friends or gaining exposure within the community (if you promote as a creative, artist, group order manager, fansite, etc) However, if you do plan on handing out freebies: you will come across solo stans or entitled people that will not be satisfied with not getting their favorite member so handle those situations as you best see fit (personally, I'd probably just deny them a freebie if they don't have a warm and approachable attitude from the jump)

Talk to people around you and make them feel welcomed and a part of the community: it can be as simple as holding the line for someone else to get their own freebies (this happened to me at the Expedition tour and I was able to spend the entire day with those group of girls), asking who someone's bias is and where they're traveling from, if someone shows signs of needing help with anything, extending a hand if you're able to do anything to resolve the situation, also if you end up sharing words with other people, wishing them a good night and to arrive to their next location safely! It may seem small and insignificant, but these moments can change the trajectory of someone's concert experience in a positive direction without you even realizing

Dance like no one's watching, but act appropriately to not become a nuisance to the group experience: be there to enjoy your time but not at the expense of everyone else's experience. There's room to be excited, but there's no room for disrespect and acting inappropriately: scream while everyone's invited to scream, be mindful of your bubble (I've had to confront people pushing into me before after dealing with it multiple times without an apology), let the artists have a moment to speak and share their thoughts with the audience (please don't use those ments to shout and try to grab someone's attention, especially for people like me that have auditory processing issues and can't always make out what's being said without repeating the statements), be a good sport to everyone around you, including the artists themselves. Just because you paid for the experience doesn't entitle to act unhinged

Experience the concert like a movie: there's excitement in the element of surprise. I usually refrain from looking for the setlists or fancams of previous stops before my stop, treating my concert experience like I'm watching a movie for the first time. Some groups will also play into the theatrics of the show itself with dance performances or stages outside of their promoted songs, even performing songs outside of their norms (such as Japanese releases) or pre released title songs (stream Bite Back - THE BOYZ everyone). Allow yourself to immerse within the environment: watch the VCRs, pay attention to the set design changes, be present in the moment where it's easy for people to fall back onto their phones when they're not be stimulated. Give kudos to all the moving parts that makes these shows spectacular and genuinely a once in a lifetime opportunity. Memorialize it, embody it, consume the energy that comes from everyone coming together and traveling far and wide to be in a shared space and experiencing a special moment that will never be replicated again. And don't forget to have fun and if possible, make fun for others as well! And do not fret if your attempts at conversing with people fall short: it's almost 9/10 nothing personal to you and doesn't actually have anything to do with you. Anything can happen within these 24 hours that can make or break someone's spirit, so don't take offense if people are there for reasons outside of your own. Some people are there to unwind and listen to their favorite music, others want to make friends, some want to get as many interactions with their faves as possible (which I have my own opinions about but it's not important), overall: despite what happens, find your silver linings to make do of what's happening and what's in your control. You are in control of your experience: no one else, so might as well make the most of it and share an equal responsibility with the artist to create fond memories for all of us to look back on with smiles and heavy hearts

Thank you for whoever made it this far: happy birthday to me! 🎂🧁🍰

[byemambo]

Concert Diaries: THE BOYZ - ZENERATION II

Artist: THE BOYZ

Tour: ZENERATION II World Tour

Date: July 21, 2024

Location: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA

Tier: SRA/Gen Admission

Time(s) Seen: Second time

Favorite Songs (Title Track): TATTOO, Levitating, Fantasize, DDD, Survive the Night, Back 2 U, REVEAL, The Stealer, Nectar

Notable Moments (in depth reflection under the cut):

Never been to the Fox Theatre before, it's beautiful in there and I finally experienced a concert with real seating aka cushions 😂

They also provided theatre concessions like popcorn, so I know some people were going to town

Every group I've seen in Atlanta has always said the same thing: "Atlanta is so HOT 🔥"

Jacob singing a snippet of Peaches - Justin Bieber

Kevin mixing up the dates of the previous concert in New York thinking it was "yesterday" instead of two days ago (dates of tour locations stagger every other day, so they were in Atlanta the day before the concert)

Eric and Q first time performing in Atlanta: Eric was on hiatus last tour in 2022, Q got sick while on tour and couldn't attend the Atlanta stop)

Haknyeon talking about Atlanta's sports culture: also asked if there were any sports fans in the audience def not me

Brought back pink hair predebut Eric, felt like I got teleported back to 2017 (which is crazy how I've been here since the beginning)

If I remember correctly: Atlanta is home to Sangyeon stans so they delivered whenever that man appeared on screen and talked, same energy last tour as well

The way I started losing my mind when they performed TATTOO (it's their first Japanese EP and I had no hope that I'd be able to see it in person one day since groups usually don't perform their Japanese discography outside of their fan concerts or in Japan)

The members taking time to acknowledge the second floor of the venue, and taking so many moments to scan and take in their image of the experience we're all sharing in that moment

The pure excitement and joy of being in stage and showing us how free they are when they're in the spotlight is addictive and yearned for: to keep their focus on their own path without engaging with any moment of disregard, undermining, or challenging their influence and presence in the industry

Sharing silly moments, such as them fooling around with the height of the mic stands during more fun and carefree songs

Witnessing the comfortability and confidence they now have from being in the industry all these years, while taking time to reflect on their journey as they were once young boys with a big dream ahead of them

The VCR was gorgeous: usually in between outfit changes, the videos shown usually compose of more behind-the-scenes footage (recording sessions, dance practices, self reflections, etc), but THE BOYZ really kept the concert consistent with their "Zeneration" concept (the theatre style venue made it feel like I was watching a movie)

My interpretation (since the Seoul concert VCR has more commentary and behind-the-scenes), there were lots of juxtaposition from a more industrial/sterile environment (all white set, cat walk, very interesting motion transitions (even though I used Adobe After Effects for animated illustration, VFX work on there is otherworldly), defying the natural laws through astrology and galaxy elements (traveling through space and seeing the warping of the universe was so dynamic and peaked my interest because I personally enjoy those themes), and teleporting us into a world filled with nature elements (open grass field, lakeside, flowers, trees, open sky).

THE BOYZ have been working for officially 7 years in December (which is the typical length of time a contract lasts), and I had the privilege of witnessing their growth and journey in finding their footing in the industry. Being a part of a "small company," the level of exposure and opportunities is drastically different in comparison to groups entering the industry from "big companies," whether from music show appearances, award ceremonies, variety show appearances, access to ambitious production professionals (music production, music video directors, content producers, etc). The threshold in attaining any level of commercial "success" is a financial and opportunistic division, which the industry currently operates on. Therefore, groups like THE BOYZ have to overexert themselves beyond what can be a walk in the park for other groups (which doesn't diminish the coexistence of all groups working hard while still acknowledging the innate advantages and disadvantages that vary from the level of influence a company has due to the saturated market), and from being so involved in their journey as a fan, THE BOYZ's ambition and passion in delivering the best performances while exploring and solidifying their artistic voice and color is one of their best traits that resonate to me as a multi stan.

With 7 years of experience, not only is their discography extensive and diverse, active solo/unit promotion (while bringing more attention to the group themselves) continues to keep THE BOYZ head above water for all these years. Appearing in shows like Road to Kingdom while also earning their ticket to join Kingdom: Legendary War, they only continue to make me proud to see them shining on stage and being recognized for their hard work and ambitions. Moments that resonated with me during those times were witnessing and sharing their vulnerable moments with us as the audience (which reminds me of Kevin mentioning after finishing their ballad songs that he kept forgetting the lyrics, but being met with empathy and a smile because we're all human and experiencing the same life full of pressure, anxiety, forgetfulness, etc): Sunwoo being so brave despite having a fear of being head below water and heights taking on many killing parts that challenged him and amplified the drama/storytelling of the performance, the members pushing the limitations of their bodies to showcase their creativity and drive to deliver to the audience something attention grabbing, Juyeon crying after finishing their Quasi una fantasia because he couldn't find his specific branch during the climax of the performance and felt that it could potentially risk their ranking (seeing the fancam of him scrambling on the side of the stage brought me heartache knowing how much pressure he puts on himself because of how deeply he cares about his performance), investing time to showcase a storyline throughout the show that built upon one another (from Eastern warriors, crowned kings, phantom thieves, blossoming sakura petals, and so much more). There is so much love and dedication to what they want to bring to the industry, while also understanding their strengths and capitalizing off of them: intentionality is the word that comes to mind.

From starting out with their school boy youth concepts from Boy as their debut song, silly resort employees in Thrill Ride, werewolf callbacks in REVEAL, defining what it being their individual versions of BE YOUR OWN KING means in their own right, thieves in The Stealer, competing against one another and resorting to violent methods to escape their doom in MAVERICK, exploring nostalgia as school boys again in Nectar, there are so many concepts and sides of THE BOYZ that has only solidified their position in my life as one of my favorite artists. The willingness to experiment and explore, the willingness to deliver new flavors of THE BOYZ while also calling back to past concepts as newer versions of who they once were at that point in their lives. Having so much awareness of the creative direction they're walking on is inspiring, it's admirable, it's cherished. Please give them their flowers, moments of acknowledging their efforts and impact they have on the world around them, and taking the time to return the love we receive from them tenfold. For some, it may seem like the end to a beginning, but with any end, there's always a beginning. I only hope and pray that they will continue down this flowering path and inspire everyone around them, while also taking moments for themselves to join in on the human experience and remove the fame and "idol" mask. That they are just like us, that they have their own worries and insecurities, their own qualms and moments of weakness, their own dreams and goals, their own paths to pave, their own acknowledgement of their emotions and down to earth contemplations. That we all aren't so different after all: that we all share the mutual exchange of love and energy for one another. We're all playing the same game of life: it's up to us to continue grounding ourselves and to return home to our safe spaces.

While driving home four hours away (ended up being three from me being ballsy and driving during midnight) from Atlanta shortly after the concert was over and everyone else attended hi-touch, I finally took the time to record a long awaited voice memo for myself: spent the entire drive reflecting and acknowledging areas of my life that deserve praise and have been on the back burner for a long time. Just from enjoying my time at the concert, the energy gave me so much strength, so much love and care, so much inspiration and desire to work harder, so much appreciation for living my life with intentionality, second by second, moment to moment. Moments like these mean the world to me, giving me evidence and more reasons to continue waking up every day whether to clear skies or thunder clouds. That there is more to this life than what meets the eyes. To some, it's never "this deep" or belittling people choosing to live in their authentic selves and love what they love even if it seems weird, lame, stupid, which to that I say: "don't yuck another man's yum" and "I hope that one day you will have the courage to reflect and meet yourself at such levels of depth where there's no reason to fear the judgment of others, society, the world. Where living in your authentic self will not only alter your relationship with your own pursuit of happiness, but wanting to share that same warm fuzzy feeling with the rest of the world. Nothing makes me more joyous than seeing someone else tap into themselves and light up like a chandelier, like a sparkler, like a candle, like a campfire, like a firework. Why wouldn't you want to witness such moments of pure passion and love?"

Next Concert: ATEEZ - TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER