Ateez has had an incredible year!
In May, they released a new EP, Golden Hour: Part 1, which has become one of the best-selling albums of 2024. They also made history by becoming the first K-Pop boy group to perform at Coachella and the first K-Pop act to headline the Mawazine festival in Morocco.
With a new album usually comes a tour, and the United States was first on the schedule. Ateez’s Towards The Light: Will To Power Tour in North America started on July 14, 2024, in Tacoma, WA, and ends on August 11, 2024, in Rosemont, IL.
I was lucky enough to attend the concert in Oakland, CA, and I can honestly say it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.
I’ve been going to concerts for over 10 years, and it takes a lot for me to say that a concert is among the best I’ve ever been to, but if you’ve ever seen Ateez live, you know that their performances are unmatched. Their energy is seemingly endless, and their love of their craft shines during every song.
“Get Up!” Ateez opened the show with “Crazy Form,” the electrifying lead single off their 2023 album The World EP. Fin: Will. The energy they displayed during this number continued for the rest of their 27-song set list. Their discography is extensive, but they played all the hits and more!
They followed this powerful start with a few fan favorites, including “Say My Name,” “Cyberpunk,” and “Halazia,” which is being performed for the first time in North America on this tour. The arena was electric, with Ateez delivering captivating choreography and stunning visuals. The use of fire and pyrotechnics also elevated the concert experience.
It was finally time for one of my favorite songs and one of the most memorable of the night, “Guerrilla.” Hongjoong, Ateez’s captain, captivated the crowd with an electric guitar solo. The raw passion in this number was truly spectacular. When Yunho urged us to “make some noise!” the audience quickly obliged with a deafening “break the wall” chant.
Each member was able to showcase their diverse and unique talents through the next section of the concert: the unit and solo performances. This is the first time we’ve been able to see these types of performances incorporated live.
“IT’s You,” performed by Yeosang, Wooyoung, and San, was the first unit performance. It included full choreography that enhanced the storyline of the song and showed the sensual style that fans have come to expect from this sub-unit.
Mingi and Yunho followed with their song “Youth.” The performance opens up with a skit where Yunho and Mingi, who in reality have been friends since high school, recall auditioning for the same company without the other knowing. At the end of the skit, Yunho says, “Imagine us taking the stage together someday. Sounds amazing, right?” The song reflects on the struggles and fear that come with entering adulthood and is fitting for them as they were able to navigate it together.
Next, Jongho, the group’s main vocalist and youngest member, stunned with his solo song “Everything.” He is known for hitting powerful high notes in Ateez’s songs, but for his solo, he was able to show his full vocal range. Seeing it live was incredible, and I hope that a greater range of his vocal abilities are further showcased in upcoming songs.
“MATZ,” the final unit song of the night, featured the group’s two eldest members, Hongjoong and Seonghwa. This track stands out from Ateez’s typical musical style, taking a more experimental approach and deviating from conventional song structures. The recorded version of the song does little to encapsulate the essence of the performance: they are rock stars. Hongjoong’s stage presence and sheer energy were undeniable and left a lasting impression.
Ateez closed out the show with five of their most energetic and dynamic songs. The final song before the encore, “Wonderland,” far surpassed my expectations. It is one of my favorite Ateez songs, and witnessing the theatrics, choreography, and live vocals all come together into a unique and captivating performance was truly remarkable.
The encore featured a medley of popular upbeat songs and closed with a few slower, more introspective ones. I feel that the setlist structure worked really well, as the slower numbers provided a reflective conclusion to the otherwise lively and exhilarating two-hour set.
Going into this concert, I thought I knew what I was in for, but Ateez gave so much more. Songs I already enjoyed took on a new life and meaning, and I gained a deeper appreciation for the members’ talents and individuality. I’ve been to many concerts, and very few have left me wanting more. I can’t wait to see Ateez live again!
