With members JEONGHAN, WONWOO, HOSHI, and WOOZI away completing their mandatory two years of military service, the remaining nine members of K-pop group SEVENTEEN were given a tall order for the aptly-titled NEW_ World Tour: master new vocal assignments and choreography formations while somehow minimizing the absence of the other four members.
But the challenge proved to be no match for this record-shattering group, which received the title of ‘Top K-Pop Touring Artist’ at the Billboard Music Awards last year.
Keep reading to find out more…
SEVENTEEN turned the reality of having fewer members on stage into an opportunity to expand their performance repertoire, showcasing unofficial sub-units, solo performances, and even live instrumentation. After over a decade in the biz, not only can they still put on an impressive show, but they can do so even with an incomplete roster.
Fans, known as CARATs, packed Moody Center, lightsticks in hand, for Night 2 of their stint in the Texas capital. Many were decked out in the group’s colors–serenity blue and rose quartz–or custom cosplays, and everywhere you looked, someone was handing out fan-made freebies.
SEVENTEEN is known for maximalist yet sophisticated performances consistent with the K-pop ethic of polish and precision. The NEW_ tour in particular set out to launch the group into the next era of activity following their 10th debut anniversary earlier this year.
Audiences can expect slick production characterized by creative transitions, fresh mixes, and lots of special effects, with SEVENTEEN’s signature charm sprinkled throughout like confetti.
The setlist was a mix of hit singles and deep cuts spanning their ten-year career as a self-producing group, with intermittent sections of audience requests performed a capella.
The opening stage kicked off with the energy and fanfare you’d expect of a finale. Members entered the stage to an instrumental mix of “Bad Influence,” produced by Pharrell Williams, in a manner reminiscent of the Louis Vuitton show that first played the then-unreleased track.
The group then performed two tracks from their fifth album “HAPPY BURSTDAY,” including the electrifying title track “THUNDER.”
SEVENTEEN traded sub-unit performances from the vocal, performance, and hip-hop teams for solo stages showcasing new sides to their artistry. The nine solos were grouped into three sets and balanced with additional group stages to break up a section of the setlist that could’ve felt monotonous, although fans would gladly accept all thirteen solos at once, if given the chance.
For CARATs, every track is a fan-favorite, and the members themselves were even surprised at the fervor with which unlisted songs like “Shadow” and “Ready to Love” were celebrated.
After the “final” song (SEVENTEEN is known for their long encores) “Rock with You,” fans enjoyed a sing-along medley DJ-style from group mascot Bongbongee. Then the nine members returned to their stage for fan interactions, closing remarks, and, of course, more music.
Being that this show was in Austin, the audience received a healthy dose of Texan fan service with “yee-haws” from DK, newly minted sub-unit CxM (S. COUPS and MINGYU) in custom cowboy hats, and Vernon donning an amusing UT jersey and Texas Rangers ball cap combo.
U.S. fans still have a chance to catch this tour in Florida and Washington, D.C. SEVENTEEN will then head to Japan for ten shows to close out this banner year.
As the members said their goodbyes, it was clear that no one misses the absent members more than the members themselves, especially group leader, S. COUPS. But SEVENTEEN promises to keep delivering top-quality music and performances to fans while they wait for the eventual reunion of all 13 members.
If this 10th anniversary year is any indication, the group’s still got the chops to make good on that promise. After all, who said old(er) idols can’t learn new tricks?
Reporting by Katelyn Kenney