Los Angeles has long been at the forefront of embracing different genres of music and entertainment. K-pop especially has received a warm welcome from the city. One group that has consistently seen the most appreciation is the rising Gen Z group TOMORROW X TOGETHER -- also known as TXT. Last year, the group (composed of five members: Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai) sold out two nights at the BMO Stadium with their 2nd world tour ‘ACT : SWEET MIRAGE.’ Replicating this massive success, they sold out the Crypto.com Arena on May 21 and 22nd with their 3rd world tour 'TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR <ACT: PROMISE>.'
The group has had whirlwind success since its debut in 2019 by HYBE (formally known as BigHit Entertainment). TXT is the second boy band to debut for the company after megastars BTS. In July 2022, they became the first K-pop group to perform at LOLLAPALOOZA in Chicago and returned a year later in August 2023 to become the first K-pop group to headline the festival.
The group's eclectic use of genres, including sprinkles of R&B, electronic, pop-rock and hip-hop, have been an essential part of their thriving career. Their latest project Minisode 3: Tomorrow landed in third place on the Billboard 200 chart and has dominated the top album sales and Artist 100 charts. A big triumph for a Korean singing act in the U.S. market.
From their stunning music videos and photo concepts, the band's visual storytelling was one of the things I was most looking forward to seeing live. And they did not disappoint. As you entered the area we were greeted by big LCD screens that transported us into their world. The theme of the tour is the band’s commitment to move forward together towards a hopeful future, a promise to the fans. It also continues the narrative of TOMORROW X TOGETHER's minisode 3: TOMORROW that 'tomorrow with you is a source of salvation and hope.'
Deafening screams and dog woof chants (an fun homage to their track "Cat & Dog") filled the arena as TXT made their grand entrance. Wearing white cloaks, the group made a striking appearance emerging from an elevated platform in the middle of the catwalk stage to the tune of "Deja Vu." Some MOA's (the fanbase name and acronym for Moments of Alwaysness) might be disappointed to hear that the group's background dancers aren't part of this tour run, but I think this created an intimate atmosphere. You could admire the intricate dance moves of each performance and listen to their vocal harmonies.
For not being fluent in English, I applaud TXT for the time they spent on stage interacting with their fans and playing games. Their youthful energy and charismatic personalities brightened up the room.
Each arc of the show featured different themes and wardrobe changes. For “Sugar Rush Ride” and “Farewell, Neverland” the group paid homage to their their Korean heritage by wearing hanbok clothing and incorporating the traditional Korean fan dance, buchaechum.
Unfortunately, Beomgyu had to leave the stage mid-show after suffering from a nosebleed. But like a champ, came back to finish off the show strong. Beomgyu, alongside HueningKai and Taehyun, had everyone singing along to the snappy chorus of "Quarter Life." Soobin and Yeonjun next had a turn on stage performing a seductive dance to their R&B duet "The Killa (I Belong to You). Keeping things interesting, TXT had a rock segment with the head-banging songs “Puma,” “Good Boy Gone Bad” and “Growing Pain.” HueningKai had MOA's screaming with joy when he pretended to play a fake electric guitar. The band's 27-song set list featured all the favorites from the euphoric “Chasing That Feeling,” to the catchy “LO$ER = L."
As the night was coming to an end, each member of the group took time to address the fans in their native language. Each sweetly thanked the fans for all the support and called LA a second home. TOMORROW X TOGETHER had the entire arena dancing til the very end, finishing off their set with the fan favorites "Miracle," "Cat & Dog" and "MOA Diary (Dubaddu Wari Wari).
For more on TOMORROW X TOGETHER, visit txt.ibighit.com.
Photo Credit: Curtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
