With a snake-like queue of fans around the block, as I entered The Troxy, I realised this would be the first time I would be attending a K-Pop show unaware of what I was getting myself into.

With the tour titled Luck Inside 7 Doors, the girls took that luck and turned it into magic, freeing us from the gloomy grey skies of London and conjuring up a magnificent display of femininity. The VCR Intro, This My Fashion, saw each member appear dressed in cloaks, summoning their magic books and preparing to bewitch us by giving us a glimpse into their fantasy land.

Opening with OOTD, it was the ultimate girl power anthem: “O-O-T-D, this is my fashion; shut up; no more questions”. It was a fantastic way to start the show with a strong feminist statement, as how many times are we told what we can and cannot wear? Dreamcatcher took that power back, showing confidence in their individual styles of black grunge-esque outfits.

Swiftly moving onto Black Or White, it was Siyeon that captured my attention, not only for her pink hair but also because of her personality, which radiated from sultry to cheeky. For those in attendance who perhaps hadn’t succumbed to Dreamcatcher’s aura and stage presence just yet, then the black-and-white vortex visuals hypnotised you into watching their every move. 

After this, we were introduced to each member, and although we had a translator, the girls were determined to say hello in English. The interactions were playful and fun, consisting of flirtatiousness and excitement. “Let’s do a vibe check tonight London, are you ready to have a good time with us? We can’t believe you waited in the rain for us today.” Revealing that this was their fourth show in London since their debut back in 2017, they were happy to come back for their seventh anniversary. Although it had been two years since their last visit, fans had been patiently waiting for their return, and the girls were surprised at how big their fandom had grown, making the night feel extra special.

Propose was their time to showcase just how talented they are by wowing us with their incredible live vocals. With seven voices on stage, their high-pitched harmonies were so beautiful that it sent shivers down my spine. As they sang out, the background saw blooming roses synced up with InSomnia’s light sticks, creating a sea of fluorescent red.

What was particularly fun to watch was how the staging matched the aesthetic of each track, especially during Rising. A striking moment was the appearance of dark storm clouds that made you want to get swept up and dance in the rain.

Plenty of interactions took place between the girls and their fans, and it was an audience I hadn’t seen at a K-pop show before – one that was diverse, with people of all ages and genders in one place. What was rare was that the girls barely took breaks, and with a packed setlist of twenty-two tracks, they opted to stay on stage for as long as possible. Their next VCR played out like the opening credits of a K-Drama. With the gentle sounds of a piano playing, they descended on the screen in their white outfits. It acted as a tale of two halves, as these were seven rock girls not to be messed with. It felt like they were proving that they could be soft and angelic without having to confine themselves to one look.

With a discography including genres like Rock, K-pop, and Metal, it felt like a Rock concert thanks to songs such as Wake Up. The roaring riffs of the guitars encouraged everyone to erupt, singing out “So I can go anywhere”. It was as if we were starring in our own angsty coming-of-age movie as we all jumped about carefree. This was in stark contrast to Fairytale, where again the staging set the scene. Visually, we were frolicking together through an enchanted forest, and although it was a softer listen, it did make for a nice rest from the Rock & Roll thrills of previous tracks. Their vocals were so delicately delivered that I found it quite emotional, our worries were left at the door as we wandered into a magical fairytale.

Closing the show with We Are Young and Reason, it was refreshing to watch a girl group who knew their own image and sound. There was just one word to describe the show: wow. Not only did they put on a well-executed show, but importantly brought joy to everyone watching. iU, Sua, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami, and Gahyeon did a fantastic job at welcoming us into their world for two hours.

While the K-pop industry has many girl groups, there are very few that do an outstanding job of breaking from the confines of the sweet school girl image. Instead, Dreamcatcher are empowering women, and they’re marching to the beat of their own drum. My one and only complaint is that no one introduced me to them sooner.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}