One, two, three, and the curtains closed on another K-pop concert. Magic Sound, known for bringing top Chinese and K-pop talents to Europe, recently delighted fans with another fun show, this time featuring STAYC at London’s Troxy. Despite it being the girl group’s inaugural world tour, they were no strangers to London, having previously performed at Korea on Stage last November during the city’s celebration of the 140th anniversary of UK-Korea diplomatic relations.

2024 STAYC 1ST WORLD TOUR TEENFRESH in London began with the group’s 2020 debut single, SO BAD, which was produced by Black Eyed Pilseung, a duo known for working on songs for idol groups such as Got7 (If You Do), Teen Top (Hot Little Fire, Ah-Ah), Itzy (Cake), just to name a few. With its 2020s retro sound, STAYC showed some great attitudes right from the start. Unlike most acts, which save confetti for the grand finale, STAYC opted for an early burst of thrill.

“London, make some noise!” exclaimed the girls, before launching into one of their biggest hits, Run2U, a track written by B.E.P and Jeon Goon, with composition and arrangements by the twosome alongside FLYT. The decision to start with high-energy tracks was a smart one, clear in the crowd’s lively response to the next track, the Korean version of Poppy. After a brief ment, STAYC performed Young Luv from their 2022 release, Young-Love.com, presenting a mellower vibe that provided a welcome breather for everyone. They continued with Complex, demonstrating their vocal abilities, supported by a background VCR. Although their singing skills are not as good as some of the other girl groups, STAYC did prove they can perform live. A short break followed before they returned with Not Like You, showing new outfits and an even more spirited performance.

While tracks like Stereotype and Teddy Bear were enjoyable, LOVE didn’t quite hit the mark. However, 24/7, a slower R&B track, presented the girls’ charm and overflowing cuteness on stage. STAYC kept the momentum going with over two dozen songs, including a fun cover of Twice’s Fancy, which coincided with a change of outfits to black and burgundy. They also shared stories about their experiences exploring London, including visits to Notting Hill, the London Eye, and the V&A Museum, keeping the crowd engaged between sets.

The show featured synchronised dancing and energy during I Like It, while SLOW DOWN and Bubble provided the perfect ending. SLOW DOWN, with its Afrobeat sound, may not have immediately captured my attention, but STAYC’s undeniable charm won me over by the end. Bubble, produced once again by Black Eyed Pilseung, was a delightful sugar rush that summed up their signature “teen fresh” sound. While their performance at Korea on Stage may not have left a huge impression, this time STAYC proved that they have what it takes to rock the K-pop scene with their talent and vigour.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Magic Sound

_{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.}