Fans of K-pop are undoubtedly familiar with Got7 and its members. While the group has departed from JYP Entertainment and the members are currently pursuing individual careers, it’s important to note that Got7 has not disbanded. 

BamBam has already made a name for himself, and in 2023, the artist announced his solo world tour, Area 52. The first leg of the tour included performances in Seoul, Manila, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Osaka, and Yokohama, which turned out to be successful. Despite the cancellation of the US segment due to BamBam’s injury, fans in South America and Europe were fortunate enough to see his performances, including a show in London.

While the venue in London, O2 Islington Academy, was much smaller compared to those in Paris and Frankfurt, BamBam delivered an intimate performance to a few hundred fans for a change. Intro (Satellites) opened the show with the artist dressed in a black and red sparkly top along with matching dual-coloured hair. As female dancers accompanied him on stage, he showed off his dancing skills in Wheels Up. With flawless synchronisation alongside his dancers, his movements were not only perfectly executed but also boosted the dynamism and flair of the performance. Pandora, from the 2021 riBBon EP, kept up the high energy with an excellent dance routine yet again. Prior to the first VCR being played, BamBam performed Sour & Sweet from his debut full-length album of the same title, as well as Ride or Die from his 2020 release What Da Streetz Been Missin’. The latter song brought a lively mix of Hip-hop and R&B vibes, making us dance to the beat.

With more songs ahead, BamBam kept his fans entertained. During Let’s Dance, the stage saw only the mic and the artist. In the semi-darkness, he sang his heart out, albeit heavily autotuned. Following Who Are You and Outro, BamBam addressed his fans: “Last time I was in London was five years ago, is everything okay? Cheers to London, I love you guys”.

BamBam displayed a sweet and approachable manner that instantly drew people in. He possesses a genuine kindness that radiates from within, making everyone around him feel valued and appreciated. Following Take It Easy and Ghost, BamBam moved into a lengthy ment, which also featured a special raffle for a meet-and-greet with the artist. In all honesty, I’ve never quite understood these extended breaks during shows; they often feel like fillers when artists may not have a large enough repertoire to present. While such moments are undoubtedly enjoyable for fans, they can be rather dull for those who simply wish to appreciate the music exclusively. 

Trippy Toe, Air, and Subliminal followed next. BamBam also showed some love for fans of Got7 by performing Angel from their 2016 Japanese studio album, Moriagatteyo. He also performed NANANA, Hard Carry, Lullaby, and a few more, closing the show with Breath from the group’s 2020 fourth full-length album, Breath of Love: Last Piece. 

While BamBam undoubtedly has excellent talent as a rapper, his forays into singing often leave something to be desired. Unfortunately, his reliance on autotune and lip-syncing tends to detract from the quality of his music. While autotune can be an effective tool when used judiciously, its excessive application can obscure genuine vocal ability, and this was a visible issue throughout the performance.

Although his fans may overlook such nuances, many music enthusiasts value the raw authenticity of live singing. It appears that the predominance of lip-syncing in K-pop has become so ingrained in idols that it no longer surprises me. Nevertheless, considering BamBam’s creative skills and superb rapping, one might have expected him to show his live vocals. In addition, with over a decade in the K-pop industry, one would assume he understands the importance of playing to his strengths. It’s a shame that the show took place in a smaller venue, as I’m certain BamBam had much more to offer, especially with the accompaniment of his ten incredible dancers that night. Despite the technical considerations, seeing BamBam in London was an absolute blast!

Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Loretta Rodrigues for Onion Production

_{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.}