There is something delightfully sweet about TRENDZ, as they radiate a sincere and genuine energy that makes everyone around them root for their success. Their albums are made with well-rounded narratives and are conceptually sound. Their most recent release in June, titled GLOW, explores their motivation and path to success, almost as if they are walking hand in hand with the listener, each with their own ambitions, and goals.

They are no strangers to working hard towards their dreams, having recently toured 30 cities across the US and Canada as part of the Leo Presents Kpop Breakout Tour alongside groups CRAXY, ICHILLIN’, and U-Chae. Shortly after, they arrived in Turkey to perform for their European FRIENDZ (their fandom name), who may not have had the chance to see them glow on their Morocco/Europe tour in January of this year.

Read More – TRENDZ on Their Debut

Before the show began, the group appeared to announce the winners of a “dance and dress up the competition”. The lucky fans were invited onstage to receive their prize packages as well as take a photo with the boys. The young crowd was ready to enjoy time with friends and embrace the carefree joy of youth. For those of us who were older, we hoped for a night off from our responsibilities and, instead, a chance to dance along to the fun.

If hard-working defined TRENDZ, then one more word would suffice: polished. There’s a saying that your efforts never betray you, and nothing could be more true than what they displayed on Sunday evening

Kicking the show off with VAGABOND and out with a burst of some pyrotechnic sparks, Havit and Eunil in particular, proved that their vocals matched the beauty of the chorus perfectly. It was also the first time I had seen a dance play take place among the crowd. A group of fans danced in sync with the members, making it clear that Turkish FRIENDZ had been waiting for their moment to show their appreciation. As TRENDZ moved into the fiery TNT (Truth and Trust), Yoonwoo, Eunil, and Havit pushed the track to its fullest potential, while rappers – ra.l and Yechan – brought a playful energy to their rap verses. 

Read More – TRENDZ Talk Growth, Overcoming Obstacles, and Movies

VILLAIN featured complex yet precise choreography involving thin white ropes, a prop that could easily spell disaster if mishandled. But credit should be given where it’s due. The seven members skillfully weaved around each other while singing live and flawlessly nailed the routine.

During their Ment, the members expressed their excitement about finally being in Turkey and how they had been enjoying the local cuisine. They were also surprised by fans who had dressed up like them in the TNT (Truth and Trust) video, an effort that earned them a signed album package. 

One particular observation – and of course, there’s no question that all the boys can handle the fast-paced choreography with ease. But Leon, as the main dancer and choreographer, naturally brings an extra flair, and his stamina is enviable. Even while focusing on all the members, Leon has a way of commanding attention, constantly jumping high in the background and bouncing with energy, even when not in the spotlight. Moreover, the group’s joy seemed just as important to them as nailing every note and dance step, with all seven laughing and making sure to enjoy themselves throughout the evening.

Up next was a K-pop mash-up featuring a variety of popular tracks. Starting with ra.L Eunil, and Yechan performing to The Real by Ateez. Although the backing sound was a bit unsteady at first, they quickly found their rhythm and ran like a smooth sailing ship. Which was perfect for what came next as the rest of the members joined for a dance medley of Butter by BTS, which of course was a huge crowd-pleaser. They began to have fun freestyling and joking around, transitioning into Say My Name by Ateez. It was the perfect energy boost, even if the night didn’t need one. The stage was rounded off with the mighty CHK CHK BOOM by Stray Kids. Leon then took it upon himself to show why he’s the main dancer and choreographer with a fast-paced, 60-second routine to BTS’s Jeon Jungkook’s Standing Next To You. To say, it left half of the room speechless and the other half jumping for joy – it was a true lesson on how to entertain an audience.  

With a fantastic discography, they had more than enough to fill an evening; however, choosing to perform a selection of K-pop’s biggest boy group hits was a wise move. The Turkish translator revealed there was to be a surprise cultural stage featuring a traditional Turkish dance. Each member gave their own freestyle version, while the others rallied around to cheer them on. Shortly after a brief break, the party resumed with a bang as confetti signalled round two. A new mix of covers followed, and Eunil channelled his inner Jungkook to perform a cover of 3D.

Alongside their strong work ethic and sense of humour, TRENDZ are a breath of fresh air with their sound. It’s refreshing to hear songs that are light and upbeat, even though they carry serious messages. It’s the kind of music that puts a spring in your step, thanks to tracks like New Dayz, Glow, and My Way. Among these, My Way emerges as a true gem – it’s a powerful and beautiful song that was an absolute joy to experience live. On stage, the three title tracks were accompanied by visuals from their popular music videos as they performed.

Read More – Exploring TRENDZ: Music, Fans, and Dreams

Tracks from each album were presented, and we finally had the chance to hear 2023’s Ven Conmigo and O.Y.E which I believe to be some of their most beautifully arranged tracks. Songs such as these require powerful vocals, but there was no cause for concern as we were in good hands, with a great energy that carried us through the performance. Unfortunately, the night eventually came to an end, and they concluded their incredible set with an encore of  Forever More. The apt final lyrics of “Every day, evеry night, make it last /Now and forever” were the perfect final notes to leave the venue with.

There was one last moment of audience participation, as they kindly asked everyone to turn their phone torches on for the Glow Challenge – it is a tradition for the boys to have fans sway their torches during the final group photo. Recording moments of each city they perform in, capturing memories like holiday postcards to show how many places they’ve toured in recent months. 

There’s no doubt that TRENDZ have that special IT factor, and they have what it takes to shine in the spotlight that they deserve. We, at View of The Arts, will continue to support their success and path to stardom, and we look forward to seeing them one day in the U.K. 

Rating:

Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of Global H Media

Big ‘thank you’ to Korever Company and Eventi Venti for organising the show.

_{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.}