The story of EartH Theatre, now known as Evolutionary Arts Hackney (EartH), is as fascinating as the shows it holds. Originally built in 1936, this Art Deco building was once a beloved community hub. It thrived as a cinema for decades until the last film was screened in 1984. In the years that followed, the building saw various uses until 2015, Auro Foxcroft, along with the team behind Village Underground, embarked on an ambitious £3 million renovation project to breathe new life into the space. After three years, in September 2018, the doors of EartH reopened, unveiling a multi-arts venue complete with a concert hall, restaurant, and bar. Since then, it has welcomed performers, from Self Esteem and Little Mix to Ed Sheeran, James Acaster, and Little Simz, firmly establishing itself as a key player in London’s cultural scene. And this was the place where A.C.E, a quintet from South Korea, performed their sold-out show. 

At precisely 8 pm, A.C.E stepped onto the stage, indicating their long-awaited return to London with a performance of Goblin (Favorite Boys) from their 2020 mini-album 호접지몽 (HJZM: The Butterfly Phantasy). The opening lines, “Turn me up so they can hear this, Louder! Your favorite boys are back,” sparked a superb response from the crowd, perfectly capturing the thrill of their comeback. Although they opted for casual outfits and minimal staging – featuring only a virtual backdrop – their powerful live vocals and synchronised choreography showed that sometimes less is more. 

Savage was the second song sang by the group and they delivered an impressive performance with good vocals and nonstop dancing that showed off their good stamina. This track from A.C.E’s 2019 mini-album Under Cover: The Mad Squad kicked off with Byeongkwan’s rap. The song’s rhythm made it impossible not to tap my feet and sway along, and with some demanding high notes, Donghun, Chan, and Jun executed the song beautifully, and Wow was just wow!

As A.C.E took a moment to catch their breath after the performance, one of the members joked, ‘I couldn’t hear the beats because of your screams!’ He then shared how it felt to be back in the UK, noting, ‘It’s been a while since we visited; it’s been almost five years.

While K-pop fans revel in these exchanges, it would be refreshing for idol groups to keep these talks shorter. For those who may not be die-hard K-pop enthusiasts, the focus should ideally remain on the music. Perhaps a break from the usual questions about food recommendations would be welcome, as these topics tend to dominate K-pop shows. Instead, bringing more excitement and spontaneity into these moments would enhance the overall experience for everyone, especially those who want to get to know K-pop a bit better. 

Changer from their 2021 Changer: Dear Eris release followed next. The song, yet again, presented a good live execution, with the members hitting the high notes flawlessly, enhancing the energy of the performance. Despite the fatigue that comes with their recent travels worldwide, A.C.E were full of joy, completely immersed in their own bubble alongside their fans.

Next up was My Girl (English Version), a laid-back, groovy track that let the interesting choreography take center stage. The group’s vibrant energy and perfectly coordinated moves clearly justified the sold-out crowd, with every note hitting its mark. Facetime, though short, kept the audience engaged before moving to Down, which gave the group a chance to catch their breath without losing the dynamic flow of the show.

When Higher from the 2021 SIREN: DOWN mini-album came on, the lack of staging proved inconsequential as the members’ voices took centre stage. A.C.E’s vibrant zeal passed through the venue, with the crowd singing along so passionately that it felt less like a concert and more like a raucous choir rehearsal where everyone suddenly discovered their inner pop star!

Baby Tonight flaunted A.C.E’s R&B flair. The vocals were delivered nicely, and the dance routine was more relaxed, perfectly fitting the song’s vibe. Regarding synchronisation, the group consistently proved that it was second nature. I must admit that each performance showed their natural star quality. Like the previous song, Clover manifested their exceptional co-ordination and line distribution, proving that their vocals are more than enough to keep the audience engaged even when they’re not dancing.

As the tempo picked up with Supernatural, the audience couldn’t help but wish for a little air conditioning; yet, the energising, fast-paced song had everyone on their feet. After a video intermission, the show continued with A.C.E’s 2024 fourth single, Anymore. Effortless, released as a prelude to their sixth mini-album My Girl: My Choice, was yet another display of the group’s evolving sound. The setlist continued to impress with tracks like Chasing Love, Slow Dive, Undercover, and Just Better, with the latter bringing forth a nostalgic vibe reflecting early One Direction.

A.C.E concluded their London show with Angel – another English digital single that showed their vocal strength in a gentle setting – and Story, from the 2021 SIREN: DOWN release. In all honesty, the rich harmonies and beautifully made melodies were the perfect way to close the show; the group also took a moment to soak it all in, flashing big smiles as they bowed gracefully.

Now, one can only hope we won’t have to wait another five years to experience their energy again – after all, who could resist such a great performance? With their charm and talent, A.C.E have surely etched this night into the hearts of every fan present, leaving us all excited for the next chapter of their journey.

Rating:

Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of A.C.E (X)

_{The setlist was provided by A.C.E’s fan, Claire Campion}

_{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 hope our audience will grow with us as we 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.}