Starting a solo career is both thrilling and challenging, and Yves, formerly of LOONA, recently took a bold step forward with her European tour, APPLE CINNAMON CRUNCH, which included a stop in the UK. Her London performance undoubtedly showed the courage needed to embrace this new chapter in her musical journey.

Though hints of nervousness occasionally peeked through, Yves delivered a strong performance. She began her set with LOOP from her debut EP of the same name, followed by Tik Tok and Gone Girl. From the moment she stepped on stage, she radiated a sweet, innocent yet vulnerable persona – perhaps a reflection of how challenging it can be to stand alone after years as part of a group. Despite these moments of vulnerability, Yves maintained her sparkle, engaging fans with her charm and live vocals.

Breaking away from a group to launch a solo career comes with immense pressure. Not only is Yves redefining herself as an artist, but she is also shouldering the responsibility of making a personal narrative, one that “speaks” to her fans. For many idols, going solo means stepping into uncharted territory – taking on the roles of lead vocalist, primary performer, and creative director, all while maintaining the connection that initially made them beloved.

Yves also included covers in her setlist, such as Harry Styles’ Falling, Keyshia Cole’s Love, and, to add to the pre-Christmas cheer, she performed Ariana Grande’s Santa Tell Me. Additionally, Yves had a Q&A session where she answered her fans’ questions pinned to a board. While one might have hoped for a more traditional concert performance, it can still be summed up as a showcase, which was quite enjoyable nonetheless.

One unexpected yet delightful moment during the show was the appearance of Blah, an emerging solo artist who captured my attention. With impressive vocals, Blah performed five tracks, including Time Slip Movie, 그래도 난 널 사랑하겠지 (roughly translated: Still, I Guess I Will Love You), 어쩌면 난 (Maybe I), 이미 지나간 일들이지만 (It’s Already Something That’s Passed), and a stunning cover of Harry Styles’ As It Was. Blah’s vocals were exceptional, presenting a remarkable level of skill for an artist so early in his career. Despite likely being his debut performance on the European stage, Blah delivered an outstanding and compelling set.

With several outfit changes and an additional performance featuring her talented dancers, Yves performed more songs, including Hash Tag, Afterglow, Dim, and a repeat of LOOP. While one could have hoped for more of Yves’ original material in the mix, the inclusion of multiple covers still impressed, particularly her cover of Die For You by The Weeknd. Even while covering iconic tracks, Yves’ live vocals were good.

Although the show was relatively short, Yves demonstrated skill and confidence, with only the occasional trace of fleeting nervousness – understandable given that this was her first major performance as a solo artist. The London show represented a key turning point in Yves’ solo career, and she passed this milestone with flying colours. While a few minor hiccups were to be expected, Yves’ composure and charisma on stage clearly showed that she is more than capable of thriving as a soloist. 

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Maggie Zhu for View of the Arts

_{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.}