TRENDZ have finally made it to London, and what a journey it’s been! Since their debut in 2022, the seven-member group has proven itself to be one of the most exciting rookie acts in K-pop. Armed with sharp vocals, they do sing live!, powerful performances, and a clear artistic identity, TRENDZ have steadily built a name for themselves, not only through their music, but through their drive.

Our journey with TRENDZ has been a full-on K-pop adventure. We first vibed with the group back in April 2023 when they dropped NEW DAYZ – and let’s just say, the admiration began. By October, we were back at it, immersed in discussion about STILL ON MY WAY (and honestly, so were we… still on our way to becoming full-time TRENDZ stans). Fast-forward to 2024 – déjà vu hit hard as we caught up again to talk DREAMLIKE. And just before their big European tour? Yep, we linked up one more time to chat about their latest chameleon-like transformation in Chameleon. Safe to say, we’re living in TRENDZ’s multiverse – and we’re not mad about it.

It was a no-brainer. When TRENDZ landed in London, we had to be there to finally witness them live. Their show took place at 229, a venue that’s hosted artists such as Kings of Leon, James Arthur, and Keane. And how is anyone supposed to breathe when TRENDZ opens with My Way, a beast of a track from their 2024 release REBIRTH? With its energy, the song never lets up; it’s a full-force rush of motion and ambition, daring you to keep up with whatever breath you’ve got left… if any, after that opening verse. Lyrically, the song is all about fighting through doubt and pain, and still sprinting toward one’s destiny. With lines like “Let’s make it right and make it higher” and “Every day, keep on running my way,” the message is quite powerful: no hesitation, no turning back, just pure forward momentum. The beat? A great mix of pop and hip-hop, filled with bold vocals and fierce rap verses. So really, how can you not be breathless when the first track hits this hard?

What came next? One of my favourites – Nightmare. Then boom: WHO and CLIQUE. By the time they hit the fourth track, I was already out of breath, and I wasn’t even the one performing! The live vocals? Impressive. The energy? Olympic-level. WHO especially impressed me with its rap moments; it proved that this group can do it all, whether they’re hitting high notes or spitting bars.

After a brief ment, the group treated the audience to a few covers, including solo stages of As It Was (Harry Styles) and Viva la Vida (Coldplay). Vocally? They absolutely delivered. Then came a K-pop dance medley featuring choreography from BTS, P1Harmony, NCT, and J-Hope; short, but packed with fun. And honestly, where do they find the energy? With barely any downtime between shows (and a tour that seems more like a marathon), TRENDZ performed tirelessly with full vocals and choreography. I was truly impressed with their level of stamina and professionalism.

TRENDZ also gave us a taste of their latest release, Chameleon, and that dance routine was quite a show. GLOW came next, followed by van conmigo. And, believe it or not, the group did not slow down. There was also time for the guys to chat about their first experiences in London. They were genuinely excited to be visiting the city. Villain brought a pretty cold concept dance routine, which I absolutely loved.

VAGABOND, from their 2022 BLUE SET Chapter. [UNKNOWN CODE], sounded amazing live. The switch-ups between rap and vocals were smooth like butter, and with each track, TRENDZ kept raising the bar. I already knew their music, but wow, I did not expect a rookie group to bring that level of performance. The choreography was in sync ‘til the very last beat. Colour me impressed.

Fantasy and FOREVER MORE were the final songs before TRENDZ teased the crowd with the promise of more, and they delivered. For the encore, they brought the energy back with the cheeky charm of ddoO ddoO and wrapped it all up with the anthemic glow of NEW DAYZ. A superb finale to a show that never once lost its spark.

To be honest, TRENDZ didn’t just put on a star show; they were the stars. And if I could hand out more, the entire universe wouldn’t have enough to match how brilliant they were.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Maggie Zhu for View of the Arts

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}