Few current pop groups have been built with ambitions quite as global as KATSEYE. Formed by HYBE and Geffen Records through The Debut: Dream Academy – with the process broadcast on Netflix for the entire world to see – the six-member group brings together performers from the United States, South Korea, the Philippines and Switzerland. Their international melange, coupled with K-Pop-style training and an injection of Western pop, has helped turn them into one of their generation’s most well-known girl groups.
However, the six-member group arrived at London’s O2 Arena shy of two: Manon has been on a temporary hiatus to focus on her health and wellbeing, while Sophia was also absent from the UK and European leg as she continues to prioritise well-being. That left Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae with the formidable challenge of bringing the energy of six to a concert absolutely packed to the rafters.
Easy peasy.
The girls strutted out onto the massive stage in fabulous garb; danceable crop tops and minis weren’t left an inch un-bejewelled, popping in pinks and vivid blues. To a crowd of unrelenting devotees, KATSEYE opened with their recent single “Hootie Frutti”, another number featuring Grant Gilmore’s polarising choreography. The girls make weird look good however, and even with less members than desired, they performed without flaw.
“Internet Girl” followed right after, keeping the energy at a high. Those familiar with KATSEYE’s concept and sometimes daring performances may be surprised to hear there were fans of all ages at the concert: even fans down to ages five or six years old. People online have already expressed their concerns aplenty about this, but perhaps a more optimistic view would be that it really does show how wide KATSEYE’s appeal spans. Little Mix, Fifth Harmony, BINI all had their younger audiences: it’s a fact of the music industry that where there are fun concepts, those of all ages will be intrigued.
Besides some other fabulous performances of KATSEYE classics – from throwback “Touch” to their widely popular “Gabriela” and “PINKY UP” – we also witnessed some fantastic solo dances from the girls, showing off how well each of them could fill out a stage just as well on their own. Lara, known for her irresistibly good vocals, used her time to shine with a solo piano rendition of “Unloveu”.
We all had to wait a bit longer for the epic finale however. “Gnarly”, undoubtedly the girls’ most popular song and the one that really shot them up in popularity, was left till the very end of the explosive night. Screaming fans upped the volume even higher and kept the lightsticks shimmering to celebrate the moment.
No matter your opinion of KATSEYE, no one can say a word about their dancing and singing skills: to be credited to the very nature of their coming together as a group via that survival programme. Even with the exhaustion of an energetic two hour show, the absence of two members, and the high stakes that performing their first big show at the O2 warrants, the girls had their performance power down to a T throughout. That’s just what dedication gets you.
London might not have experienced the full KATSEYE package: but they certainly enjoyed a completely unforgettable show.
KATSEYE’s THE WILDWORLD TOUR runs across Europe and North America until 28 November. Tickets for the remaining dates can be found here. KATSEYE can be found on Instagram here.
