On Saturday, November 5, thousands of ATINY flocked to Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA, as ATEEZ kicked off its THE FELLOWSHIP: BREAK THE WALL world tour. As the show began, screams filled the venue as ATINY eagerly awaited the octet to take the stage. As smoke filled the stage and the music kicked up, Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Mingi, San, Yeosang, Wooyoung, and Jongho, clad in black robes, appeared on stage the message was clear. ATEEZ was embarking on creating a new world and inviting fans to come along for the ride.
KQ Fellaz 2
Shortly before the concert was set to start, a group of ten young men lined up along the right side of the stage, Rumors of their identity ripped through the crowd but were immediately quelled the moment they took the stage. It was KQ Fellaz 2. Met with overwhelming cheers from ATINY, this sensation pre-debut group quickly captured fans’ hearts, successfully kicking off what would be one heck of a night.
“It’s an honor to open and perform for you. We hope you enjoy the show,” Minjae, the group’s leader, said during their brief introduction.
ATEEZ THE FELLOWSHIP: BREAK THE WALL - Oakland Arena
The concert promised a fun-filled night for ATEEZ and ATINY from the beginning. The show set the stage for the group’s month-long second world tour, and the members had a lot of surprises up their sleeves. The two-hour show spanned twenty-two songs from the group’s discography, including fan favorite “Say My Name” and the latest comeback track “Guerilla.” Not to mention they spoke nearly perfect English during their Ments, showcasing their dedication to communicating with fans.
I was on scene for opening night, which didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. From unreadable text and colored lighting to the inability to hear certain members’ vocals, here are a few things I noticed.
Typically colored lighting is used intermittently to compliment the performance or as backlighting. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case, as the members appeared blue, red, or even whitewashed on the big screen due to the lights.
ATEEZ’s songs are hard-hitting and meant to be played loud, but that doesn’t mean the music at the concert needs to be. Throughout their performances, members with softer vocals were drowned out by the music making their verses virtually unheard.
I am not quite sure if it’s a generational thing, but fans were slightly disrespectful towards those around them, as they frequently let out high-pitched ear-piercing screams. We get that you are excited, but please consider those around you.
Not only did I spot ATEEZ lightsticks (version 1 and version 2), but also ten other K-Pop group light sticks, including the ARMY Bomb, Nachimbong, Ahgabong, Satellight, Meumwonbong, and Neverbong to name a few.
Unfortunate events aside, ATEEZ delivered their usual high-octane energy that ATINY has come to expect, effortlessly going from song to song.