SEVENTEEN Burns Brighter Than the Blazing Houston Sun

When talking about the group’s artistic goals, SEVENTEEN’s general leader S.Coups has always emphasized that they take the most pride in their performance. After prematurely ending their world tour Ode To You in 2020 due to COVID-19, the performance powerhouse took their dazzling stage presence virtually through several fan meetings and two online concerts, In-complete and Power of Love, that were unfortunately without the passionate cheers from CARATs in the live audience. Following two and a half years of greeting their fans through the screen, the 13-member group finally embarked on their long-awaited world tour with the enthusiasm of CARATs all around the globe. Their previous world tour Ode To You was a nod to the group’s third full album An Ode, and similarly, the 2022 tour name BE THE SUN was after their most recent full album, Face The Sun, which came out in May. 

Houston was the fifth stop on their North American leg that started at the beginning of August. The stop was also chosen to be livestreamed to audiences in 16 countries including Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Chile. Though the weather was wavering from a windy rainstorm at noon and back to beaming hot later in the day, CARATs’ excitement to see the boys was unchanging. Unfortunately for fans who waited a long time to see an OT13 stage (with leader S.Coups missing from their 2020 tour), members Dino and Mingyu had to sit out of the concert due to testing positive for COVID-19. Even with the difficult feat to fill in for the empty spots on stage, the remaining 11 members still delivered impeccable and complete stages that certainly solidified their title as performance kings.

The BE THE SUN setlist had something for everyone, from more recent songs in their discography for those who just got into the group, to nostalgic fan-favorites for long-time CARATs. It also comprised a unique mixture of genres and never-before-seen song arrangements. Before the actual concert, music videos from the group’s seven-year discography were shown on LED screens. One song in particular, “CHEERS” performed by SEVENTEEN’s leader line S.Coups, Hoshi, and Woozi, received immense screams and cheers from the audience. As a leader line enthusiast myself, if there was another song I could add to the tour’s setlist, it would no doubt be this banger! 

The opening saw the members in dashing black with gold-accented outfits approaching elevated platforms and facing the crowd as the lights illuminated their presence. After a moment of pause, the energetic intro from “HOT” had everyone pumped up right from the get-go. The performance was hot in the literal sense, with all the Caratbongs (SEVENTEEN’s official lightstick) in the venue syncing up to match the fiery flame cannons on stage. Following an explosive solo outro of member Hoshi firing a flamethrower, another blazing performance of their anthemic song “March” continued to utilize the pyrotechnics to the fullest. Completing the group’s trio of openers was the high-energy and intense “HIT.”

As SEVENTEEN poured their all into performing, CARATs returned the passion equally in spirited screams. “Houston, you guys are crazy!” exclaimed Hoshi at the beginning of SEVENTEEN’s greeting. Despite being breathless from the sweat-dripping first few songs, the members were playful throughout their opening ments, making jokes like “Boo-ston” deriving from member Seungkwan’s surname Boo, doing energy checks with the audience, and teaching them the tour’s official chant. SEVENTEEN wasted no time to resume the show with a medley of pop-punk inspired tracks including “Rock With You” and members Joshua and Vernon’s English duet, “2 MINUS 1.” 

After a VCR break, the next segment introduced a quintessential part of every SEVENTEEN concert: the sub-unit stages. Divided into the official performance, vocal, and hip-hop sub-units, each group showed unique stage colors while playing to their respective strengths. First up was performance unit sans Dino, gracing the stage in sheer silver sequin outfits that complemented the cool-toned backdrop. Even in cool blue-purple lighting, the performance of “Moonwalker” and “Wave” heated up the arena with its rhythmic deep house beat and alluring choreography. 

Hoshi, Jun, and The8 had the audience in awe with their smooth moves that commanded everyone’s attention.

Tagging in after the trio, the vocal unit sat on stage stairs covered in greenery to sing their first song, “Come To Me.” Transitioning from the tropical house track, the five members – Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi, DK, and Seungkwan – moved to the extended stage to get closer to fans for a heartfelt performance of “Imperfect Love.” Seeing fans sing along to the chorus with the members in a falling sea of confetti, one couldn’t help but get teary-eyed at such a wholesome fan-artist moment. “Because it’s CARATs every day, I’m happy,” the vocal unit endearingly shouted at the end of the song before exiting the stage.

Hyping everybody back up after two sentimental stages, the hip-hop unit performed hyperpop “GAM3 BO1” and boisterous “Back it up.” Also missing one member with Mingyu out recovering, S.Coups, Wonwoo, and Vernon made sure the energy remained on the incline. In all-black outfits, the trio initiated many headbops and fistbumps from the crowd from the part lively and part aggressive stage. 

For the “freshteen” lovers, including myself, the holy trinity of “Mansae,” “Left & Right,” and “Very Nice” provided the biggest serotonin rush of the night with their bright, cheerful vibes. SEVENTEEN changed into comfortable red streetwear-inspired jumpsuits and started the segment with a comical skit to gather all the members on stage. At every stop, Vernon entered the stage singing a song by an artist who hails from each tour location. For this stop, he came out on stage singing “Single Ladies” by none other than the Houston queen herself: Beyoncé. Their funky 2015 release was the perfect nostalgic touch to the setlist and my personal, biased favorite as it was the song that got me into the group. “Left & Right” was another fan favorite of the night that had a new trumpet arrangement and groovy opening dance. And of course, you truly haven’t experienced a SEVENTEEN concert until you’ve been aju niced. The boys brought back their beloved concert anthem “Very Nice” for this tour to fans' enthusiastic reactions. SEVENTEEN encouraged all those from the barricade and the very back to bounce along to the energy-pumping track. “EVERYBODY JUMP!” the members screamed into their mics.

Photo credit: Pledis Entertainment

Following another intermission for a quick outfit change, the boys entered the stage in futuristic chic metallic silver and black outfits and performed “Shadow” off of their fourth full album Face The Sun. Regretfully, Dino, who composed and wrote the song, couldn’t be there to sing his masterpiece. Doing a complete 180 from melodious “Shadow,” the start of “Crush” took everyone by surprise with its intense intro and pyro effects to match. SEVENTEEN took a break from performing to recharge and talk to the audience. The members exchanged words of gratitude for not only an amazing turn out from the fans but also their unwavering high energy throughout the concert.

For their last song, the group performed their latest title track “_World” with an ethereal galaxy backdrop. Ending off the main concert how they started, the members approached the elevated stairs on stage and faced the crowd of adoring fans. As the lights dimmed, the cameras panned to the various creative, heartwarming, and funny signs that fans made for the concert. Hearing the endless chants of their name, the 11 members came back on stage for the encore, looking relaxed in their casual tour merch as they sang their first English single “Darl+ing” and idyllic 2018 gem “Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day.” After heartfelt ending ments and picture time with the crowd, SEVENTEEN playfully interacted with Houston CARATs through a zestful performance of “Snap Shoot.” They formed a dance circle and showed off their killer moves to the cheers of fans and the teasing amusement of their own members.

Toward the end, the boys went to the edge of the stage to pick lucky fans to join in on the fun. One of SEVENTEEN’s biggest charm points is their ability to make a big arena feel like such an intimate space – whether it’s by making the effort to greet those on the floor to all the way in the rafters or actively including their fans in stages. If one stage of “Very Nice” isn’t enough, SEVENTEEN cued the music to perform it another time, and maybe several extra rounds after that too. The never-ending “aju nice” encore has been a tradition for the group since 2018, and it still continues to be iconic and something to look forward to at any SEVENTEEN concert. They once again chose lucky fans from the crowd to participate in the performance – this time to show off their vocal skills and sing Seungkwan’s high note in the song. Running, dancing, and jumping for no less than 10 minutes of the looped song, SEVENTEEN gave it their all before having to say goodbye to the crowd and take their final bow. Pro-tip from a seasoned concert CARAT: Don’t be fooled by the first few goodbye fakeouts!

In January of 2020, SEVENTEEN came to Houston for the first time in their career and held a concert at the Smart Financial Centre. This time around, they headlined a venue in the same city, yet tripled the capacity with almost 18,000 people in attendance. There’s no doubt that an act like SEVENTEEN belongs on the stage. As they are still progressing in their career, it is only right for their shining presence to grace bigger venues on a larger scale. Comparable to both blinding diamonds and the searing sun, SEVENTEEN truly shines the brightest when they are doing what they do best – perform.

Edited by Cara Musashi