PLT Goes Holic in NJ Giving Fans Loads of Love at Their First US Tour Stop
A cold front may have passed through New Jersey last Friday night, but in White Eagle Hall there was nothing but heat from the quintet from Planetarium Records' K-Hip Hop/R&B project group, PLT. PLT came onto the scene last year with their mini-albums Planetarium Case #1 and Case #2. As independent artists, they came on stage one by one, covering their own sets before coming in together as a whole. New Jersey was the start of the U.S. “We Go Holic” tour following their European tour earlier this year via MyMusicTaste. The crew of PLT, Gaho, Jinwoo, June, Villain and Moti, put on one hell of a show in the Garden State that had so much fan service and artist interaction that it’s likely to set the bar high for all the fans who waited for hours in the cold for the show.
all photos by Jean Libert
The first to arrive on stage was Gaho. Dressed in a dark suit decorated with tags, he slowly warmed up the crowd with his charming smile and soothing voice. The strip of tape that represented the line barrier that security had set up prior to the beginning of the show soon had no meaning as the fans rushed the stage to get as close as they could with nobody stopping them. Though apologizing for his English and nerves, Gaho spoke so well that nobody took notice. His voice was sweet as honey as he sang songs including “Going on,” “Fly,” “Pink Walk,” and “Stay Here.” When he went down on the floor at one point during his set, nothing could be heard but the screams and cheers from the crowd.
Jung Jinwoo would be the next to arrive on the stage. With a mop of curls and an endearing smile, Jinwoo’s presence would be a bit more introspective versus the other artists. Projecting a chill, yet sweet tone, Jinwoo’s tracks included “Satellite,” “Problems” and “She’s got Everything.” On top of this was an unreleased song that he treated the New Jersey audience to.
The R&B tones would continue with June. The former BigHit trainee and composer came on in a casual, yet composed manner and he was ready for the night. Though a couple tracks would be sung seated, those lucky to be at stage level got plenty of love from June when he migrated across the stage. With songs such as “Serenade,” “Gas Station,” “For” and “Tonight” on the evening’s repertoire, the sardine-like packed crowd melted.
The mood shifted with Villain’s arrival. Full of Jay Park-esque swag, the brilliant blue-haired rangy California native arrived to greet his people for the night. His set, which he momentarily laughingly forgot the order to midway, included “Fairy,” “Rescue Squad,” “A Piece of Work,” “Manitto” and “Luhvin it.” Though the audience was hyped throughout, it was during Villain’s set that they really lit up and Villain was loving every moment. Though there were lyrical seated moments, the set quickly moved from the chair to dancing. There was a new level of intimacy being formed at this show and everyone felt the energy.
There was one artist left, the classically handsome Moti arrived also sporting the dark suit fashion. Singing “Humble,” “Blue,” “Go” with June and a new unreleased track, his excitement to be in New Jersey was palatable. You could almost have called this the pause before the chaos, because once everyone was on stage fueled by their energy filled group tracks, it was pandemonium. The guys were engaged every moment, doing everything they could to prove to their fans that their time outside waiting in the cold was worth it.
What followed was the highlight of the night. In the fashion of Hip-Hop group concerts, everyone was back on stage for the end. PLT was more than ready to jump into their collaborative tracks with their popular recent hits “Hocus Pocus,” “Glue” and of course “I Go Holic” (the latter sung twice). But the focus in White Eagle Hall that night was not as much on watching performers as trying to get their attention. Most of the set, the crew was right in front moving from one side to the other, singing into the phones of fans, signing albums, giving high-fives and showing everyone who bought VIP and who stood in line for hours prior to the show so much love that they’ll never forget it. There was no encore, though maybe the repeat of “I Go Holic” was meant to be, but as the afterparty was going to be in a club in New York, fans weren’t too disappointed as they could have another chance to interact with them. The energy in the pit with fabulous fans combined with artists who gave as much love as they could give equaled an amazing night.
