The Show Must Go On: VERIVERY PAGE: O in Covington

Photos by Ciara G.

VERIVERY’s Covington concert was a prime example of how true a phrase “the show must go on” can be in times of uncertainty. September 24, 2022 began on a rough note, at least on Madison Avenue in Covington, Kentucky. After an accident involving an electrical tower left the venue without power, there was a great bit of uncertainty as to whether the seventh show on VERIVERY’s PAGE: O tour would be able to go on as planned. By mid-afternoon, thanks to divine intervention – or a great local electrical technician – things had thankfully turned around, though some level of concern still hung in the September air.

VERIVERY’s last US tour in December of 2021 was sadly cut short, after member Yongseung tested positive for COVID-19 the day of the group’s Cleveland, Ohio concert. Their Cleveland, Harrisburg, and New York concerts were canceled, leaving their return to the states even more highly anticipated than it already would have been.

When show time rolled around, all of the day’s concerns and uncertainty gave way to joy and excitement as Dongheon, Hoyoung, Minchan, Gyehyeon, Yeonho, Yongseung, and Kangmin took to the stage of the Madison Theater. Things started on a high note with “Undercover,” their latest single off of first full album Series ‘O’ [Round 3: Whole]. From there, the night didn’t slow for a moment. Songs old and new were shared with the audience in a 17-song setlist, from 2019 track “Love Line,” to new, heartwarming B-side “Childhood.” American fans had their first chance to see 2020 track “Connect,” as well as bittersweet, March title track “O.”

VERIVERY pulled out several surprises for Covington throughout the night. This started with each member choosing a different numbered raffle ticket, each corresponding to a ticket of the same number held by a fan in the audience. The seven lucky fans whose tickets were drawn each received a ball signed by one of the members. Following this special moment was a set of unit stages. The group’s dance line, Dongheon, Hoyoung, and Gyehyeon, brought out a spirited cover of WANNA ONE’s “Kangaroo.” The vocal line, Minchan, Yeonho, Yongseung, and Kangmin, followed with their play on Why Don’t We’s “Love Back.” When the dance line rejoined the remaining members on stage, the group showcased an unreleased song, “Crack It.” They even showed alternative versions of two well-loved tracks, an English version of debut song “Ring Ring Ring,” and a rock version of “G.B.T.B” that had the theater erupting in cheers.

There is no question as to the level of performance quality that VERIVERY put forth at their concerts, and how enjoyable this makes watching them. However, something else that shines so brightly is the group’s adoration for their VERRERs, and their obvious gratitude toward those who took the time to show up to watch them that night - especially after the very real possibility that the show could have been canceled due to the earlier power issues.

After spending a bit of time in Covington prior to the show, the members saw it as a very quiet and peaceful city. The neverending energy of the VERRERs filling the theater, however, blew them away, and with awe in their voices, they expressed this exact sentiment, inquiring, “Where did you come from?” Each of the members so clearly fed off of this energy, and for both the group and the fans, this adoration and energy carried everyone through to the concert’s end. The group brought their biggest smiles and their most in-sync choreography, and fans brought hearty cheers and singing in response.

With the final notes of “Fine,” a happy night in not-so-quiet Covington drew to a close.

VERIVERY’s 16-city U.S. and Latin America PAGE: O continues on until October 16, for those who still wish to experience an intimate concert soaking up the bright energy of VERIVERY.

Edited by Kelly Sipko