ATEEZ Stage Killers Confirmed
On January 24, 2022, ATEEZ took to the stage at Newark’s Prudential Center for their largest crowd since their debut. For almost three hours, the members poured their hearts and souls onto the stage, leaving ATINY with a lifetime of memories and the knowledge that they really do support and love the eight best boys on the planet.
Main Setlist:
WONDERLAND (Symphony No.9 “From The Wonderland”)
Pirate King
Say My Name
Treasure*
Precious*
Utopia
Better
Still Here
Wave
INCEPTION
Deja Vu
Take Me Home
Desire
HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)*
Answer
Declaration
Fireworks (I’m The One)
Good Lil Boy*
The Leaders*
TO THE BEAT*
THANXX
ROCKY
The Real - Heung Version
Encore:
Eternal Sunshine
Dancing Like Butterfly Wings
Star 1117
Turbulence
*NOTE: song performed was shortened version
All photos by Roxanne Wilson
The first performance of the night was “WONDERLAND,” and I was thrilled when I realized it was the version that they performed during Kingdom: Legendary War and included on ZERO : FEVER EPILOGUE. There were slight changes in the performance, like Wooyoung’s dance break instead of him flanked by contortionists and Seonghwa wielding a sword while the dancers on either side of him held bows rather than the guns they held during Kingdom; however, what made the performance even more incredible was Mingi being there, as he was originally on hiatus during Kingdom. After “WONDERLAND,” the group spoke to the fans and introduced themselves, speaking a majority of the time in English (Yeosang introduced himself as “Doberman” and then immediately got shy, which was infuriatingly adorable). Once the introductions were out of the way, San announced that we would be going with ATEEZ on their “first voyage” before the group launched into “Pirate King” followed by “Say My Name.”
A shortened version of “Treasure” came next which flowed seamlessly into “Precious.” ATEEZ then left the stage for their first outfit change of the night. As they were away, a video package displaying each member looking at different items and finding old keys began to play. Hongjoong’s key was hidden in a record sleeve, Jongho’s was near a camera that had mysteriously taken his photo on its own, and Yunho found a key in a water pitcher. There were no answers given during this package, just each boy finding an old key before it switched to a different member.
When they came back onstage, ATEEZ were in beautiful white and soft blue outfits, fitting perfectly with the array of tracks they performed. The first was “Utopia,” followed by “Better” and “Still Here.” To be honest, I was quite surprised that they performed the latter two tracks, not because they’re bad songs, but I guess in my head I expected to hear “Aurora” and maybe even “Illusion” instead. That said, hearing “Better” and “Still Here” in concert was incredible; on a personal note, both tracks helped me get through hard times at some point in my life, and after losing my Betta fish Hala the day I left to head for Newark, it was really nice to be surprised like that.
“Wave” followed “Still Here,” but that’s when the soft concept tracks stopped, transitioning into their more sensually performed tracks. Before that, the members had a quick conversation about dreams they had recently, with Wooyoung joking that he’d dreamt their CEO took them shopping for whatever they wanted post-tour. This obviously led into “INCEPTION,” where the intro felt like it was straight out of an eerie dollhouse. “Deja Vu” came next, and it was equally stunning, though I think my favorite stage of the night was when they performed “Take Me Home.” The large screens behind them displayed the museum setting seen in the “Say My Name” music video while large reflective mirrors were rolled onto the stage. I don’t think words can truly do that performance justice.
“Desire” and a shortened version of “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” were the last performances in the white and soft blue ‘fits, followed by a video package of ATEEZ’s alter egos (lovingly referred to as HALATEEZ by ATINY). This package showed HALATEEZ as they went around inspecting the same items that ATEEZ found the keys in or around, with HALATEEZ’s interactions causing the keys to appear. When the boys came back, they were each in different outfits, and just like words cannot do the “Take Me Home” performance justice, they can also not do Wooyoung, Yeosang, or Hongjoong’s outfits justice. They were A Lot.
“Answer” and “Declaration” were next, and it was so cool to see San and Wooyoung perform “Declaration” live. I remember watching the 2020 Golden Disc Awards where ATEEZ performed “Answer” for the very first time and freaking out watching my ult and bias perform “Declaration” in 2020, and I will admit, I was not much calmer watching them perform it in 2022. However, every ATINY in attendance absolutely lost it when they started performing “Fireworks (I’m The One),” and I stand behind this: every ATEEZ performance that happened while Mingi was on hiatus is leagues better now that he is back. He was the missing piece, and I’m so glad that all eight boys not only were there but that they were all able to dance and perform.
After “Fireworks (I’m The One),” ATEEZ performed a medley of sorts with shortened versions of “Good Lil Boy,” “The Leaders,” and “TO THE BEAT.” While it would’ve been really cool to see the full performances, fans did still get the enjoyment of hearing Wooyoung and Hongjoong’s whispered lines during “The Leaders” and “TO THE BEAT” respectively. “THANXX” was next, with Wooyoung having the crowd shout, “GRACIAS!” at the beginning of each chorus. They took a short break to interact with the crowd some more, including an aegyo break for Wooyoung that had fans screaming, before their performance of “ROCKY.”
Their last song before the encore was “The Real - Heung Version,” and it was amazing. If there is one song for them to show off and flaunt their incredible dancing skills, it’s “The Real.” ATEEZ oozed charisma out of every pore and left it all on the stage, ending the performance with San and Jongho dancing in a semi-circle created by the remaining members.
As ATINY waited for the boys to return for the encore, another video package aired; however, this time it was ATEEZ talking about what postponing the original tour meant to them, how they handled with not being able to perform for fans in 2020, and what the current tour means to them. It was heartwarming and yet also heartbreaking to hear as each member spoke about how they felt like they let the fans down by not being able to see them in 2020 but that the online concerts and planning for their return to the stage helped them through it.
With those thoughts ringing throughout the crowd, ATEEZ returned to perform “Eternal Sunshine,” “Dancing Like Butterfly Wings,” “Star 1117,” and “Turbulence.” When I think of encores, I remember past concerts I’ve been to and how those groups performed their biggest hits. It was refreshing to have an entire encore where it was just songs of comfort from ATEEZ to ATINY. Many people say that you shouldn’t rely on a group to help get you through life, but seeing Hongjoong cry on stage at the end of “Star 1117” and how Seonghwa and Jongho were both misty-eyed as well, I don’t think that’s how life should be, and I think ATEEZ would agree with me.
Between “Star 1117” and “Turbulence,” ATEEZ gave their ending ments, with many of the members speaking in Korean as a translator helped to convey their heartfelt messages to the crowd. Days later, San’s message (delivered completely in English) is the one that sticks with me the most. Call it bias (as he is my ult), but there's nothing more comforting than knowing that the group you’ve listened to since 2018 and ulted since 2019 wants you to follow them. “ATEEZ paved the way,” San said, meaning ATEEZ paved the way for ATINY, and that when times are tough, to rely on them. We will always have ATEEZ by our sides just like ATEEZ will always have ATINY by their sides, and though San is the member who said it the loudest, it was a feeling that all eight members conveyed throughout the nearly three-hour concert.