MCND Brings ODD-VENTURE to North America
Photos by Jean Libert
After completing their European tour, MCND kicked off the North American part of their ODD-VENTURE tour on February 9 in New York City. Members Castle J, BIC, Minjae, Huijun, and Win confidently took to the stage and gave it their all for their fandom GEMS.
The atmosphere in the venue was filled with excitement as GEMs gathered together. It's been two years since MCND's last New York show. The DJ played “ICE AGE” to get fans hyped up for the electrifying show yet to come. Once the lights went out and the intro VCR played, GEMs only got louder and more than ready to cheer on their favs.
MCND came out and started strong with “ODD VENTURE” and “Cruise” from their latest album. Their energy and talent were undeniable by their stable vocals, synchronization, and powerful stage presence. The combination of MCND and GEMs’ passion was fierce enough to make the venue feel as if it was shaking.
During their group introduction, MCND’s WIN asked New York GEMs for any food recommendations. Fans did not hold back and shouted many iconic spots and dishes for the group to try in the city before settling on classic New York City pizza. The members then gave the fans Korean food recommendations from bibimbap to Korean fried chicken. The group was pleasantly surprised by GEMs’ love and knowledge of Korean cuisine, with leader Castle J asking the crowd if they were Korean.
MCND transitions smoothly from high-energy hip-hop and pop songs like “Crush” and “Popstar” to a more mellow track, “Stereotypes,” and then raises the crowd energy with “Loosen Up.” While talking about their new album, BIC confesses that he gets nervous before performing “Loosen Up” but ultimately loosens up throughout the song. The group switched tones and created a more raw and soulful vibe with “Treasure” and “Back to You,” which Castle J explained was written with GEMs in mind. Fans got emotional feeling the love and adoration MCND has for them through their beautiful vocals.
During the mid-set break, another VCR was played where we got to see cute and funny behind-the-scenes moments of the group preparing for this tour, dance practices, and a convenience store run where each member had to rank each other's ramen combos, making the crowd start to crave ramen.
The five-member group came back on stage with full energy and delivered an outstanding performance. They began with their songs "BLOW," "PLAYER," and "nanana." GEMs in the audience cheered and encouraged the performers with their chants and barks, matching the intense energy of MCND. During the song "PLAYER," some members removed their ear monitors to immerse themselves in the moment fully and have pure fun on stage. For the rest of the set, they demonstrated their impressive stamina with high-energy songs “Spring,” “Juice,” “H.B.C,” and “Play Pungak.”
The last VCR consists of interviews with each member of the group, reflecting on their past stage performances and tours. They express gratitude for the positive feedback they have received from fans. During these interviews, the band members become vulnerable and talk about their drive and mindset throughout their careers.
MCND gracefully performed their songs "LOUDER," "Run," and "W.A.T.1 (English version)," showcasing their amazing vocal skills and coordination. Their iridescent white tops reflected in the light, making their performance more ethereal. During their water break, the group took the time to thank the New York fans for coming to the show and showing their love. They expressed their excitement for the rest of the tour in North America. The group photo with the New York State Flag created a light-hearted moment among the crowd. MCND finished their set with “#MOOD" and "Not Over" and then came back out for an encore, performing their debut song "ICE AGE." In their goodbyes, they referred to Jay Z and Alicia Keys' song "Empire State of Mind" and were pleasantly surprised when the crowd sang the hook to the song. It was an amazing end to the show.
