xikers’s Unforgettable Night in London

It’s not often that musicians can embark on world tours less than one year after their debut, but for K-Pop’s “monster rookie” group xikers this is an achievement they can proudly claim. The 10-member boy group debuted in March 2023, under KQ Entertainment, and quickly received international attention for their upbeat and energetic tracks. With the absence of Junghoon (who is recovering from an injury), xikers’s international fame led to them a performance in London, England at the famous OVO Wembley Arena as part of the Korea on Stage line-up (eight months post-debut) and they have since taken their music stateside through their first-ever world tour, TRICKY HOUSE FIRST ENCOUNTERS. This tour has now made its way to Europe, with xikers having returned to UK soil to open the European stretch of the tour, just last month.

On January 28, members Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Junsik, Hyunwoo, Hunter, Seeun, Yujun, and Yechan took to the stage of London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire venue to perform in front of their UK-based roady (xikers’s fandom), showcasing more of their craft and charm that their appearance at Korea On Stage gave a taste of back in November.  

From the outset, xikers were in high spirits, delivering exceptionally energetic performances with impressive dance choreography, synchronization, and pleasant vocal tones that continued to be on display throughout the night. A powerfully cinematic atmosphere was also presented through an intro screening of “The TRICKY’s Secret,” before images of the members and a group photo appeared, welcoming the members to the stage in front of an exciting crowd.

xikers opened the show with electrifying performances of “TRICKY HOUSE,” “Doorbell Ringing,” and “Oh My Gosh,” tracks from their first EP HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing, before dipping into their second EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY: HOW TO PLAY, to blow fans away with the leading raps of “Koong.” This was followed by another visit to HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing, as xikers performed their track “XIKEY,” fitting for the British music scene and audience with its heavily Grime-inspired sound. 

With limited discography due to only having debuted last year, xikers broke away from their catalogue to put on an exciting dance spectacle that saw the members partake in a K-Pop dance medley as well as dance performances of “Iffy” by Chris Brown and The Weeknd’s “Die For You.” Junmin and Hunter returned to the stage slightly shy after showing a different side to themselves following their “Die For You” dance cover which the crowd enjoyed with no doubt!

For fans in the crowd both new and old, xikers made sure everyone was going to have fun with the tracks. After separating into separate colored groups, the members all partook in a K-Pop dance medley consisting of iconic tracks. The members started off with BTS’s 2020 hit “Dynamite,” before progressing on to NCT 127’s intensely choreographed “Cherry Bomb.” They also performed SEVENTEEN’s “Super” before finishing off the boy group segment with “BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)” by their KQ Entertainment seniors ATEEZ. xikers then swiftly moved into a girl group medley, dancing to BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love,” LE SSERAFIM’s “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard's Wife,” NewJeans’s “Hype Boy,” and (G)-IDLE’s “Queencard.” This section of the show exemplified xikers’s impeccable dance skills as well as their great interaction skills with each other and their fans.

The second half of the concert saw more of their second EP HOUSE OF TRICKY: HOW TO PLAY with “Skater,” before the whole venue erupted for “DO or DIE,” with the members asking roadys for help with singing the chorus. The crowd made sure to not let up for the boys’ more mellow tracks “Sunny Side” and “HOMEBOY,” with the members making sure to interact with their fans throughout the songs.

This is only xikers’s second time in London, so they took it upon themselves to ask for food and travel recommendations (Sumin does indeed love the classic fish and chips combination!). xikers’s relationship with their fans could be felt throughout the show but especially during their ending speeches. Hunter gave a shoutout to the fans who had queued from 6 p.m. the day before, and those who joined the queue later on in the evening, expressing his and the members’ appreciation, saying he “hoped the show was worth the wait.” The members took time to say thank you to each venue tier, before reading posters, and having a member shout, “What’s the square root of 64?”—and yes, we all did shout “ATE!”

Out of the whole setlist, “ROCKSTAR” made a lasting impression on not only us the crowd, but the members themselves. Despite being the last song on the setlist, roadys made sure that xikers would not forget the energy that they brought throughout the night. 

From start to finish, xikers felt like they had something to prove to the crowd of fans in London. Not only did the members fill the stage with amazing performances, but their fans made sure to fill the venue out with all their energy and support. The relationship between the two is undeniable and only time will tell when the members return to the city in the future, selling out larger venues and meeting more excited faces. It was a great show and we at The Kraze can't wait to see them again. 

Make sure you catch xikers next time they’re in town!

EventsNicole N. & Courtney Willisxikers, Boy GroupsComment