Krazy in LA Surpasses Expectations with Dynamic Lineup
Lines winded before doors opened, and excited murmurs mingled with the ocean breeze. It felt almost surreal––Krazy in LA had finally arrived.
Amidst unforeseen circumstances that caused an unidentified delay and lineup changes, the Krazy Super Concert in Los Angeles kicked off on Saturday, September 14 at the Long Beach Arena. From high-energy sets to soothing melodies, the Krazy Super Concert promised a harmonious blend of music that resonated long after the weekend.
Surrounding both fans eagerly waiting to enter the GA floor and last-minute ticket buyers hustling at the box office, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Freebie giveaways for the attending artists circulated amongst fans, adding an extra layer of camaraderie and joy.
Though the venue was not massive, its scale felt perfect to captivate the crowd. The round structure invited the audience to settle in their seats while VIP fans claimed their spots close to the stage, separated by a low barricade. The last-minute hustle to capture selfies or film dance covers created a lively pre-show vibe as fans nervously and excitedly waited for the show to begin.
As the lights finally dimmed, Alaina Castillo took the stage, casting an ethereal spell over the crowd with her unreleased track, “Stars,” a haunting melody set to drop this October. Her short yet memorable set, which included the groove-heavy “Pocket Locket,” left the crowd entranced. She even gave a nod to NewJeans’ Hanni, creating a connection between genres and generations.
ZEROBASEONE burst onto the stage next, opening with the energizing "GOOD SO BAD," making its debut performance in the U.S. since their last appearance at KCON LA. Their bright and upbeat "New Kids on the Block" sent waves of infectious energy through the crowd. A playful dance game, led by host Kim Jongkook, showcased the group’s chemistry, with fans cheering for Team Gunwook and Team Yujin as they battled it out on stage. The group wrapped up with the emotionally charged “KILL THE ROMEO” and "In Bloom," showing off their dynamic concepts.
When Sunmi graced the stage, she opened with the iconic "24 Hours," luring the audience in with her seductive vocals. Sunmi’s stage presence was a masterclass in fan interaction, drawing everyone into her world with tracks like "Heartburn" and "pporappippam." The night hit a high when the intro to "Gashina" played, and fans erupted into cheers, giving the soloist her most electrifying moment of the night.
During intermission, the Krazy Dance Party kept the energy high. To the beat of the random K-pop hits from RIIZE’s “Boom Boom Bass” to VIVIZ’s “MANIAC,” the screen featured fans who danced along to the music, crafting camaraderie among fans through supportive cheers.
Then came AKMU, blending their signature harmonies with a full live band, opening with the impactful "Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes." Their nostalgic performance of "DINOSAUR" was a highlight as they transitioned effortlessly from delicate ballads like "How Can I Love the Heartbreak" to feel-good tracks such as "200%" and "Love Lee," radiating their sibling chemistry.
Former EXO member and current soloist Lay Zhang dazzled the crowd with his eclectic setlist, from the rhythmic intensity of "Sheep" to the punchy beats of "Step," reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s classic moves. The biggest surprise of the night came when Lay invited special guest Lauv to perform “Run Back To You” and Lauv took the stage with his hit “i’m so tired…” Lay’s cultural pride shone through as he reflected on the three influences—Chinese, Korean, and American—that shaped his artistry, culminating in the powerful anthem "A Legend.
Just before the final act, veteran singer Kim Jongkook delivered a performance of his beloved ballad "One Man," a sweet surprise that felt like a personal reward for fans who had been on the ride all evening.
The night reached a crescendo with aespa, who opened with their debut track "Black Mamba" and showcased their newest hit "Supernova." The balance game they played with the crowd, led by Kim Jongkook, allowed for light-hearted moments with Giselle's tongue twisters stealing the show. Songs like "Hold On Tight" and "Armageddon" captivated with their futuristic, genre-blending sound, before the ultimate energy surge with "Next Level" closed out the first night in style.
Sunday, September 15, the final night of Krazy Super Concert, started with high-octane performances. The Top 8 Winners of the Krazy Dance Contest lit up the stage, setting the tone with dynamic covers of “Good So Bad,” “Supernova,” and “Black Mamba.”
Agnez Mo made a bold entrance, backed by a DJ and two dynamic dancers. Performing tracks like “Get Loose” and a remix of her track “Party in Bali,” featuring Jay Park, her powerful, genre-blending sound set the perfect mood for what was to come.
DK from iKON took fans on an emotional rollercoaster, seamlessly transitioning from the smooth R&B of "LTNS" to the groovy beats of "Groovin." His undeniable stage charisma shone through as he performed iKON classics like "Tantara" and "RHYTHM TA." A charades game with Kim Jongkook highlighted DK’s fun-loving personality, adding a light-hearted break between his high-energy performances.
When ZEROBASEONE returned, they doubled down on the fun with a K-Pop guessing game that had the crowd roaring with joy at their undeniable chemistry. Excitement peaked when Matthew and Ricky teased a possible return to Los Angeles, thrilling the audience before the group wrapped up with their debut single "In Bloom" which provided a perfect bookend to their two-day run.
As the energy shifted, emcee Kim Jongkook brought a wave of nostalgia with his heartfelt performance of "One Man" once again, calming the crowd. To lift the mood again, he surprised fans with "Loveable," a 2005 hit that has recently gone viral as a TikTok challenge, bringing a fresh burst of joy to the atmosphere.
Bambam was next, captivating fans with a blend of a heartfelt expression of a grateful farewell in “Thank You Come Again,” powerful waacking choreo in “Last Parade,” and the Latin-infused beats of “Mi Último Deseo.” His playful energy in the balance game with Kim Jongkook showed off his vibrant personality, and the following performances of the upbeat, rejuvenating energy of solo hit “Ribbon” and GOT7’s fan-favorite "Hard Carry" gave fans plenty to cheer for.
aespa then commanded the stage once again, opening with the electrifying intro to "Black Mamba," and fans joined in chanting the iconic "Supernova." The group, alongside Kim Jongkook, participated in a balance game with new prompts, revealing more of their unique personalities. Keeping the crowd mesmerized, aespa delivered dynamic performances of “For Ya Life” and “Armageddon,” finally closing out their set with the fan-favorite "Next Level."
The night reached an emotional high when CL dominated the stage. The crowd went wild for her bold, fiery track “Spicy,” dancing along to the anthemic “MTBD.” CL delivered empowering messages, coupled with flawless choreography and a genre-bending sound that crowned her title as the charismatic diva. From the gritty roll of "The Baddest Female" to the vulnerable melodies of “5 Star,” she left everything on the stage, closing the night with the booming beats of “Hello Bitches” that had everyone on their feet.
As fans spilled out into the night, the air was thick with a buzz of contentment that marked Krazy Super Concert as a festival to be remembered for its artistry, energy, and undeniable connection between performers and fans. Despite challenges that setback the festival, Krazy Super Concert in Los Angeles exceeded personal expectations, proving to be better than anticipated. Frankly, the show did not transition very seamlessly with last-minute announcements and reorganized perks for fans, but the second day proved to somewhat jump back up from the downfalls of venue-related logistical issues.
The festival was a night to remember for all the people present to indulge in the energy of the artists brought to Long Beach with the help of numerous staff and, of course, fans’ unconditional love and support.
A huge thank you to Krazy Super Concert for having The Kraze present on both festival days!