SEVENTEEN Wraps Up Striking Tour with Two-Day Stop in Washington, D.C
Photos: HYBE
After three long years, SEVENTEEN returned to Washington, D.C. during their tour SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN U.S.—a striking tour that made its way to Tacoma, Los Angeles, Austin, Sunrise, and Washington, D.C.
Since so many D.C Carats missed SEVENTEEN, the excitement could be felt throughout the entire arena. Before the show began, music videos were playing on the screen. With each video that came on, everyone was singing along and cheering extra loud for the members who couldn’t attend this tour due to their mandatory military service. With everyone’s anticipation at an all-time high, the moment the lights dimmed, the entire arena was screaming at the top of their lungs. The show started with a VCR showcasing the futuristic theme of the tour. The members could be seen strutting down a white walkway, giving their best model walk. Once the VCR ended, the entire arena was on its feet, ready for the boys to come out.
Walking out to their new hit B-side “Bad Influence (Prod. by Pharrell Williams),” the SEVENTEEN members rocked a mixture of black fits that fit the personality of each member. The remixed version of the track had this hard-hitting EDM beat that had everyone dancing in their sections. Once the members made their way to the stage, the backup dancers, clad in chrome silver outfits, performed a brief number while the members ascended to the elevated stage. While the audience cheered, the members started their next track, a new B-side from their recent album, “HBD,” an upbeat rock track with a bass-induced danceable beat. This performance had many factors that made it a very memorable opener. There were stunning visuals that happened during this performance: pyrotechnics and confetti had the audience amazed. The striking track had the entire arena excited, and it definitely prepared you for their next track, “Thunder.” This performance was one that many people had been anticipating. “Thunder” was a fun performance with fireworks, fast-paced choreography, and exciting energy. Hearing the audience sing along with the members as they spelled “Thunder” was a surreal moment for many.
After a stellar first three performances, we then had our first ment of the night. The first ment is always a memorable moment in concerts. It's the moment when we can all catch our breath and get to hear the first hello from our favorite people. The members introduced themselves during this first ment. They talked about how they missed D.C and changed our names from D.C CARATs to Diamond CARATs. One thing about SEVENTEEN is that they do a great job of hyping up the crowd and making us feel as though we are included. One way they achieved this is by showing us the created handshake for the tour. In this case, it was a cute handshake that consisted of two hand claps and a pinky promise to one another. After we got the handshake down, it was time for the next section of tracks.
Next thing you knew, we were all back on our feet and screaming along to their next track, “Domino.” Experiencing “Domino” was a fun moment that had all of us cheering at the top of our lungs. As the members moved downstage, there were little moments that made this such a thrilling experience. The spotlighted dance breaks and cheerful interactive moments among the members made this a joyful performance. After this performance, a few of the members smoothly left the stage, leaving behind members Joshua, Jun, The8, and Vernon so they could perform another hit B-side, “Network Love.” A quirky track with an electro beat, the four members did a fantastic job, and the way they utilized the backup dancers to emphasize certain moves all the way to the end had the audience captivated by every movement.
The second VCR was like a movie. We got such a cinematic video featuring each member in a different setting. The members were doing amazing with their acting. With each scene, it made you feel like you were watching an Oscar-worthy drama. While watching the VCR, each member got their focused moments, and one member came in at the end, giving us a hint into what our next performance could have been.
We then got our first solo of the night, performed by member Dino, and his song is called “Trigger.” Rocking a black suit, his outfit was a perfect match to the glowing red and yellow lightsticks, creating this sensual aura that matched the theme of the song. After Dino’s solo, we then had a seamless transition between the two members, and our following soloist, Jun, beautifully graced the stage with his track “Gemini.” Wearing a flowy, purple outfit, the brightness was a contrast to the cream-colored outfits worn by the backup dancers. Matching the vibe of his outfit, “Gemini” is a lively song, and the joy you feel from the track was palpable throughout the arena as he sang. With the confetti burst at the end of the song, it was an added touch that had everyone smiling from ear to ear. Changing the mood from Jun’s bright track, we then heard Vernon’s pop-punk track “Shining Star.” Rocking a green shirt, black jeans, Converse, and an electric guitar, Vernon was the picture-perfect pop-punk star. The entire arena had its lightsticks in the air as Vernon rocked out on his guitar. Calling D.C his shining stars, Vernon ended his performance on a high note as CARATs cheered him on.
Next, we got their energetic B-side “SOS (Prod. Marshmello).” Like an anthem to the entire arena, everyone was singing along with the members, screaming every word at the top of their lungs. Hearing the entire arena sing along to the song made this an extra special moment for everyone involved. They then performed their powerful track “FML,” a moving piece that had CARATs singing the track with all their might. Like taking a complete 180, the boys went straight into their next track, “LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled).” An upbeat, fun, and thrilling performance, “LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled),” had everyone energetically dancing along to the beat and singing along with the members.
During ment number two, the members talked about the many costumes they had seen that day. Since the second show was held the day before Halloween, many CARATs came in a variety of costumes that ranged from characters like the Nun from The Conjuring movies to older SEVENTEEN concepts like their Transformers-inspired 2017 ISAC performance. The members were thrilled to see the many different costumes throughout the crowd, and it was a moment that had everyone interacting with the members and truly enjoying the surreal experience.
The next song continued the happy mood. SEVENTEEN then performed their first English track “Darl+ing.” You can tell this is a track that CARATs love and adore. Watching the crowd sing along with the members created an out-of-body experience, almost as if this were a dream that had finally come true.
VCR three was an animated video that introduced us to the next soloist. Our next soloist was member Joshua, who performed his bright and lighthearted track “Fortunate change.” Coming in while sitting on a bench, a love story was born. Joshua’s bright vocals created this beautiful aura around the song. Joshua’s colorful confetti covered the entire audience, ending his stunning performance with bright colors. Next was a member whose smile brings a smile to all of our faces. Member Dokyeom graced the stage with his equally happy-go-lucky and true to its title song “Happy Virus.” Wearing a blue button-up shirt, blue sweater, yellow tie, and jeans, his bright outfit perfectly matched the vibe of the track. DK maintained the happy vibes from start to finish, culminating in a surprise of yellow confetti at the end. Next was a beautiful ballad from member Seungkwan. Played on a gorgeous white piano, Seungkwan’s soulful vocals moved the audience to a silence that showed our awe. As the crowd chanted “Boo Seungkwan,” you, as a viewer, were brought to tears over this powerful moment.
VCR number four introduced our next soloist, The8. His electrifying track “Skyfall” is a fast-paced dance track that showcased The8's incredible dancing skills and vocals. “Skyfall” is such a striking track that had the audience feeling as if they were at a rave. Next was member Mingyu’s house/club track “Shake it off.” In an all-black outfit, Mingyu was giving a model a run-through of his entire performance. The track has a danceable beat and its synth sound had the whole audience either striking their best pose or pulling out their best moves. Our next soloist was member and leader S.Coups, with his solo “Jungle.” With such a bass-induced beat, you could feel the bass in your chest. S. Coups was full of energy throughout his performance; it had you captivated from the moment it began. The group then gathered together and performed their hit track “HOT.” A well-known and loved song by fans, “HOT” had the entire arena screaming along to the lyrics. The added a rock twist, the blaring drums, and the electric guitars added a special flair to the already exciting track. Next was a track that many of us hoped to see live one day, and we did. “HIGHLIGHT” is a commanding track that features memorable, strong vocals and a dance break that showcases the singing skill of SEVENTEEN. Speaking of dancing, after “HIGHLIGHT,” we then got their high-energy, eye-catching, thrilling track “HIT.” This performance truly showed why SEVENTEEN is known as the “kings of synchronization.” Each movement was hard-hitting and had the audience loudly cheering.
Ment number three was a CARAT’s dream come true. The boys performed tracks that were not on the setlist and included songs that many thought they’d never hear live. This caused the audience to jump out of their seats and bring out their best vocals to sing along with the members. Songs like “Kidult,” “Campfire,” “Circles,” “Monster,” and “Don Quixote” were sung, bringing a smile to all our faces.
Next was their track “Rock with you.” A merry track that will always have CARATs ready to sing along. The cheerful beat had everyone moving their Caratbongs along with the rhythm, creating this sea of colorful lights. Once the boys left the stage, we were then treated to a DJ set by the one and only Bongbongee (SEVENTEEN’s mascot created by Mingyu). Getting a set full of hits like “LALALI,” “CHEERS,” subunit HxW fun track “STUPID IDIOT,” and BSS's newest hit “CBZ (Prime time),” for example, as the camera panned to the audience members, everybody was on their feet, showing us their best dance moves.
The next round of tracks was like witnessing a hidden treasure being revealed for the first time in a long time. Older tracks like “A-TEEN,” “9-TEEN (from “a-Teen2, Pt.2)” and “20” were big throwback moments that you could tell not only shocked fans, but also, with the numerical order they were in, made it a joyous moment. Watching members S.Coups and Mingyu interact with fans also added an extra level of jolliness to that moment. It was a period of time that will be engraved in every CARAT’s mind.
After such a beautiful final ment, everybody had dried their tears and went right back to partying with the members. We got to hear songs like “Eyes on you,” and “CALL CALL CALL!” which brought the energy back up to that party mode we were in. We then got tracks like “Water,” as the members sprayed water onto the audience. Tracks like “Swimming Fool” made a grand appearance, causing everyone to jump in pure happiness. This was a period in the concert that showed just how much fun we can have with the members. A fierce dance battle between Dino and three CARATs had everyone laughing so hard and cheering on each team. We ended the concert on a high note with tracks “Headliner” (which heartwarmingly still included the enlisted members’ vocals in the backtrack), “Our dawn is hotter than day,” BSS’s “Fighting (feat. Lee Youngji),” a crowd sing-along to“SUPER,” and it wouldn’t be a SEVENTEEN concert without the never-ending “VERY NICE.”
SEVENTEEN are great performers who were born for the stage. They are so talented, and even as an audience member, you feel as though you are a part of the crew just from the way they interact with CARATs. It’s an unforgettable show that I recommend everyone see at least once.
