TWICE Brings <THIS IS FOR> World Tour to North America Through a One-in-a-Million Experience in Vancouver
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick
TWICE’s decision to film their 2017 music video for “Likey” in Vancouver, B.C. left many Western Canadians yearning for a proper concert in the city. The group fulfilled that years-long dream when they brought their <THIS IS FOR> world tour to North America on January 9. 19,000 fans passionately headed to Rogers Arena, swarming the venue’s North Plaza to shop for merchandise, participate in a random play dance session, and snap selfies with banners featuring the members’ THIS IS FOR concept photos before the venue doors opened at 6:30 p.m. Seeing all the fans gather touched my emotions on a personal level. My interest in TWICE happened during my early exploration of K-Pop in 2017, when they helped me dive into the world of girl groups. They played a crucial part towards my ability to report on K-Pop nine years later.
Entering the arena quickly showed the concert’s greatest appeal, the 360-degree stage. With pillars hoisting up large monitors displaying images from all angles, it drew in curiosity for what the night had in store. The show started at 8:05 p.m. with the reveal of a chic video segment. As the crowd’s cheers built in anticipation, the large LED screens rose to reveal TWICE dressed in white outfits with navy accents. They quickly launched into the first performances of “THIS IS FOR,” “STRATEGY,” and “MAKE ME GO,” “SET ME FREE,” and “I CAN’T STOP ME.” The capabilities of the 360-degree stage during these performances would go on to define what made the show memorable.
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Hanbin Lee
The group partnered with Canadian multimedia studio Moment Factory, who have worked with artists such as Madonna, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo, to pull off similar multimedia concert experiences. This design allowed the concert to spread enjoyment at every angle, regardless of where fans sat. One of the few minor downsides came from the proximity of the standing pits and the supporting columns around the screens. Anyone too close to the stage needed to crank their heads up to view VCR elements, and the columns obstructed the views of some seated fans. Overall though, TWICE made great use of space and tried their best to engage with everyone.
When the group took a breather, they launched into brief introductions. Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu greeted the crowd with bright smiles on their faces. They wished ONCE a happy new year, and Sana noted that this concert marked their first show of 2026. Before heading into their next performance, they requested a favor from the audience: anytime TWICE said “This is for ONCE,” the fans should respond with “This is for TWICE!” They followed up with the recent B-side “OPTIONS” and the beloved “MOONLIGHT SUNRISE” to close off the concert’s first section.
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick
The arena then went dark, and dancers appeared to lead the audience into the next portion of the show. TWICE brought along 20 dancers and a live band to spruce up the show, and this endeavor paid off handsomely. Keyboardist Hong Ttochi (Hong Sojin), bassist Choi Insung, drummer Jang Wonyoung and guitarist Kim Dongmin’s rearrangements of TWICE’s discography added extra flair. Paired with the 360-degree stage, TWICE utilized Rogers Arena brilliantly in a way previously never seen at local K-Pop shows. TWICE is only the third K-Pop artist to perform here in the arena’s history after SEVENTEEN in 2022 and SuperM in 2020.
With the giant screens displaying a galaxy theme, TWICE appeared in brown outfits to perform “MARS.” Designer Kim Shui made these layered “western and prairie looks,” newly-debuted for this show, fashionable and functional. The members rose on platforms, bringing them high in the air surrounded by the glow of Candybongs (the group’s lightsticks) that looked like stars twinkling in space. They quickly dispersed across the extended stage and waved to fans at every corner of the arena.
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick
TWICE then transitioned into “I GOT YOU” and “THE FEELS,” two English tracks that kept the audience pumped. Jihyo in particular stood out with her powerful singing that left me in awe. Throughout the concert, Jihyo kept an endless amount of energy that never seemed to stop: when not singing, she jumped up and down to hype up the crowd.
The audience interactions continued into the concert’s second ment, where TWICE ensured that everyone experienced the time of their lives. Sana jokingly threatened to point them out if not. The group also mentioned how Vancouverites showed up ready in their TWICE-themed outfits, including red get-ups inspired from “THIS IS FOR.”
TWICE finished a barrage of songs—“GONE,” “CRY FOR ME,” “HELL IN HEAVEN,” and “RIGHT HAND GIRL”—before letting the live band take over in an interlude. The fire imagery displayed on the LED screens mirrored the crowd’s warm reception to the band. Snippets of the members’ solo songs, mainly from their TEN: The Story Goes On album, followed.
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick
From Tzuyu’s “DIVE IN” to Momo’s “MOVE LIKE THAT,” each solo performance captured attention. Tzuyu kicked off the solo section with the smooth “DIVE IN,” Mina delivered a graceful performance befitting of her “Black Swan” nickname through “STONE COLD,” Nayeon shined like a star in the playful “MEEEEEE,” Jeongyeon wrangled in attention with her dazzling pink cowboy get-up in “FIX A DRINK,” and Dahyun charmed with the “Für Elise”-sampled “CHESS.” The members taking up different parts of the stage kept the mood dynamic.
An added treat came in the form of Chaeyoung performing “SHOOT (Firecracker)” off her debut EP from September, LIL FANTASY vol.1. Considering she just ended a months-long medical-related hiatus, this came as a relief for many fans. Jihyo then took over with the R&B and hip-hop track “ATM,” Sana created a buzz with “DECAFFEINATED,” and Momo proved her main dancer position through “MOVE LIKE THAT.”
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Hanbin Lee
Photos: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick
The biggest switch up came with Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung’s rendition of “TAKEDOWN” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Just like how the film snuck up as an unexpected smash hit, this addition caught the audience off guard. This sub-unit performance allowed TWICE to transition back into group songs with “FANCY,” “What is Love?,” “YES or YES,” and “Dance The Night Away.” Mina changed her iconic “YES or YES” introduction to include Vancouver, and that type of fanservice works perfectly.
Time flew by quickly as the show neared its end. TWICE performed “ONE SPARK” and ONCE soon took the lead as performers. In order to rejuvenate TWICE’s energy, they asked to see the “most hyped ONCE” by spotlighting fans on the big screens. Lucky ONCE danced to mostly older TWICE songs not included in the setlist like “CHEER UP” and “SIGNAL.” It felt nostalgic to see those songs referenced.
TWICE reemerged wearing concert-branded T-shirts and tank tops as they settled into the encore. The appearance of “SCIENTIST,” a song new to the tour’s setlist, surprised ONCE around me. Though many online voiced their concerns over removing “Feel Special,” the song that closed out the show felt obvious: “Likey,” the track that led TWICE to Vancouver over eight years ago, created a full-circle moment.
TWICE’s first-ever concert in Vancouver felt special in ways difficult to articulate. That opening night set an unforgettable precedent for the North American leg. For locals, the importance felt heightened as they no longer needed to travel to cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, or Toronto to see TWICE. Nothing compares to seeing an artist in the city you call home.
By 10:23 p.m., fans walked out of a confetti-filled venue with new memories. I left with few regrets, wishing I could attend the second concert to experience everything all over again. The Kraze extends their gratitude towards JYP Entertainment and Live Nation Canada for this opportunity to review the show.
Photo: JYP Entertainment & photographer Jeff Vinnick