Emotions Run High as Jackson Wang Returns to Barclays with MAGICMAN 2
Photos by Jean Libert
If there’s anything we’ve learned from Jackson Wang over the years, it’s that he doesn’t do things half way. Since donning his solo “TEAM WANG” hat from 2017 onwards, he’s been a formidable force releasing music and showing artistry on a scale far different from the GOT7 material. Whether it's working with the 88Rising team, Kinjaz, or showing up at Head In The Clouds, Coachella, or on his solo tours, he’s been selling out venues with a candor that has endeared him to fans. MAGIC MAN appeared with his second studio album in 2022, and in 2025 he returned with MAGICMAN 2, and this tour that bears its name. This album is more introspective and the Brooklyn stop of the tour on April 10 at Barclays proved to be just as personal a journey. The night was a visual, auditory, physical and emotional feast. Regardless of level of fandom, one thing that cannot be argued is that Jackson puts on a damn good show.
From the start, the visuals were shattering. Smoke and dancers filled the stage in a ritualistic fashion. On a harness in darkness against a point of light, Jackson levitated lying before flipping around to an active descent into a sea of figures in darkness below. Though the lyrics of the song stated, “I need you to save me,” the descent into darkness and the arms below felt inevitable.
The mood shifted to pulsating red with the dark and sensual “Access” as Jackson walked back on stage from a framed space in the back. The stage alternated between vertical shots of smoke and fire heated up the heavy beat of the song while the dancers, similarly attired, seemed to echo him and his “MAGICMAN” persona to the point of almost feeding off of him at the end of the set.
After a short break, Jackson’s “Hate to Love” slowed the pace while demonstrating clear vocals. Smoke became heavy as the stage went vivid blue, a visual contrast from the set prior. The mellow melody made the heartbreaking lyrics more cruel as the dancers seemed a visual echo to his contrasting emotions of love and hate. The break in the song led into a battle, which we assume to be a battle within himself. He grabbed the harness like a lifeline to escape, only to be pulled down back into the darkness where he’s ripped apart bearing only a mesh shirt.
Bringing a fan on stage for a lap dance was done in the last MAGIC MAN tour, yet this time felt different. Jackson managed to find the perfect fan for the unreleased “Shadows on the Wall.” His dancers continued the echo of his psyche. Screams ensued as he acted out every fan's fantasy with body rolls and embraces before bringing on more fans to experience “Contact,” and then “Closer,” both also unreleased tracks.
After a VCR, the tone changed completely from the sensual to the emotional. Music played the ethereal track to “Not for Me.” In a white jacket mimicking a straightjacket, dancers also in white floated up and down echoing his words from his dreamlike state, “every night I fly away.” The transition to “Blue” was seamless, continuing the dreamlike trance and showcased the strength of his vocals. Jackson appeared tormented by his MAGICMAN persona and the opening lyrics, “I know it all but I don't know me” from “Everything” felt torn from his soul. As spotlights emerged from behind him, the song emitted an unfathomable loneliness which ran through the unreleased “Long Gone.”
Asking everyone to put on their flashlights, the mood and venue brightened like stars for “Dopamine.” The lights themselves felt like the dopamine needed to fuel the soul.
Jackson’s dancers took the stage for this break, demonstrating their prowess until Jackson emerged amongst them for “BUCK (feat. Diljit Dosanjh).” Identically dressed in black sweats with his iconic red gloves, the hip hop swag emerged in full form. With the words, “say you wanna dance,” it was clear it was time to dance. Though the pace went sensual for “Let Loose,” the bass continued to hit hard, encouraging everyone to keep moving. Moves only hit harder with “TITANIC (feat. Rich Brian).” With arms pumping, the house was on fire, but not enough for Jackson. He needed everyone on their feet and demanded nothing less stating:
“Listen, I understand New York. I understand the city is busy. But when you guys come here tonight, you better stand the f*ck up. You better treat yourself better. Stand up and have some fun. Life is already f*cking crazy. Treat yourself better man!”
Before you knew it the whole venue had arms pumping, screaming, “Just gotta be a dick sometimes,” as “GBAD” filled the air along with confetti and the last remnants of the vocal chords. With the house pumping there wasn’t a still figure left in the room. As the beat toned down, it was time for final words. Keeping it simple was Jackson’s style and with these words, the main portion of the show concluded.
“Thank you so much. I’m so blessed, so blessed to be able to perform in front of you guys and entertain you. All I was saying was, listen, the world is really crazy now. We don’t know what is happening tomorrow, right? But one thing we know, are we gonna have fun tonight. And if we’re still alive tomorrow, are we gonna have fun tomorrow? That’s it, the moment. That’s all I want - to entertain you.”
The last VCR was less encore break and more a continuation of the show. Telling the story of his youth and family, Jackson spoke via the video sharing his roots with those in the room who supported him. Hearing his mom’s voice with “Dear:” it was a moving message to remind everyone to cherish those who have supported you and reflected Jackson’s time taken to firm those connections with those he held dear. Closing with clips from GOT7 which had the room screaming and more childhood images, Jackson returned with “Sophie Ricky,” a song dedicated to his parents who reflect the names in the title. The song and imagery seemed to bring tears to his eyes, moving everyone equally. A show that brought despair, heat, fire and pulse, now brought love and further indescribable emotions.
The transition from heavy emotions to let’s have a great time wasn’t easy, but Jackson carried it off, forcing everyone else to do the same. Determined to make the venue into one loud house party, he spent time focusing on every section of the venue, having him and his team find people to join him onstage and to dance. Pulling people from the stairs, and taking in anyone who caught his eye, the focus was let’s all let loose and just have a good time. The encore was long, but in his IDGAF style, he was happy to spend as much time with his fans as he could with a remix of “Access” and “GBAD.” The night was long, the emotions ran high, but the MAGICMAN did his thing. He did more that just entertain, he took everyone on his journey, and returned them back, exhausted, spent, but with a smile knowing that every dollar spent on that ticket was absolutely f*cking worth it.