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The atmosphere was electric at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 11 and 12 when K-pop global megastars, Blackpink, opened the United States leg of their 2023 Born Pink Encore Tour.
As a massive fan of Blackpink, I always try to make it to a show whenever they are performing nearby. Thankfully, this time around, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend both shows, one as a first-time reviewer. Let me tell you, they put on a concert like no other!
Light sticks, pink ones, of course, covered the entire stadium as the four members of Blackpink – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa – opened their shows with dancers, lights, and a thrilling introduction.
The first song, “Pink Venom,” showcased the firepower that they are very well known for. This opening song was the same as their infamous Coachella performance in April. The members then introduced themselves to the audience before singing a few more songs. Toward the middle of the concert, each member took the stage and did their solo songs.
Jennie started the solos with her unreleased single, “You & Me,” and then jumped right into her next song, “Solo.” During her first song, one thing that caught the audience’s attention was when she and a backup dancer danced together but the interesting part was that only their silhouettes could be seen.
Up next was Jisoo, who performed her B-side single,”All Eyes On Me.” This upbeat song took most of the crowd by surprise because it had never been performed live before. She then performed “Flower,” the main track on her newly released album, ME, which came out in late March.
Rosé, the main vocalist of the group, followed Jisoo and went right into her slow and sentimental song “Gone” while seated on an elevated ledge. She then finished her performance with her next song “On The Ground.” Her vocals stood out because they were on another level. It is one thing to hear them on the official recording, but hearing them live will have one wishing they could hear her sing forever!
Finally, the solos were concluded with the final member, Lisa, the main dancer of the group, who hit all the right notes on her global hit, “Money.” Her dancing skills were prominent throughout and she even included a dance break. Lisa’s stage presence lit up the entire stadium to close the solos.
After the solos, the group came back together to perform a couple more songs before wrapping the concert up with “Forever Young.” During the finale, the four women were lifted up on a platform for the whole stadium to see. The background screens displayed fireworks while confetti was being shot through cannons, showering the audience with rainbow streams.
The members of Blackpink said their goodbyes and exited through a platform that lowered into the stage. Fans assumed that the concert was over. However, like most K-pop concerts, there was an encore and those in attendance, who chanted “Blackpink! Blackpink!” were treated to a dance challenge. Screens lit up and music blared through the speakers. Cameras were directed at random fans in the audience, inviting them to dance along with the song that was being played.
After the dance challenge ended, the talented women came back out and did “Stay.” This part of the concert was clearly more laid-back and casual compared to the first part. The members of the group were dressed in casual outfits and cheerfully greeted the fans in the front row. No choreography was present but, instead, they encouraged the audience to jump up and dance.
Right before the final song, a cake commemorating the seventh anniversary of Blackpink was brought out onto the stage.
The group thanked all the fans that came and shared their memories of the past seven years together. Lisa recalled how she met Rosé in the elevator of their company building. These lighthearted moments were shared among the members and then with the crowd. The young women gathered in front of the cake and took a photo with the entire audience waving their light sticks behind them.
“As If It’s Your Last” and a fireworks display capped the concert. Rosé encouraged the crowd to “dance as if it’s their last,” and the fans honored her request. Blackpink returned to the platform, acknowledging their fans again before descending beneath the stage.
The walkout was both sad and joyful but all concertgoers shared one thing in common: It was certainly an unforgettable night, one to remember!
