Concert Review: SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE]

On October 12, 2024, K-Pop boy group Seventeen kicked off their fourth world tour, ‘SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE]’, with performances scheduled in major cities in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Asia. Following the launch of their anthology album, ‘17 IS RIGHT HERE’, the band had a setlist of classic songs along with b-sides that captivated fans. The group, consisting of thirteen members, is touring with eleven members this year–S. Coups, Joshua, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino–while Jeonghan and Jun are absent due to military service and acting commitments. While fans expressed disappointment over the absence of missing members, Seventeen’s performances were well received, with audiences praising the group’s energy and stage presence.

As thousands of fans filled the arena seats, many fans dressed differently. Some dressed in Seventeen’s official colors, rose quartz and serenity, while others dressed in burgundy and black from the music video ‘MAESTRO’. As music videos played on the big screen, fans cheered excitedly as a new song began to play as they waited for the show to start. 

The arena was lit up with Caratbongs, Seventeen’s official lightstick named after their fanbase, CARAT. Caratbongs could be seen creating a shimmering sea of colors that pulsed in time with the music.

The concert consists of eighteen songs including eight songs for their encore. These songs range from their first album in 2015 to their most recent releases. Newer songs consist of ‘LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled)’ and ‘Super’ along with older songs like ‘Oh my!’ and ‘Home’ were played in the concert. 

Seventeen’s setlist begins with ‘Fear’, representing their past struggles as artists. It then moves to ‘Fearless’, showing their breakthrough from fear. Finally, the act ends with ‘MAESTRO’, symbolizing how they’re no longer afraid and are in control as ‘artistic masters’.

Seventeen also celebrated The8’s birthday during the concert. They celebrated by singing Happy Birthday many times throughout the show, even stopping a song to sing Happy Birthday in Minghao’s first language, Chinese. Fans joined in celebrating by singing along with the members, also renting trucks and planes to wish him a happy birthday with a banner and a short video. 

As the concert drew to a close, the members shared kind messages to the fans, stating how they enjoyed the concert and how they hoped to be back, after they left the stage, concluding the show. However, they came back out to sing their many encore songs like ‘Campfire’, which touches on friendship, togetherness, and the comforting warmth of spending time with people who matter to you. The encore also included their debut song, ‘Adore U’, along with ‘’bout You’. Seventeen also continued their long tradition of repeatedly playing the same song “VERY NICE”, from seven to fifteen times, members will occasionally stop to encourage fans to sing the lyrics.

Seventeen’s tour, ‘SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE]’, shows their success and popularity not just in South Korea, but all over the world. Thousands of fans attended each concert throughout the country, gathering more support as time went on. The tour reflects the group’s journey from helplessness to hope as artists, tying with the theme of their latest album, ‘SPILL THE FEELS’. The U.S. leg of the tour ends on November 10 in Los Angeles, California, they will then have a gap to rest before they begin the Japan part of their tour on Nov. 29.