Rarely, only “in fantasies,” does a K-pop group return to a stadium they’ve already performed at and deliver an even crazier, more intense, and better-received set. But ATEEZ, the KQ boy group, did just that, and more, in Los Angeles at BMO Stadium for two nights in a row, August 8–9, on their IN YOUR FANTASY tour.
Nearing the latter half of their American leg, The Knockturnal returned to see ATEEZ at a familiar stage, with the promise from leader Hongjoong: “We always promise to bring your fantasy to life.”
It was a night filled with sparkling outfits, solo stages, and explosive energy flowing from the stage to the crowd.
Opening the show was their younger brother group, Xikers, who hyped up the stadium with “We Don’t Stop,” “Breathe,” and even a rendition of ATEEZ’s “Bouncy.” Just weeks earlier, Xikers had been in LA performing at the smaller venue The Novo, but here they singlehandedly electrified the massive BMO Stadium crowd with just a few songs. (You can check out our experience at their last tour, Road to XY: Enter the Gate.)
Xikers also debuted their new track “ICONIC” in LA, an iconic moment in itself. (Pun intended!)
Then came the main act: ATEEZ. From their latest album arrived new solo stages ranging from sultry to powerful. The group opened with “BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS),” appearing in sparkling black outfits with a live band and background dancers, making the night feel even more unique and unforgettable. The track, built for stadiums, kicked off a setlist we’re still thinking about weeks later.
Next up were “Fireworks (I’m The One)” and “Blind,” high-intensity performances carried by strong bridges and vocalist Jongho’s signature growls and soaring high notes.
“Blind” was particularly special: it was their first time performing the track live in a U.S. setlist. The playful choreography with red draping, plus member Mingi’s hilarious appearance as Willy Wonka (a fandom inside joke), made it unforgettable. The beat fused of what seemed to be Latin and Persian influences, and the crowd moved right along with them.
After “Blind,” each member introduced themselves, greeted with deafening screams and love from ATINY, their fans. Expanding the meaning of the IN YOUR FANTASY tour, to fulfill any fantasy or story imaginable, they dove deeper into the set.
The first solo performance came from Yunho with “Slide to Me.” The black-and-white concept matched sharp, chilling sounds and choreography, elevated further by the live band’s accompaniment.
Seonghwa followed with his solo, “Skin.” His sultry performance matched the song’s tone perfectly, as he slowly revealed more skin, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving ATINY a glimpse straight into their fantasy.
The solos that followed included Yeosang’s “Legacy,” which felt like a song straight out of a movie soundtrack, complete with a magical dance break, and Wooyoung’s “Sagittarius,” fittingly named after his zodiac sign. Wooyoung appeared shirtless under a leather jacket, delivering a slower, melodic track punctuated by soft piano. Two very different stages, yet both equally loved and executed to perfection.
Soon after came “Guerrilla.” A concert classic. As the lyrics “break the wall” echoed, it called back to the name and theme of their previous tour.
Next up was Jongho’s solo stage. Alone at first, with no band and just his voice commanding the stadium, he filled the space with a calm yet powerful presence. Then, as the band joined in, his ballad soared, creating a stunning contrast to the high-energy tracks that followed, like “Lemon Drop” and “Shaboom.” These songs carried playful energy and explosive choruses, amplified by the live band to an entirely new level.
At this point, I realized, we weren’t even halfway through the show. ATEEZ was serving us a full-on feast.
San’s solo “Creep” and Hongjoong’s “NO1” followed. “Creep” was driven by a lead guitar line that carried the entire song, giving us a sultry, seductive stage with edgy lyrics. San’s talent shone through in every note. On the flip side, “NO1” hyped up the crowd as Hongjoong appeared as a DJ, throwing himself into the moment. The track was pure EDM. Hype, headbanging, and carefree fun. At one point, I caught myself thinking: Is this an ATEEZ concert or Hard Summer?
The last solo belonged to Mingi with “Autobahn + Roar.” His set was on an entirely different level, appearing elevated above the stage. He led the crowd with fierce roars and barks before shouting, “Make some F**ing noise!” Clearly, the American air was rubbing off on him. It was raw, intense, and the perfect way to close out the night of solos. Iconic.
From there, the group powered through the rest of their set with new and fan-favorite songs alike. High-energy tracks like “Work,” “Ice on My Teeth,” and the tour’s title track, “In Your Fantasy,” kept the momentum going, building an atmosphere only ATEEZ could create. Each performance left us buzzing, already eager for their return again.
The songs, the solos, the live band, the fans, and the sheer electricity in the air came together to create an unforgettable night. ATEEZ were fully present, and so were we.
Photo Courtesy: KQ Entertainment
Upcoming IN YOUR FANTASY Tour Dates
August 23 (Sat) — Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, Mexico
September 13 (Sat) – September 15 (Mon) — Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
September 20 (Sat) – September 21 (Sun) — Port Messe Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
October 22 (Wed) – October 23 (Thu) — GLION Arena Kobe, Kobe, Japan
FOR MORE ATEEZ:
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