Bringing their full force to the stage, these named “Concert Legends” made every second of their nearly two-hour set at Crypto.com Arena count for the final stop of their North American leg.
NCT 127—the high-energy, boundary-pushing K-pop group under SM Entertainment—just wrapped up their ‘NEO CITY – THE MOMENTUM’ tour across North America. With a setlist packed with 27 songs (leaving us wanting, like, 100 more… get it?), they gave everything to their fans.
Six of their dynamic, duality-filled members—Johnny, Mark, Yuta, Jungwoo, Doyoung and Haechan—took the stage, while Taeyong and Jaehyun were absent due to military service. But even with two missing, the group’s explosive energy and undeniable growth over the years were on full display.
The tour’s title, “THE MOMENTUM,” symbolizes their unstoppable drive to reach even bigger stages worldwide, and that’s exactly what they did.
I had just seen them about a year ago at the same venue for KCON 2024, and wow—what a difference. Their evolution was undeniable, and from the moment the venue glowed neon green with NCTzens’ (the fans’) lightsticks, you could tell we were in for a show.
The North American leg featured six stops across major cities, including:
Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Now, onto the show!
Before the members even stepped on stage, a cinematic action-packed VCR featuring masked members and high-stakes stunts set the mood. The crowd’s screams were deafening, proving that the hype was REAL. And with that, the stage was set for an unforgettable night.
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
Hitting the pedal the show started with “GAS,” as the members stormed the stage in sleek black racer-style outfits, delivering explosive choreography that had the crowd screaming. The energy? Unreal.
They then switched gears—ironically—with “FASTER”, a mesmerizing contrast of rapid beats and smooth, fluid movements.
Next up, “BRING THE NOIZE”—and bring it, they did. Fire effects, an extended stage setup, and an intense atmosphere had the entire arena on edge in the best way possible.
Then came the ultimate fan-favorite, “2 BADDIEZ”—pure hype from start to finish. Seeing this one up close? Unreal. Every baddie needs to experience this song live at least once in their life.
This high-energy segment wrapped up with “CHAIN”—a throwback hit with intricate formations that proved every song in the set flowed together seamlessly. A true chain reaction.
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
Each track built on the last, keeping the momentum at full throttle. And this was just the beginning.
The group then took a moment to catch their breath and speak to the crowd. Introducing themselves one by one, they expressed how honored they were to be closing out this leg of the tour in Los Angeles.
Doyoung confidently declared, “Tonight is going to be the hottest night!”—and honestly, I couldn’t agree more, despite the rare Los Angeles rain outside.
Mark hyped up the crowd even more, asking, “Are you ready to make tonight a #1 night?” And judging by the energy in the arena, they absolutely did.
The stage transformed into a showroom for “Designer”, complete with clothing racks and members playfully trying on outfits. “Touch” was pure joy, filling the arena with rainbow confetti and the members’ infectious energy. The entire crowd swayed along, matching the vibrant atmosphere.
With “No Clue” and “Pricey” the show shifted to a sultry tone. Whispered vocals made for an entrancing performance, with vocals so striking it was impossible to stay seated.
Then came the all-English version of “Regular” which made it easy for fans to sing along, though they would have done so in any version—Korean, English, or Chinese.
Following was the iconic track “Sticker”—a defining moment of the concert in my eyes. Its intricate choreography and commanding stage presence solidified its status as an essential NCT 127 performance. Johnny even declared this the hypest “Sticker” they had ever experienced.
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
Johnny introduced the next two songs as ‘a little sexy,’ and indeed, “Whiplash” and “Lemonade” delivered a hot performance that set the stage ablaze before transitioning into a more mellow, ballad-like vibe—proving once again that there’s no concept NCT 127 can’t master.
The members strutted out in long raincoats for “Rain Drop,” bringing a stylish and sultry energy to the stage. With umbrellas in hand, they performed the dramatic choreography that brought them to the front of the stage. The rain-themed setup felt perfectly fitting for LA’s weather, as they utilized the whole stage with this performance and all the tracks that followed.
“Can’t Help Myself,” “Gold Dust” and “No Longer” followed with pure, iconic vocals and mesmerizing energy before transitioning into the final high-energy stages of the show.
Promptly, the crowd went wild for “Far,” “Kick It” and probably the loudest and craziest reaction of the night for “Fact Check.” You could genuinely feel the power in the arena like a surge of energy from the crowd as NCT 127 brought it all home.
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
The encore segment kicked off with “Walk”, where the members appeared in cozy sleeveless outfits, radiating playful energy. Johnny called out, “You know this one!” as the crowd went wild for the familiar track.
The encore felt like a soft, fun end to an otherwise high-energy show, with a different style that still packed plenty of excitement. At one point, they even threw signed colored balls into the crowd—though I sadly didn’t catch one (my aim isn’t great, but my writing skills are!).
For the encore and farewell, the members performed “Meaning of Love” and “Dreams Come True,” offering soft, fun vibes and a sense of gratitude before closing with the track “Promise You.”
Johnny summed it up perfectly: “It was the best finale.” Doyoung reflected, “This wasn’t work for me, it was a journey.” Mark teased his upcoming solo album, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans!
NCT 127 delivered a concert that was both explosive and intimate, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next. The members’ energy, engagement and passion created an unforgettable experience from start to finish for fans and newcomers alike.
“THE MOMENTUM” truly lived up to its name, leaving fans exhilarated and craving more. NCT 127 promised they’d be back soon—and this time, it’s not a joke.
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
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