It has been eight months since Stray Kids have been back in the states, but on January 29, 2020, they took over the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The intimate performance was their premiere concert to kick off their World Tour “District 9: Unlock.” With dozens of Stray Kids light sticks a glow, fans cheered in anticipation of the great eight, that included Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N., taking the stage. From the theatrical video pieces in the show to the boys’ dynamic stages to even their grand entrance of walking out as the digital screens divided, there were so many memorable moments from this special night. That being said, just in case you missed this performance here is The Knockturnal’s top FIVE moments from the Stray Kids ‘District 9 : Unlock’ NYC concert.
6. Opening Set Was Lit
Right off the bat, things got going. As fans screamed, the boys took the stage in Black and white outfits with jeweled details to get things jumping with a remix of “District 9.” Then the boys even went harder with commanding choreography and turned up the energy for “Victory Song,” “Question,” and a remix of “Rock” with no breaks or minimal breaks in between each song. With the momentum at an all-time high, the boys broke into an epic dance break to bring the performance home. Their stages were such high-energy that the guys were covered in sweat when they finished the set. Sweeping the sweat away, the boys then stopped to greet and say hello to their fans. Changbin even got teary-eyed as he expressed how hard they worked and how much he loved their fans, know as Stay.
5. Cue The Cuteness Of Being Cool
Early on in the concert, the boys performed their adorable hits like “Get Cool,” and “Awkward Silence” to the crowd’s delight. During this time the guys traded in their serious dance moves for being delightfully cute as they chased each other around the stage and joked with one another. The boys giggled with one another and Hyunjin even pretended to throw Seungmin into the audience, while the group’s youngest member, I.N., seemed to be the popular target of a lot attention.
4. Moving Performance of “Third Eye”
Probably the most moving performance of the night came when the eight took the stage for “Third Eye.” This stage uniquely used white chairs that became apart of their choreography. The chairs were delicate and thus the boys movement about them reflected that. The stage was profoundly emotional and moving.
2. The Visuals For “Hellevator” And “Miroh” Were Cray Cray
Returning to their original high energy, the boys returned to the stage after a mini-break that included a fan video game competition. Then the boys jumped into “Double Knot,” “Boxer” and eventually “Hellevator.” The stage for “Hellevator” was accompanied by a strong video background component that mimicked almost a VR experience. The visuals were in the first-person and transformed the stage into a 3d reality in which the audience journeyed with Stray Kids through a post-apocalyptic wasteland with fire and destruction. The boys then gathered together with drums, that worked as a rhythm section and props for dancing, with dancers joining them on stage to perform their monster hit “Miroh.” They ended “Miroh” with a dance break that could only be described as epic. Han even joked, “I think we destroyed the stage.”
1. Stray Kids Promise To Stay
Before the boys had to say goodbye, they took to the stage to talk to their fans, Stay, one last time. During this time the guys got emotional reflecting on what their fans meant to them and the journey they shared. Felix even choked-up and said, “I really want to do so much more for you guys. You’re the reason why we are still Stray Kids.” Leader, Bang Chan emotionally said, “As long as you guys invite us, we’ll be glad to come back.” He added, “We’ll give you guys the best 2020 ever, promise.” He also reiterated the group’s message and motto of “Stray kids everywhere all around the world.” He reminded their fans that Stray Kids represent the lost kids all around the world who are just trying to find themselves. Emotions aside, there was a light-hearted moment when the guys with their fans help even sang a few bars of Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind, “ before wrapping the show with savory next level performances of “YAYAYA” and an encore of “Miroh.”
Want to Stray Kids live on this tour? Check out www.subkultureent.com/stray-kids for tickets, locations and times.
