NCT 127’s ongoing world tour headed to the United States after announcing only two stops in Los Angeles and Newark. On October 6, The Knockturnal was invited to attend the sold out NCT 127’s ‘Neo City: The Link’ show at the Crypto.com Arena in LA. This concert was extremely special for NCT 127 and their fans, also known as NCTzens or Czennies, because it was the first time NCT had been back performing in the states in 3 years post-pandemic. “The Link” world tour was first announced back in November 2021 and began with a three-date concert at the Seoul Sky Dome. Since then the boys have already performed in Singapore, Tokyo, and Manila. The group also announced that there will be dates and cities for Latin America coming soon. The Newark show will be taking place on October 13 at the Prudential Center.
This tour follows the release of NCT 127’s fourth studio album, ‘질주 (2 Baddies)’. The 12-track album showed fans a variety of different genres while staying true to the distinct NCT sound. The album featured tracks that showcase hip hop and R&B influences as well as the groups’ familiar soulful pop sound. Their album ‘질주 (2 Baddies)’ debuted at #1 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart, #2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales, and NCT 127 charted on Top 3 on the Billboard 200 twice in a row.
When I arrived to the Crypto.com Arena, I was immediately amazed by the dedication Czennies had with their neon green fanbase color when coordinating their outfits. The arena was buzzing with excitement as fans ran to collect merch, lightsticks, and pre-concert photos. Once seated inside the stadium it was almost impossible to find an empty seat. Fans sat syncing their lightsticks while singing along to their favorite songs until the moment they had been waiting for when the two screens split to reveal all of the members. Immediately the whole venue erupted in cheers, arena shaking as the boys began with a powerful performance of ‘Kick It’. As a fan of K-pop for over 10 years, I have attended my fair share of K-pop shows and seen how loud fans can be, especially when they are finally seeing their favorite group for the first time. After witnessing ‘Neo City: The Link’, it is safe to say that no fanbase can compare to the volume of an arena full of NCTzens.
The members, consisting of TAEIL, JOHNNY, TAEYONG, YUTA, DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, JUNGWOO, MARK, and HAECHAN, made sure to make up for lost time since their last show with the amazing setlist they had. The fans spoke, and NCT 127 listened setting the standard for all K-pop groups to follow with their immaculate setlist that no one was expecting. As a long time fan, watching the show was like an emotional rollercoaster where I found myself constantly screaming, “Oh my god!” with each song they performed. With tons of classics like ‘Regular’, surprise throwback performances like ‘Touch’ and ‘Back 2 U’, and new hits like ‘2 Baddies’ it was a concert that no one wanted to end. Just when I thought the concert couldn’t get any better, Taeil appeared on stage kicking off all of the members solo performances.
After almost three hours of consistent performing, laughing, and throwing signed balls into the crowd the concert finally came to a close with each member narrating a personal letter written to the fans while preparing for their final stage. They thanked everyone for waiting for them and hoped they enjoyed the show promising that they will return soon. The concert ended with each member giving their closing ments while fans and members started to tear up. Even up until the last minute the boys kept up their energy cracking jokes and screaming thank you’s into their mics as ‘Promise You’ played. NCT 127 will be missed, but now it’s time for fans in Newark to experience the same amazing show Los Angeles got.
Neo City: Los Angeles The Link Setlist
Kick It
Lemonade
Cherry Bomb
Elevator (127F)
Dreamer
Love Song
Taeil Solo (Another World)
Taeil and Haechan Stage (Love Sign)
Run Back 2 U (Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, and Jaehyun)
Highway to Heaven (English Version)
Breakfast
Mark Solo (Vibration)
Taeyong and Mark (Himalayas)
Jungwoo Solo (Lipstick Remix)
Focus
Johnny Dance Solo (Focus)
Jaehyun Solo (Lost)
Yuta Solo (Butterfly)
The Rainy Night
White Night
Back 2 U (Rearranged Version)
Doyoung Solo (The Reason Why It’s Favorite)
Favorite
Regular (English Version)
Love On The Floor
Paradise
Touch
Love Me Now
Sticker
Faster
2 Baddies
Dreams Come True
Promise You
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