aespa’s second Tokyo Dome concert took place on August 17 and 18, 2024.
The global group aespa, composed of KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE, and NINGNING, has captivated audiences worldwide since their debut last year. Their first tour, “aespa LIVE TOUR 2023 ‘SYNK : HYPER LINE’,” wowed fans in 21 cities across the globe. In May of this year, they released their first full album, “Armageddon,” and have since embarked on their second world tour, “aespa LIVE TOUR 2024 ‘SYNK : PARALLEL LINE’,” starting with their Seoul performance in June.
This concert was an additional show following their Japan arena tour in July, marking the first time a female international artist has performed at Tokyo Dome for two consecutive years. Here, we’ll report on the first of these shows, held on August 17.
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aespa’s First Chapter Unfolds: A Setlist Spanning From Debut to New Releases
On this day, following the passage of the typhoon, Tokyo saw extremely high temperatures, and over 40,000 MYs (aespa’s fandom) filled Tokyo Dome. As the lights dimmed and countless lights on the screen formed the letters “aespa” like connecting stars in a constellation, the audience erupted in cheers. Drapes hung across the stage, and the silhouettes of the four members appeared behind them. As the curtain dropped without hesitation, the first song, “Drama,” began.
The members wore all-white outfits, reflecting the trendy balletcore style, with flowing lace skirts, corset-like tops, and arm warmers. The powerful lyrics, “The protagonist is me, the drama begins with me,” heightened the anticipation for the unfolding story. After WINTER’s soaring chorus signaled a dance break, the energy in the venue surged. The group then moved to the circular center stage, seamlessly transitioning into their debut song “Black Mamba” and “Salty & Sweet.”
As the dancers vanished, the intro to “Girls” began on the stage with just the four members. This song had not been part of the setlist for this tour, making it a surprise for fans who had prepared for it. Moreover, upon closer listening, the hard riff from “Savage” was playing in the background, revealing a Tokyo Dome-specific mashup. The sight of the four members dancing towards each other in sync with the phrase “We Them Girls” was both impressive and overwhelming. As they returned to the main stage on a moving platform, they transitioned to “Savage,” which was also being performed for the first time on this tour. The first section of the show concluded with a dance break that mixed the two songs once again.
aespa is known for its grand narrative that navigates between the virtual and real worlds. During the show, the screen often showcased the slithering “Black Mamba,” setting the stage for a journey through their story. The first section of the performance mirrored aespa’s chapter one: starting with their debut track, moving through “Savage” where they confront the Black Mamba, then to “Girls” for the battle’s climax, and concluding with “Salty & Sweet” from their album MY WORLD, marking the start of a new chapter in the real world. While the music featured powerful dance beats, the members’ costumes—ethereal and delicate—offered a striking contrast, reflecting aespa’s latest style.
