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.
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aespa’s Setlist: A Showcase of Unmatched Talent
Following an interlude video, aespa performed “Supernova,” a track that topped South Korea’s streaming charts for 11 consecutive weeks this year. This catchy hit showcases the talent of music producer KENZIE. The members changed into metallic outfits, with the flying lasers highlighting the song’s space-themed ambiance.
In the following performance of “Mine,” a jungle gym-like structure appeared on stage. The dance moves, utilizing poles and stairs, captivated the audience, while the sparse arrangement of the song allowed aespa’s high-level vocal and rap skills to shine even more.
During the MC segment that began with Karina’s “Are you enjoying Tokyo Dome?”, each member greeted the Japanese fans, with Winter saying, “I’ve missed MY-J,” and Ningning expressing, “I’m truly happy.” Giselle’s enthusiastic “I’m back!” elicited an especially loud response from the crowd.
The performance then shifted to handheld microphones, featuring the Japanese song “Sun and Moon,” which has also gained attention for its lyric video, followed by tracks “Prologue” and “Long Chat (#♥)” from the album Armageddon. The members split into two groups—Karina and Ningning, and Winter and Giselle—forming hearts with their hands and waving to the fans, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere while showcasing their vocal talents.
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Epic Mid-Set Solos: Each Member’s Unique Moment
One of the highlights of the first half was the solo performances by each member. While the group has previously showcased their individual talents through drama and film soundtracks, as well as internal collaborations, this time they presented even more refined and distinctive solo performances, raising expectations for their future as solo artists.
First up was Giselle, performing “Dopamine,” a track she co-wrote and co-produced. Starting with a four-on-the-floor intro, the song transitions into laid-back R&B, featuring a mix of rap and singing that reflects Giselle’s trendy style.
Karina appeared in streetwear, including baggy pants and a headband, to perform “Up,” a hip-hop dance track with an old-school vibe. She wrote the lyrics herself, showcasing her cool and confident persona.
Ningning took the stage with her back to the audience and a hooded outfit for her R&B track “Bored!,” which she wrote and choreographed. Her powerful vocals were complemented by a solo dance break that energized the crowd.
Winter closed the segment with “SPARK,” an euphoric EDM track she contributed to writing and composing. Her performance featured impressive choreography, including whacking dance moves and fabric props, creating a thrilling atmosphere in the dome.
