From the members who continuously stole the highlight to SKZ moving into full rock star mode, these are the unforgettable moments.
Stray Children carry out throughout Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Aug. 2, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
When Stray Children launched their single “MIROH” in March 2019, the then-one-year-old boy band commented to Billboard in an early listening session that they imagined the tune’s explosive, anthemic vitality might probably assist them get into festivals. Greater than 5 years after that launch (and 5 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart), Stray Children lived as much as their competition promise and surpassed it in some ways.
With a headlining slot for Day 2 of Lollapalooza 2024, SKZ arrived in Chicago for the largest competition efficiency of their profession on Friday evening (Aug. 2). This adopted main appearances earlier this 12 months at BST Hyde Park in London and I Days in Milan.
Though the group simply launched ATE, at present their fifth consecutive chart-topper on the Billboard 200, the setlist celebrated their a number of releases since final hitting the U.S. for the Maniac World Tour all through 2022-2023 with just a few particular throwback moments that illustrated how far the band has come. With a backing band supporting them as they did in London and Milan, SKZ songs like new single “Chk Chk Growth,” in addition to fan favorites like “TOPLINE,” “Lonely St.” and “DOMINO,” all bought a sonic improve — which noticeably happy Stray Children chief Bang Chan, who gave the instrumentalists a number of shoutouts via the evening and instructed them, “Hopefully we get to work collectively once more!” earlier than the set closed.
However amid the heartfelt moments, together with what gave the impression to be an impromptu, fan-dedicated observe to shut with, Stray Children additionally used Lolla because the second to indicate the true rock stars that they’re on stage as yet one more crowning achievement.
Listed below are the seven finest moments from Stray Children’ headlining Lollapalooza efficiency.
The Showmanship in “FREEZE”
After instantly capturing the viewers’s consideration with the 2023 single “S-Class,” Stray Children moved shortly into “FREEZE,” a B-side off 2022’s Maniac, that proved to be a brilliant sensible setlist transfer to showcase their whole showmanship and musicality.
Changbin and Han displayed true hip-hop prowess with lightning-fast rap types, whereas Hyunjin commanded each eye as he took heart stage throughout dance sections. Lee Know’s efficiency exuded an plain fierceness whereas Seungmin’s excessive notes soared as he performed to the guitarist. Regardless of the depth of such a high-profile efficiency, Han and Felix made all of it look straightforward as they affectionately wrapped their arms round each other whereas delivering verses. Regardless of the a number of excessive notes he can be dealing with, even the youngest member, I.N, was shortly getting snug, finally shucking off his leather-based jacket to disclose a sleeveless muscle tee and incessantly working to the viewers to encourage them to sing alongside.
For brand new observers or curious potential followers, “S-Class” was a catchy introduction, however “FREEZE” served as the final word hook, proving that Stray Children are the true deal.
Han’s Express “Tremendous Bowl”
Shortly after “FREEZE,” Stray Children transitioned into “Tremendous Bowl,” off their 2023 album 5-Star, which shortly confirmed this was not a typical Ok-pop efficiency.
The group was able to get rowdy and have enjoyable, a sentiment finest exemplified by Han’s playful lyric changeup earlier than the ultimate choruses. As an alternative of singing “Our dish right here’s so bussin’,” Han shouted, “Our s— right here’s so bussin’!”
Whereas Stray Children followers have come to anticipate this express change in dwell performances, it was considerably sudden to listen to it uncensored on the Hulu dwell stream. The choice was much more intriguing given stories that JYP Leisure founder J.Y. Park attended Lollapalooza to observe the efficiency. However Han’s infectious, hyped-up vitality all through all the set was unattainable to tone down — and thank goodness for that.
The whole lot Felix
Whereas Felix has been gaining international recognition as a home ambassador for Louis Vuitton and lately making his runway debut at Paris Style Week, Lollapalooza actually felt just like the second to solidify himself as his most genuine rock-star self.
His lightning-white blonde hair, styled in flowing locks and tiny twist braids matched with beautiful white LV vests, made him appear to be a shining Greek god on stage. All through the efficiency, Felix typically jumped from his signature bassy low grumble to a extra energized octave, showcasing his vocal versatility and understanding when to get extra animated to higher hype up the gang. Additional proof: In the course of the “Charmer” efficiency, Felix whipped the sleeves of the vest round his shoulders and chest, giving only a flash of his abs and muscle tissues that drove the gang wild — and visibly shocked his bandmate, Han.
Perhaps it was a results of the Chicago warmth, however Felix additionally incessantly drenched himself in water, including a glowing, dripping aura to his onstage presence. Because of this, he grew to become a number-one trending subject throughout social media and, maybe extra importantly, set a brand new normal for Ok-pop artists to completely embrace their rock-star attitudes on stage.
The Magic of “Maniac”
After a fast part to speak with the viewers halfway via the set, Stray Children delivered 5 of their hit singles in a row with an plain standout in 2022’s “Maniac.” Whereas the observe is robust for its atypical manufacturing and provoking message, the stage additionally allowed SKZ to be each informal {and professional}. Whereas there can be the occasions the members might stroll round and freestyle all through the stage, the octet additionally might seamlessly reform and fall proper again into their choreographed formations.
Whereas Ok-pop acts are well-known for his or her meticulously rehearsed choreography and CD-quality vocals ready for each efficiency, Stray Children having the ability to freely hop into dance mode or freestyle mode is a key indicator to how profitable they’ve been in an business like America, the place followers admire musicians with true authenticity and ease on stage.
Alongside Bang Chan and Seungmin’s skillful excessive notes, “Maniac” confirmed one other degree of spectacular stage efficiency for all eight members.
Hyunjin’s Working the Water & Stage
Maybe no member embraced the various water bottles supplied on stage for the group as Hyunjin did.
Whereas the Stray Children members took turns drenching themselves and each other, in addition to spraying a possible overheated Chicago viewers, Hyunjin gave the impression to be working the water in his personal magical trend. Sporting two distinct appears to be like at Lolla, he at all times appeared drenched head to toe — along with his white For Each Residing Factor T-shirt changing into see-through from the accrued moisture. The water added to Hyunjin’s enigmatic stage presence, making him an much more charming performer.
The 24-year-old Versace international ambassador Hyunjin sometimes takes heart stage for varied dance sections, however at Lollapalooza, he stepped up in a approach that felt extra creative (and badass). As shortly as he would declare the highlight, he might effortlessly step apart to let one other member shine. His ferocious stage presence is well-known amongst STAYs and Ok-pop followers, however Lollapalooza showcased Hyunjin’s true efficiency capabilities to the world.
The Explosive “MIROH” Efficiency
As acknowledged above, “MIROH” would inevitably be a spotlight given its anthemic manufacturing. However Stray Children took the five-year-old single to a completely new degree with the Lollapalooza rendition.
Whereas the unique observe opens with Felix’s signature low timbre, the 23-year-old delivered the intro in an invigorating, bewitching name to arms that helped the tune’s depth develop with every second.
By the tune’s closing, a fireworks show shot off amid the tune’s gargantuan beat drops and shout-along hooks for one thing that felt genuinely epic and celebratory. The truth that “MIROH” contains a number of moments for SKZ and followers to shout, “Stray! Children! Woo!” solely made the explosive ending that rather more good.
“Breaking the Guidelines” With “Haven” Closing
Even when “MIROH” was the epically explosive ending, Stray Children nonetheless got here out for extra songs as a extra informal encore for a second efficiency of “TOPLINE,” the “Pageant Model” of their newest single, “Chk Chk Growth,” and what appeared like an impromptu rendition of a particular fan tune to finish the evening formally.
Whereas the Children teased their goodbyes to the gang many occasions, the blokes stored coming again on after listening to the gang chant “Yet one more tune!” — and the members themselves began chanting it too. After “TOPLINE” and “Chk Chk Growth,” the members urged chief Bang Chan to announce they might carry out one other tune. Whereas Chan pleaded in his amiable Australian accent, “There’s guidelines right here: We’ve to go at a sure time!” Han shortly responded, “No, we gotta break the principles!” Bang Chan appeared satisfied, telling the viewers, “In case you guys get in bother, we’ll take duty.” After a fast huddle between the band members, they formally ended their set with the 2020 B-side observe “Haven.”
Whereas “Haven” was the tune to shut the Maniac World Tour, the lyrics significantly rang true at this crowning profession achievement. “Do no matter you need…/ Proper now, step out, do what you need,” spoke to them, pushing the (time) limits of their setlist, however it additionally acted as a heat reminder to their followers of the admiration and love Stray Children have for his or her supporters, affectionately often called STAY. One of many remaining lyrics, “I wanna STAY with you,” doubles as which means to STAY and conveys their trustworthy emotions. It was a very heartfelt approach to finish a second that solidified the true rock-star nature of Stray Children.
