BTS Light up London with two nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Kirsty Bright
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Having been in the audience for both Brussels nights, the next city had quite the reputation to live up to. After the members posted videos of the crowd in Brussels and the sheer volume that they sang at, it was London's turn to try and go up another level. Even before the boys' shows began, the city itself had been turned into a giant BTS playground. Through BTS Arirang the city allowed fans to go on side quests to collect stamps while enjoying unique immersive Korean cultural experiences. London offered plenty to keep fans happy ahead of the concerts.
The members last performed in London in 2019 for the Love Yourself tour, in which the iconic “Young Forever” was embedded as a bonding moment and memory between both members and ARMY. Before the show, staff gave the fans a secret mission to surprise the members by singing the chorus as loud as they could. The entire stadium sang in perfect Korean, leaving the members visibly emotional and proving once again that language knows barriers and that music truly connects us all. But, seven years later, the main question remained… would it feature in the surprise segment?
In the build-up before the show, the screens were adorned in Hangeul scripture telling the story of Arirang and the multiple meanings we can apply to it today. It relates back in a way to the themes of the “what is your love song?” campaign ahead of the album's release. The music and imagery were enigmatic yet had a calming presence that slowly built to the start.
The concert unfolded in three well-executed parts beginning with the intense fire that was "Hooligan"; the perfect collective cult-like cheers of “ha ha ha hooligan” were such a fun participation cheer; it felt more like it was ARMY’s concert. It verged on a duet battle cry with the members and a pack of delighted hyenas.
The introduction of a 360 stage was a new concept for the boys but, again, a decision that strongly paid off. Every seated or standing section got a great view and felt closer to the group instead of distant. The effects of the screen added to the experience, tracks like “RUN BTS’ and its cinematic slow-motion effects made their already autobiographical summary of their career even more film-like.
Many may think, "How could you watch the same show more than once?” Well, this is BTS we’re talking about. You need to process the technicalities, staging, choreography, and vocals, not to mention just finally seeing all seven finally on stage after the last four years. The first show was surreal; the concurrence allows you to fully absorb their craftsmanship, the arc of the concert and just how on top of their game they are.
The opening run of songs, led by “Hooligan”, "Aliens', and "RUN BTS” demonstrate who they are in this new chapter. These openers define who they are with a quiet confidence earned through their years of success. This is also highlighted from the start, where no real introductions are given, instead the members emerge with the dancers towards the stage. Letting the smoke, pyrotechnics, and heightened drama be the reintroduction to both fans and stage.
One that had a fantastic chapter two, allowing them all to explore their own sound and artistic identities around their military enlistment. The fans waited and supported it, launching each member onto the charts to great success and attending solo tours from Jin, j-Hope, and SUGA. Yet despite their success, this concert truly felt like what they had promised: a reunion. A comeback party for everyone who had waited; gone were the chaotic headlines, trolling, and outside.
During “They don’t know about us” the screens became a symbolic moment, perhaps reflecting the ongoing years in the spotlight at a breakneck speed, one I’m sure many would never be able to fathom. The screens showed cameras flashing, TV screens, and fingers pointing back at the members. A relentless scrutiny they’ve faced throughout their career. These segments felt more theatrical, being cinematic to accompany their heartfelt lyrics and stoic stage presence.
The second act felt more like a gateway from the newly charged BTS to still being the same group that has dominated the industry for years. Back with the ever-identifiable strong and a reminder of who they are was opening with "2.0", complete with that tight and cool choreography showing they can do both intensely while maintaining a balanced show. Although it’s technically not old school, considering their extensive discography, they brought out the classics like “Not Today”, a fight anthem that had the crowd bouncing around. Each member made use of the four-corner extended stage to interact with the crowd.
It shifted gears faster when the first beats of “Mic Drop" began, the moment the crowd was waiting for. The unspoken rule and now tradition of screaming “Mianhae, Eomma! On SUGAS behalf (if you know the lore, you know) is incredibly satisfying. Even more so now the members are in on it, and the members wait for the wall of sound with SUGA now putting the mic to the fans.
“Body to body” is another moment that sticks as a highlight through the Korean lyrics of Arirang. A cultural sentiment that has had fans worldwide involved in making sure those lyrics are sung back to BTS almost in acknowledgement of understanding just what they set out to achieve with ARIRANG. One that may look like a risky move but one that paid off. The message highlights the sentiment and historical significance of the word to South Korea. The very emphasis of what this album was planned to be. A comeback that was still very BTS, connected to their roots and embracing the Korean culture as they too continue to evolve.
During the singing of the lyrics of Arirang – which the crowd is expected to sing. The screens show fans who dressed in hanbok for the shows as they watched the fans sing. Bearing in mind the cultural significance of this tradition easily being picked up and fans committing to learning alone shows the impact of this group. While this part is emotional, it's brought back to party mode when Namjoon switches to shouting for "I need the whole stadium to jump", complete with pyrotechnics that just made the whole song just incredible to experience. As usual, all seven dominate in their own unique way, and we’re all on point, be it vocal, rap or just pure energy.
Night one also saw a beautiful fan project spring to life. The beloved recent release of the fan-centred “Come Over” saw a sea of blue banners arise across the stadium with the simple slogan: “We’ll always love you like we did before.”
To the delight of the boys, they were clearly taken aback and grateful for the love. Returning to Europe after such a long time, since they were grateful for everyone patiently waiting and love before them. Endless thank you's and bowing deeply featured before expressing their regret at not coming back sooner.
One of the segments that have had the fans excited is the surprise song segment. This is where the DJ will select two songs that aren’t on the setlist. As you can imagine with an extensive discography over the years, the anticipation for what is to come builds with each stop. Fans will wave their handmade signs with requests ranging from songs never played live to the classics.
With 13 years of music as a group, there are quite a few tracks to choose from. As you can imagine, many fans have their firm favourites. Adorned with their handmade signs, many have popular requests. It was time to see what the DJ chose, and when Namjoon finally signalled for the DJ to “spin that shit", the stadium erupted as 2020’s “Life Goes On” began. A harmonising edition of the chorus then played into the next surprise (and a personal favourite), the biggest party track "Dionysus".
Tracks like "Butter" and “Dynamite” gave way to the boys unfolding in their playful side. Clearly gauging each other to be more mischievous and having bigger dance battles than the previous night. And for this to be the world's biggest band, this segment always felt like it showcased that at the heart of the seven friends who love to perform. After seeing their past struggles on previous tours, where intense performances led to them pushing themselves to physical exhaustion and even oxygen masks awaiting backstage, as seen documented in films such as Burn the Stage.
If night one celebrated being reunited, then the second was centred around emotions and nostalgia interwoven with past memories. The DJ spun classic surprise songs starting with “Save Me", but it was “Young Forever" that got the tears flowing. Seven years had passed since the last London singalong to this classic, one that is etched as a strong moment within the fandom. Time has passed, but things between the fandom and artist have stayed the same – if not stronger. But this time future uncertainties have left the future brighter, assured, and more grounded. Watching the reaction to not just the crowd but the members themselves, the reaction was visibly emotional. Perhaps feeling like a time machine, yet now secure in the present, as back in London with the fans once again singing every Korean lyric back to them. A reminder on what BTS have always been about – a shared experience through their music and a language barrier that has never felt like it existed.
In past tours the finale of any show concludes with a grand fireworks display, something previous stops have missed out on primarily due to country restrictions. But my goodness, did London get one hell of a display? It felt less like a goodbye and more like a celebration at being fully back. As Namjoon reflected earlier, the years lost to the pandemic and their military enlistment are finally behind them; they’re back, and it feels bloody lovely jubbly. Let’s hope London won’t have to wait too long for the next show.
