Electrifying DJ sets, rock and K-pop performances signal end of long winter
As Korea enters the Samiljeol holiday weekend -- commemorating March 1st Independence Movement Day -- music fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of shows from top international and Korean artists.
On Friday, Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo will take the stage at Inspire Arena in Incheon’s Yeongjongdo.
Kygo debuted in 2013 and rose to global fame with "It Ain’t Me," his 2018 collaboration with Selena Gomez that reached Top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In Korea, he is well known for co-writing and producing BTS Jin’s solo track "The Astronaut."
This will be his first performance in Korea since a 2018 concert at the Olympic Hall. His setlist will focus on tracks from his 2024 album "Kygo." Canadian DJ Frank Walker and Norwegian singer-songwriter Victoria Nadine will also perform as special guests.
BTS’ J-Hope kicks off his first solo world tour, "Hope on the Stage," with three concerts at Kspo Dome in Seoul from Friday to Sunday.
This marks J-Hope’s first solo performance since completing his military service. Fans can also expect to hear tracks from his special album "Hope on the Street Vol. 1," which was released in March 2024 while he was in the military.
After the Seoul concerts, J-Hope will go on to do 31 shows in 15 cities, including stops in Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, Manila, Saitama and Singapore. Notably, he will become the first Korean solo artist to hold a concert at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium on April 4 and 6.
On Saturday, German-Russian DJ and producer Zedd will perform at Inspire Arena.
Zedd gained international recognition in 2012 with his debut album "Clarity," which won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 56th Grammy Awards. His second studio album in 2015, "True Colors," debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and won the Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Album the following year.
He has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in pop music, including Maren Morris and Grey on "The Middle," Ariana Grande on "Break Free," and Alessia Cara on "Stay."
Zedd first performed in Korea in 2013 and later headlined both the 2016 Jisan Valley Rock Festival and the 2023 World DJ Festival.
Also on Saturday, singer-songwriter Keshi will hold a concert at the Olympic Hall in Seoul.
Born in the US to Vietnamese American parents, Keshi initially worked as a nurse before teaching himself songwriting and production via YouTube. He began uploading his music to SoundCloud in 2017, and his dreamy vocal style quickly gained popularity. In 2019, he signed with Island Records to pursue music full-time.
His 2022 debut studio album "Gabriel" peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200, and his second LP, "Requiem" was released in September 2024.
The upcoming concert marks Keshi’s return to Korea after his first solo concert in 2022. He has previously expressed his special affection for Korea, filming the music video for his 2024 single "Say" in Seoul’s subway and Kintex convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Korea's legendary rock band YB is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special club concert titled "YB: Metalogic," on Saturday and Sunday at Rolling Hall in the Hongdae area of Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Rolling Hall, which also marks its 30th anniversary this year, holds sentimental value for YB as the band frequently performed there in its early days.
YB’s frontman Yoon Do-hyun overcame a rare cancer last year, making the band’s return even more significant. The band's latest album, "Odyssey" released on Wednesday, features six songs that embrace the intensity of metal music, including growling vocals, screaming techniques and intricate guitar solos. Fans can expect to hear tracks from the new album live at the upcoming concerts.
jy@heraldcorp.com
