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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-08-19 07:06:47
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- "Incheon, the weather's killing it. Jump!"
As Psy's commanding voice echoed through the stadium, water jets shot into the air, and the crowd erupted, jumping in place and creating a massive wave of energy.
On the 17th, more than 31,000 fans gathered at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium for the "2024 Psy Summer Swag" concert, seemingly erasing the word "heatwave" from their minds as they immersed themselves in the rhythm.
Even as the evening temperature reached 28°C with over 60% humidity, enough to make sweat bead on their foreheads, the audience was too busy wiping off the water from their faces, sprayed from the stage, to notice the sweat.
Psy kicked off the concert with "Bird" and then dashed back and forth across the stage, exuding energy with "It's Art." He quickly ramped up the atmosphere with a rapid-fire sequence of hits including "It's Touching," "New Face," and "All Night Long."
When the microphone stopped working mid-song, Psy didn't miss a beat, using gestures to keep the audience engaged, proving once again why he's a "master of live performances."
As the crowd began chanting his real name, Park Jae-sang, he humorously announced, "For the sake of your voices, I'll limit the chanting of my name to five times." The audience obliged, stopping their cheers as soon as Psy held up five fingers, much to his surprise.
The concert was filled with a dazzling array of surprises, as promised in the pre-show notices. One memorable scene featured water jets shooting up from the center of the stage like a peacock spreading its wings.
After sunset, the mood was further heightened as the audience’s knuckle bands lit up in various colors, adding to the spectacle.
The guest performances, a hallmark of Psy's shows, were no exception. Hwasa of Mamamoo got the crowd singing along with her solo tracks "I Love My Body" and "Twit," as well as a medley of Mamamoo hits. Rapper Simon Dominic delivered a powerful rap performance before surprising the crowd with a soulful rendition of Lee So-ra's ballad "As It Was in the Beginning."
Psy also showcased his enduring dance skills with upbeat tracks like "Gentleman" and "Daddy," and poured his heart into emotional performances of "What Would Have Been" and "Father," his voice straining with emotion.
Before performing "Paradise," a song he composed, Psy expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, "When you chant my name, it thrills me as a singer and as a composer. It’s a multidimensional happiness to see two dreams come true at once."
The concert also featured a tribute to the late Shin Hae-chul, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing. The performance of "Dream" was accompanied by images of Shin on a large screen, along with his poignant words, "Perhaps life is just a long dream," leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
After closing the main concert with "Gangnam Style" and "Like That," Psy returned for an encore, transforming into a DJ and turning the stadium into a massive karaoke party. The audience responded enthusiastically as he played hits like Super Junior's "Sorry, Sorry," 2NE1's "I Am the Best," and Big Bang's "Fantastic Baby." The big screen showed fans of all ages, from teenagers dancing wildly to middle-aged couples swaying to the music.
The concert, which began at 6 PM, stretched well over three hours, nearing 10 PM. The fans sang along to Psy's "Hot Goodbye," Yoon Soo-il's "Apartment," and So Chan-whee's "Tears," capping off an unforgettable weekend night.
To prevent heat-related illnesses, cooling mists were activated before the concert, and rest areas and medical stations were available throughout the event.
The "2024 Psy Summer Swag" tour continues on the 18th with another show in Incheon, followed by performances in Suwon on the 24th and 25th, and Gwacheon on the 31st.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]