From the lines of 4+ wait at the pop-ups, to the spatterings of yellow that you could see across Sydney’s CBD in the lead up to the show, the buzz of the K-Pop legends’ return to Australia was undeniable. From the casual listeners, the childhood reclaimers, the members solo career fans and of course, the dedicated VIPs, people travelled from across not just Australia but the world to witness the return of BIGBANG to the Southern Hemisphere.
Walking into the stadium, we were greeted by a big screen playing the members solo music. There seemed to be a conscious effort to remind people that while this was a 20th Anniversary Celebration, it was also stepping into a new era that BIGBANG was now three members: G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. As people settled into their sections and the sun started to set, their latest single ‘BiiiG’ started playing on the screen. The song progressed and then suddenly, the audio boomed, inspiring the stadium to start singing along. When the music video ended with an explosion, it was time.
Because we know it all starts with the big bang.
ACT I: BIGBANG
A video package displaying the universe, travelling through the stars, juxtaposing with the cosmos flowers played. It was dramatic and pulled the 60,000+ audience in. As the opening notes of ‘Fantastic Baby’ filled the air, the screams of the crowd were deafening. The three stood strong and in command, dressed in stunning white. G-Dragon and Taeyang with their sunglasses on and Daesung‘s prince-like jacket shining, it was truly time to Boom-shakalaka. Switching up the verses to make up for absent former members, there was a moment of sadness but honestly, it was quickly shaken off. After such a legendary opener, there was no time to breathe as they went straight into ‘Hands Up’. As somebody who managed to see them during their ‘Still Alive’ Tour series, it felt like such a nostalgia hit to hear these songs again. ‘Tonight’ was next and its hard to deny the groups aura, especially with G-Dragon‘s iconic guitar smash.
Songs like ‘Blue’ tested to effectiveness of the light stick central control and as we started to head more into the ballad section, this was the time to witness the prowess of their live vocals. Taeyang‘s gut-wrenching section in ‘Loser’ was lightened up by G-Dragon and Daesung slow dancing behind, almost trying to remind everybody that this was indeed a party. Daesung proved once again why he is so famous for his voice with ‘If You’ and rounding off this section with ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Bae Bae’. Somewhere in there they took the time to talk to crowd, with the Australian audience proceeding to chant “take it off” to Taeyang. As he used to as an excuse to get the crowd to show us more rowdiness, or should I say “get wild like a Kangaroo and funky like Vegemite’, it was this kind of charm and charisma that long-time VIPs had been waiting for. This is also where first of many, many ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ chants happened. To finish off this ACT, the three took seats on well-deserved thrones and gave us a abridged version of the two songs that drew in so many long-time fans: ‘Haru, Haru’ and ‘Lies’.
Segeuing into the second section, their live band was given the task to entertain the crowd and that they did. This for me is one of the big differences between other pop acts I’ve seen. BIGBANG‘s live band are incredible and they truly elevate the sound. They did a fun mix of ‘La La La’, ‘FXXK IT’, Flower Road and ‘Alive’.
ACT II: CHAOS
It was time for the solo stages and well, it almost really did live up to its name. First up was the groups youngest, Daesung. As he took the stage, he welcomed the Sydney crowd “to his universe”, opening with that exact song, ‘Universe’. Well, the universe must’ve listened as it opened up the sky and the rain really started to fall, but he did not miss a beat. Dressed in a white singlet, black dress pants and a shining black and silver jacket, he felt like every bit the rockstar. He then threw it back to the powerful ‘Wings’, which had everybody in the stadium blown away from his vocals. Now, in true Daesung fashion, he had some great banter with the crowd. Trying to get us to take on his version of the ‘Aussie, oi’ chant. Once he had the place in stitches, he was about to continue when he was interrupted by a lightning strike. With an obvious shock across his face and probably a direction in his in-ear to get the show on the road, he then apologised and jumped into his trot section of ‘Hando Chouga’ and ‘Look At Me Gwisun’. Unfortunately his microphone did drop out a couple of times, but it did not seem to phase him in the slightest. A fun, impressive and memorable set, there is a reason why people have been saying they are walking out of these shows a huge fan of Daesung.
After a little delay, it was then time for Taeyang. Opening with ‘Bad’, he fulfilled the crowds request to take it off. With a leather trench coat and bare chest, there was an undeniable coolness that filled every second of his performance. Launching off the platform into the arms of his dancers, everything in his performance was incredible. His vocals, his dancing and the way he owned that stage. ‘Ringa Linga’ was up next and as the lights flamed red, his twenty years in the industry was on full display. Taeyang was born to be a superstar and that was obvious. After a chat to the crowd to get them loud and hyped, he then finished on his most recent solo single, ‘Live Fast, Die Slow’ and this time going down to the audience. He sang, he danced and interacted with fans, signing an album and just really embracing the love from the fans. Taeyang really is what they call in the industry a true-all rounder and it seems that he only seems to get better and better as the years go on.
If you look up aura in the dictionary, then the face of G-Dragon has to be what is staring back at you. There is a reason he is probably one of the most famous names in Asia and from the second his stage started, just from the backdrop alone, you could feel it. Reprising the Coachella remix of ‘Power’, the second he appeared onstage the crowd went ballistic. The way he commands a stage needs to be studied, even with the simplest movements, he draws your undivided attention. He did not mess around or waste anytime, from ‘Power’ he went to ‘Crayon’ and that just pushed up the energy even more. Swag, check, swag, check rang out through the entire 65,000 people and it just really turned into a party. By the time he went into his final song, ‘Crooked’ everybody was standing and singing their heart out. G-Dragon truly is one of the most accomplished and incredible performers and artists I have seen, not just in the pop music world, and this Halloween night he proved that yet again.
ACT III: COSMOS
I’m not even being hyperbolic when I say everybody in the world needs to witness ‘BANG, BANG, BANG‘ live at least once. It feels like a call to arms. The second that intro starts you feel everybody’s anticipation build and by the time it kicks in, everything just becomes unglued. Taking that into ‘Stupid Liar’ and then finishing that section with ‘Sober’, was where you could really see how much fun BIGBANG are having on this tour. Taeyang throwing himself to the ground, G-Dragon and Daesung laughing so hard they miss their cues and eventually G-Dragon dropping to floor to mimic Taeyang, it was beyond hilarious. They started chatting to the crowd again, leading into another comedy section where Daesung and Taeyang how close they were to stopping the show because of the storm. The banter was silly but fun, G-Dragon seemed just so thrown off in the best way by his bandmates ridiculousness. It just felt like watching old friends, catch up and for those who have been around from the early days, the glimpses of the same young boys who debuted in their teens were there. This was the right time to play ‘We Like 2 Party’.
With a little dance break from their long-time back-up dancers, it was time for ‘the end of the show’. Performing ‘BiiiG’ and ‘Home Sweet Home’, it was getting hard to really notice the difference in what was a classic BIGBANG track with the two new songs.
ENCORE
Opening the encore with ‘MY HEAVEN’ felt like one of the most emotional gut punches. The final songs weren’t the most notorious party songs (except for maybe ‘Last Farewell’) but they were songs full of emotion and almost hope. ‘Sunset Glow’ provided those good feelings, and of course ‘Feeling’ had that end of the night party feel. This was where they took the time to introduce everybody and thank the bad, their dancers and everybody who made this night possible. Australia was lucky, they haven’t performed ‘Flower Road’ at every stop, but we got that along with the emotional finale that was ‘Still Life’. A song that speaks on their journey together, where they also kept TOP‘s vocals in- you would be hard pressed to find a dry eye in the venue. Even as I type this the screen is getting blurry. Finishing with them on the platform, Daesung belting out those last ‘lalalala’s’, the three got on their knees and bowed deeply, showing the ultimate form of respect for those who were still here 20 years into their career.
For the casual and the curious, many were won over and saw why BIGBANG have this reputation in the industry. For diehards, we were rewarded for waiting. From an objective perspective this show was one of highest calibre concerts I have ever attended. The lighting, the pyro, the sound, the setlist- it was nothing short of spectacular. From the perspective of 16 year fan who had seen them before in 2012, it was everything I hoped for and more. Some people were critical of the talking sections, but for me, they showed that these three were just so happy to be there. Speaking in their third language, not relying on a translator like most K-Pop idols, they truly tried their hardest to connect with a stadium full of people.
This show was two things: it was a celebration of the 20 years that made BIGBANG who they are today.
It also felt like something else.
A start of a new chapter.
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