TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Spectacular Debut in the UK: The O2 Experience

TOMORROW X TOGETHER often refer to themselves as the rock stars of K-pop. Tonight at The O2, they spend nearly three hours proving it.

This is the group’s first-ever performance in the UK. With K-pop’s growing popularity, it’s surprising that it hasn’t happened sooner. The tour, titled ‘ACT: PROMISE’, supports their latest EP ‘The Star Chapter: Sanctuary’, echoing themes of love and connection in their sweet set of songs.

They kick off with ‘Over The Moon’, but quickly transition to their iconic rock-inspired sound. The members express their love for England, home to some of their idol rock bands, ensuring that the rock vibes are here for the long haul. The drama of last year’s ‘Deja Vu’ is intensified with heavy guitar riffs. ‘0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)’ transforms into an arena-ready anthem that electrifies the audience.

Since their debut in 2019, TOMORROW X TOGETHER has released a massive discography, exploring their coming-of-age stories with a fantastical twist. Pop punk serves as the backbone for expressing their early-twenties frustrations, evidenced in tracks like ‘LO$ER=LOVER’ that takes the crowd into a wild singalong.

• Emotional Highs: Songs like ‘Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go’ and ‘Quarter Life’ add to the emotional rollercoaster of the evening.
• Heavy Moments: ‘Growing Pain’ boasts nu-metal vibes with powerful guitars, showcasing their versatility.

On a playful note, moments of comedy arise – from baseball bats on stage to unexpected antics, including baby of the group HUENINGKAI’s drum solo kickstarting ‘Good Boy Gone Bad’. But the show takes a serious turn when eldest member YEONJUN accidentally injures himself with the mic, adding real drama to this live event.

Of course, no K-pop performance is complete without a sultry segment. SOOBIN and YEONJUN heat things up with ‘The Killa (I Belong To You)’, triggering screams with their dance moves. TAEHYUN continues the energy with a captivating solo dance during ‘Danger’, maintaining the steamy atmosphere.

Although ballads are limited, the only exception is ‘Anti-Romantic’, signaling a more mature sound as they move beyond their earlier teen angst. The omission of hits like ‘CROWN’ leaves a bit of nostalgia, yet they decisively choose more serious themes that showcase their evolution as artists.

They conclude the spectacular night with ‘I’ll See You There Tomorrow’, cherishing their London fans. The track features catchy elements of British dance music, hinting at a bright future – and hopefully less than six years until we see them again!