The Recap: ATEEZ Storm Citi Field
Sunday night in New York is rainy, and fans are huddled in masses under Citi Field’s large awning — oh, wait, sorry. That was last year’s show.
This year, skies are blue and the sun is shining on fans, glinting off of their bejewelled cowboy hats highlighting a sea of black and gold, compass-inspired lightsticks. Despite it being ATEEZ’s second stop at Citi Field in less than a year, fans (called Atiny) are still palpably excited.
ATEEZ — composed of members Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho — are real rising stars in the K-pop scene. Known for their explosive stage presence and signature bombastic sound, they have grown exponentially since their 2018 debut.
For context, their first ever show in the U.S. was in Brooklyn’s Warsaw: a 1,000-capacity club venue more often used for the kind of niche alternative acts that fit its Williamsburg neighborhood. To see ATEEZ come from there, to the roaring tens of thousands of fans at Citi Field in five short years is exciting.
On stage, it’s clear why they have skyrocketed in popularity. Pop singers are performers, but so few do it with the undeniable passion the ATEEZ do. Each member has a distinct personality, yet they all meld together into a tight, cohesive unit where no one is overly highlighted or overshadowed.
At this point in their careers, ATEEZ perform like a well-oiled machine, and watching their concert feels like something special. Like watching a master paint, there’s a tangible feeling in the air that we’re all being privy to an iconic act at their very best.
Energy Levels
If Citi Field wasn’t already an outdoor baseball stadium, the energy from the concert probably would have blown the roof off. Or at least caused some structural damage.
ATEEZ are frequent flyers to the U.S., having had at least one performance on American soil every year since 2022. The excitement from fans isn’t born of a lack of seeing them; it’s genuine passion for a group of truly exciting performers.
As planes flew overhead from nearby LaGuardia Airport, you couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor passengers inside. Yes, they may be off to exotic vacations or romantic getaways (or like, Cincinnati), but they could only see the flashing lights below and had no idea the fun they were missing out on.
Standout Performances
Bouncy (K-HOT CHILI PEPPERS): some artists have intro songs that build hype for their concerts, rising in energy as the show carries on. Not ATEEZ, who came out of the gate swinging (bouncing?) with 2023’s “BOUNCY,” a lively, commanding track that hits you like 8000 kilojoules of pure energy straight to the face. Were you wearing a hat? Better ask the person behind you for it back, because this song blew it straight off your head.
Slide to Me/Skin/Legacy/Sagittarius/To be your light/Creep/NO1/ROAR: Look. I would love nothing more than to wax poetic about each member’s solo, but I don’t think you have the ten years it would take to read it all. So let me say: the way ATEEZ approached weaving unique solo stages into their full set, allowing each member to showcase their personal skills and color, without stopping the momentum of the show, is impressive. The slinky and sensual, like Yunho’s groovy “Slide to Me” and Seonghwa’s bass-heavy “Skin” are paired back to back, as are Hongjoong’s nightclub banger “NO1” and Mingi’s high octane “ROAR,” allowing the crowd’s energy to build. Vocal-heavy and emotive “Sagittarius” by Wooyoung and “To be your light” by Jongho are also consecutive, creating a moodier bridge in the set from their louder tracks to their more toned down ones. Yeosang’s anthemic “Legacy” slots in neatly between “WE KNOW” and “Guerilla,” where San’s slick rock track “Creep” has its moment between the sonically similar “Shaboom” and “Outlaw.”
They’re not the first group to take time to introduce solo sets, but they integrate the stages naturally instead of introducing a block of solo performances. They’re interwoven between group stages, in a sequence that clearly took a lot of care. It’s the kind of deliberate decision that highlights ATEEZ as artists, who are dedicated to providing a holistic experience to fans and not just a run through of their latest album.
Guerilla: The song says “we’re gonna make it loud” and oh boy, did they. I’m old now (twenty nine), and I need earplugs to go to concerts. But the second “Guerilla” started, I very well might not have even had them in. The ones I use are professional quality, meant to protect my ears when I’m standing right in front of the speakers as a photographer, but with how clearly I could hear every syllable of the song, I could have been using cotton candy and dreams. From the stage, from the crowd below me, around me, and above me, everyone was in perfect unison (Atiny, have you considered starting a fan choir?). I’m pretty sure if I close my eyes and focus, I can still hear the faint echo of “BREAK THE WALL” reverberating through my eardrums.
In Your Fantasy: ATEEZ’s latest releases have gone down a smoother road than some of their early work, with hits like “Ice on My Teeth” and “Lemon Drop” having sultrier R&B influences than their more raucous songs. “In Your Fantasy” is the culmination of this growth: a slick and downright sexy track with an alluring falsetto, complemented by low-toned, gravelly verses. Although different from most of the other group performances, its downright confidence is still undeniably ATEEZ. The members treat it with the same dedication they do their bolder songs, so the slower pace doesn’t feel off kilter in between songs like “Fireworks (I’m The One)” and “Shaboom.”
High Notes
ATEEZ are a different caliber of performer, but even they couldn’t hold a candle to their own fans. From up in the 300 section, I could hear fans louder than the group members themselves through almost every song.
At one point, the group had to take a brief pause because, as Hongjoong put it, “Atiny was so insane,” the speakers actually blew out.
It’s always enjoyable to see a concert when the performer is so obviously loved and adored by their fans, and this was absolutely one of those concerts. As energetic as the group was on stage, the fans were twice that. It’s not uncommon to hear fans joke about outsinging their faves on social media, but I think Atiny might have actually done it this time.
K-pop, and pop music in general, rely a lot on parasocial bonds and fans’ desires to feel close to their favorite artists. Groups allow curated access to them, through soundchecks and send offs, extended stages and carts, and audience interactions. But the longer the show goes on, the clearer it becomes that ATEEZ, and their fans, are in it for the music. And it’s something really refreshing to experience.
ATEEZ’s distinct genre of music might not be for everyone, it’s very clearly found its home with Atiny.
For Fans Of
Herbal tea.
The taste may be stringent and medicinal, but after screaming your throat raw trying to match Jongho’s belting high notes, Mingi’s growling rap verses, or just trying to outsing your neighbor, the soothing qualities are going to be needed. Better add some honey, too.
Verdict
ATEEZ are proof that you don’t need to spend a million dollars on the Fan Plus VIP Soundcheck Send Off Polaroid Package to have a good time at a concert. In a fan culture increasingly focusing on interactions and viral concert videos, ATEEZ provide a reassurance that even from the nosebleeds, you’ll have a good time. Charismatic, energetic performers from up close or from the rafters, this tour is sure to provide a memorable evening for all fans: the dedicated, the passive, or the recently converted.
ATEEZ’s 2025 World Tour [In Your Fantasy] continues in the U.S. through July and August. For updates from their tour, keep up with them on Instagram and YouTube.
Looking for more Concert Recaps? Check out our review of Xikers here.
