01.07.2023 : 2023 iKON WORLD TOUR TAKE OFF : PARIS 

Let's the show begin !

 The third and final date of the European leg (after Florence and Essen) of their world tour that started in Asia in Taipei last May. According to fans on social media, iKON delivered an amazing concert. Similar expectations were set for the Parisian audience with their unique energy! Fans had prepared banners and projects to thank and support the group. Depending on the type of ticket, VIP attendees could enter first and participate in the group's send-off. Finally, at 8 p.m., the concert began! A stunning pre-recorded VCR featuring the six boys played on the main screen and the two adjacent screens, and the crowd went wild! "Tantara (TAKE OFF)" resonated throughout the venue! Here they are, BOBBY, JAY, DK, JU-NE, CHAN, and SONG, taking the stage and wasting no time showcasing their skills as both dancers and singers/rappers! The energy in the room soared as the crowd chanted "iKON iKON!" Without further ado, they performed "Sinosijak (WELCOME BACK)" and "열중쉬어 (At ease - Flashback)", followed by "DRAGON" (still from the album "FLASHBACK"). These songs are known for their dynamism and impressive rap sections! BOBBY gave his all, and it was truly enjoyable to watch. The lighsticks moved with frenzy, and the group commanded the entire stage—the concert had only just begun! After this eventful introduction, a new VCR played. The boys returned to the stage for one of their iconic songs: "죽겠다 (KILLING ME - NEW KID)." The audience sang along in unison, "죽겠다"! Next up was "Rhythm Ta," reminding everyone that this 2015 hit never gets old! We still remember the music video where the boys wore American basketball jerseys and caps, repeating the chorus at the top of their lungs. Another notable track followed: "BLINGBLING!" (NEW KID). As soon as the first notes played, the audience was ready to shout, "bling bling"! We then transitioned to a lower-key yet energetic track, the famous "사랑을 했다 (LOVE SCENARIO)" from the album "Return," telling a story of a concluded love. The audience couldn't help but accompany the group, singing the chorus as they had been doing throughout the concert. Jumping ahead to 2022, they performed "너라는 이유 (BUT YOU)" from the album "FLASHBACK," a calmer piece that flowed seamlessly from "LOVE SCENARIO." They continued with their most recent release, "U," which came out in May 2023—a perfectly crafted summer track. "Only for you, only for you"!

2ND PART

The first part of the concert, consisting of group songs, comes to an end, and we move on to the second part, which showcases solo performances! There was a small disappointment as JAY didn't perform his solo single "Paradise," which he released a few days earlier. However, due to logistical and organizational reasons, it was completely understandable. Instead, he treated us to a beautiful cover of Rihanna's "Love on the Brain," a moment of pure sweetness. The "sexy" performance of the evening came from DK with "Kiss Me (TAKE OFF)." Against a red backdrop and equally vibrant lights, DK raised the temperature, and the fans loved it. Jacket throws, unbuttoning, and provocative gazes, the performance delighted the iKONICS. Ju-ne took the stage with his guitar and delivered a great performance of "Want You Back (TAKE OFF)." Focused and talented, the aspiring actor showcased his guitar skills! The next song brought a collective burst of excitement and a breath of fresh air with SONG and his track "Fighting - 아이콘 송 으라차차 가사" from "TAKE OFF." This song, a perfect example of the beloved trot genre in Korea, won over the crowd! With his glittery outfit and typical expressions, SONG managed to energize the audience throughout the three minutes of the song. "Cha cha cha!" We were expecting solos from BOBBY and CHAN, but instead, a VCR played on screen!

3EME PART

We resume the group performances with three slower songs that allow us to fully appreciate each member's vocals: "왜왜왜 (Why Why Why)," "아이콘 영화처럼 가사 (Like a Movie)" (TAKE OFF), and "이별길 (Goodbye Road)" (THE NEW KID album). These three ballad-like songs, with their emphasis on vocal effects and harmonies between the members, are very pleasant and don't break the rhythm. Each member, with their charisma, knows how to showcase their singing abilities during these delicate songs. The energy picks up again when the six boys perform one of their early songs, "왜 또 (What's Wrong?)" from the album "WELCOME BACK." This track brings back a sense of nostalgia! That feeling remains when we hear BOBBY's famous "PARTY PEOPLE" on "덤앤더머 (Dumb & Dumber)," also from the "WELCOME BACK" album! This song is perfect for dancing, shouting, and singing, and the crowd reacts instantly! "Let's get dumb dumb, dumb dumb dumb." The bass at the Zenith, the lighting effects, the group's energy—a perfect mix for a perfect concert song. "NEW KID" is filled with hidden gems, and this album brings us "벌떼 (B-DAY)" where the boys jump on stage like never before! It's then time for "Baram/Freedom," which may not be a single per se but is a B-side from "THE NEW KID." However, the audience knows it by heart and accompanies the group with "baram baram!" It is with this song, and the group running from right to left on stage, that the concert concludes, nearly two hours of a show where the group performed their most beautiful and eclectic discography, showcasing both quality and variety.

ENCORE

A concert isn't a true concert without an ENCORE! And iKON redefined the concept tonight! Over 40 minutes of encore, seven songs, they gave it their all on stage and in the crowd! After screaming at the top of their lungs to raise the sliders displayed on the Zenith's giant screen, the boys returned, accompanied by a camera to capture this unique moment, to the sound of "Driving Slowly!" There was a brief pause where the boys interacted with the crowd. It was their first time in France, and they expressed their happiness, calling the audience "beautiful" and thanking them for the incredible atmosphere and warmth in Paris. They promised to do their best to return to Paris soon, saying, "We will come back to Paris!" They mentioned that they would be returning to Korea the next day but that they would miss the fans so much. Sometimes they exchanged words in Korean with a translator, but often they spoke in impeccable English. "Thank you for your energy tonight!" These words touched the fans' hearts. The concert wasn't over, far from it! Jin Entertainment had prepared a touching video of fans expressing their admiration for iKON, which made JAY cry and made BOBBY try to cheer him up, resulting in a beautiful moment of camaraderie. iKON didn't want to leave Paris, so they started another round with "B-DAY," "Rhythm Ta," "LOVE SCENARIO," "BLING BLING," "Dumb & Dumber," and finally "Tantara!" The audience couldn't believe their eyes as the group performed these songs once again, with incredible energy and enthusiasm. Each member experienced the ENCORE in their own way—sometimes playful, sometimes wild—but all delivered a concert of great quality. After 2 hours and 40 minutes, the concert came to an end, and it was time to move on to the send-off for the lucky VIP ticket holders.

SETLIST