BLACKPINK’s YouTube livestream concert The Show left me awestruck

Global K-pop sensation BLACKPINK held their first livestream gig The Show over the weekend and it was an explosive performance, to say the least. 

The Show was huge on spectacle – with an amalgamation of state-of-the-art technology, spectacular stages and snazzy outfits, the production succeeded in making the audience feel like they were transported to BLACKPINK’s physical concert venue in Seoul. 

The four members – Jennie, Rosé, Lisa and Jisoo – opened their show with their powerful anthem, Kill this Love, against a stunning post-apocalyptic backdrop and brilliant LED lights. 

Performing their debut full-length album, The Album, BLACKPINK took the stage by storm with their record-breaking bangers, such as Lovesick Girls, How You Like That and Pretty Savage. 

For the first time as well, the quartet performed on stage their non-title sassy numbers Crazy Over You, Love to Hate Me, as well as the emotional You Never Know. The band’s versatility shone through their effortless transition between dance numbers that highlighted their energetic choreography and sentimental ballads which exhibited their soulful vocals. 

Most notably, BLACKPINK’s dynamic rendition of popular hit DDU-DU DDU-DU had me at the edge of my seat with its captivating and cinematic stage that saw the swagger foursome set the stage aflame, literally, with fire. Their performance reached an electrifying peak where they, together with their dance crew, danced on water. 

BLACKPINK, known to consist of well-rounded members, also prepared incredible solo stages that allowed each individual member to shine.

In a flowy, violet dress, Jisoo kicked off their series of solo performances with a stripped-back cover of Tove Lo’s Habits (Stay High) which she wrote her own Korean lyrics to, while Lisa dazzled the stage with her retro spin on Doja Cat’s hit Say So.

Jennie solidified her position as main rapper of the band by penning new rap lyrics for her 2018 solo single Solo, which drove the virtual crowd wild, judging by the number of tweets on her performance.

Lead vocalist Rosé also gave Blinks a tantalising taste of her upcoming digital single by premiering a part of the unreleased music video. Titled GONE, Rosé filled the venue with her crooning vocals as she completed the rest of her doleful, heartbreak record live.

Throughout The Show‘s interludes, BLACKPINK demonstrated their sincere gratitude to their Blinks for their unwavering support through short pre-recorded snippets where they reminisced their trainee days and the bond they have built over the years with their fans. 

“Watching our concert, I hope you get the feeling we’re all together,” Rosé told the audience before performing their finale song Forever Young. 

While I wished that the virtual concert could have lasted a little longer than its 90 minutes run, BLACKPINK’s set proved to be a resounding success. According to YouTube, The Show garnered up to 280,000 viewers all across the world on its concert day. This number is equivalent to almost five stadium performances that could accommodate more than 50,000 people. 

With BLACKPINK’s victorious first breakthrough into digital concerts with collaborating platform YouTube, it undoubtedly sets the stage for future virtual livestream performances by other K-pop acts. I am thrilled to see what new stages the industry might have in store in their upcoming virtual concert endeavours. 

BLACKPINK’s THE SHOW is the first of YG Entertainment’s YG PALM STAGE series, which explores a new form of livestream concert in partnership with YouTube Music.