BI -HYPE UP - ZENITH DE PARIS - 06.10.2024

LE ZENITH DE PARIS

The Zénith, capable of delivering spectacular performances, was not fully utilized tonight. There were no screens, no set design, and only limited lighting effects (mostly red), which was rather disappointing in that regard. The lack of screens was particularly noticeable in moments when B.I. went into the crowd or ran through the stands, making it difficult to see what was happening. There were some smoke jets as effects, and that was it. In terms of sound, the venue is capable of excellence, and tonight it was of good quality. The bass was well-rendered, and the parts animated by DJ MILLENIUM added a good dynamic to the overall experience. Overall: a rather poor stage setup, relying almost solely on B.I's performance and charisma, which felt somewhat unworthy of a venue as prestigious as the Zénith.

INTRODUCTION

B.I has successfully transitioned to a solo career, as shown by his various world tours and festival appearances around the globe. This is the third time Paris has welcomed the young singer with an angelic face as a solo act, following a notable appearance at MIK Paris in 2023, his "LOVE OR DIE" tour in 2023 with over 15 dates, and now tonight, for his Paris stop at the Zénith de la Villette. One thing is certain—B.I. seems comfortable on stage. Surrounded by his crew and DJ, he quickly takes command of the stage, regardless of its size, performing his biggest hits at times at an almost frenetic pace, leaving little time to fully register the song changes! Indeed, the concert setlist is extensive—more than 32 songs (including the encore) were performed on stage, and sometimes things moved very fast. This gives the impression (perhaps falsely) that there isn’t a precise direction in the concert (no particular album, era, or genre is highlighted). Instead, everything is put out there to please everyone. And that’s what matters most.

For the lucky VIP ticket holders: a group photo, a Q&A session, and two songs in an intimate setting—all before the concert.

1RST PART

For almost 40 minutes, DJ MILLENIUM, also known as Choi Rae Sung, energizes and warms up the crowd before B.I.’s arrival. Mixing K-pop hits from RIIZE, NEWJEANS, and ILLIT, he transitions seamlessly into Charli XCX—all without missing a beat! Then it’s time to welcome the star of the evening. The first song to kick things off: Michelangelo (TO DIE FOR). Be I follows, and despite its age, remains one of the defining songs of his career. ONE AND ONLY, from his iKON days, feels like a tribute and fits perfectly in this opening segment of the setlist. With WATERFALL, he rouses the crowd even more, showing off his dancing skills (as if there was any doubt left about them). The first “MENT,” or speaking segment, follows, with Hanbin interacting with the audience. Initially a bit reserved, he grows more comfortable as time passes, greeting the thousands of French fans present tonight. Despite the rain outside, it’s incredibly warm inside the Zénith, and a few people in the standing area feel faint. Ever attentive, B.I. repeatedly asks everyone to be careful.

The concert continues with the gentle yet iconic illa illa, a perfect introduction to B.I. for anyone unfamiliar with him. Next comes Loved (Love or Loved Part.2), followed by Numb and 4 Letters (Love or Loved Part.2). Full of variety, it’s hard (unless you peek at spoilers!) to predict the next style or song on the setlist. After wandering through the stands and the crowd, B.I. returns to perform his 2022 hit BTBT (Love or Loved Part.1), with palpable synergy between him and the audience. Speaking of hits, Keep Me Up from the same album keeps the energy high.

B.I. stays close to his audience, often posing for photos and videos with IDs (the name of B.I.’s fans). He doesn’t hesitate to engage personally, walking into the crowd and moving through the stands, creating a strong feeling of connection and closeness with his fans.

2NDE PART

What’s a concert without something new? B.I surprises us with Girl, a delightful addition that fits perfectly with his usual style, and the audience is all in. This part wraps up with Got It Like That. No breaks—we keep going, and while the song order may seem puzzling, there’s no time to dwell on it! Next up is Remember Me, followed by Dare To Love and Nerd (both from the album TO DIE FOR). Some R&B, some quieter moments (relatively speaking), then B.I. pauses to announce his next song, Tasty, inviting the crowd to join in on the chorus. If you’re a fan of B.I’s rap, you’re in for a treat as he follows with TO DIE (from TO DIE FOR), TTM, and Flame (both also from TO DIE FOR), once again moving at a breakneck pace with no pauses.

Now comes a softer moment: Lover (TO DIE FOR), allowing him and the audience to catch their breath, with lighthearted chats about the lightsticks in the room and what it’s like to have once been (or still be?) an idol, perfectly leading into his song IDOL. Do My Dance and Freaky Boy are fresh tracks, but the crowd, fully committed to B.I, is already on board, eagerly wanting more. After another (long) MENT, where B.I shares some “Merci, je t’aime” (in French!), happy birthday wishes, and other fan conversations, we dive back into the music with NINETEEN (TO DIE FOR) and All Shook Up (Love or Loved Part.2). Die For Love (TO DIE FOR) gives him another chance to showcase his incredible, fluid dance moves.

Is it the end of the concert? B.I humbly thanks his crew and the audience... then jumps back in with Black Velvet and Wave (TO DIE FOR), perfectly rekindling the energy. But it’s still not over! Beautiful Life (from TO DIE FOR) fills the room—a beautiful song to wrap up… or so we think. Everyone leaves the stage.

ENCORE

Is it the end (?)… Well, no! Another false alarm, as the first notes of COSMOS (TO DIE FOR, indeed) ring out, and B.I proudly returns, wrapped in the blue, white, and red French flag. A traditional video with the audience is filmed for social media, and we think, "This must be the end!" But no! Everyone takes their places again, and BTBT echoes once more in the Zénith, followed by Tasty and Illusion for one last hurrah. Are we stopping here? Again, no! DJ MILLENIUM (RaeSung) takes over the stage with TRANSE, before giving way once more to the star of the night for an unforgettable moment for French fans. Completely uncertain of what’s next—a cover? a solo? a DJ mix?—we are treated instead to… a song in French! B.I. surprises us with Yves Montand's Les Feuilles Mortes, a perfect choice for the autumn weather outside. Thank you, B.I., for the thoughtful gesture and your lovely French!

After more than two hours of showtime, the concert finally comes to an end, as B.I., Shawn, Youngbeen, Gongjuboi, and DJ MILLENIUM leave the stage. The lights come up. It's over!

CONCLUSION

For B.I’s fans, seeing their idol on the beautiful, large stage of the Zénith is a treat: over two hours of concert, around thirty songs, playful moments on stage—a cherished memory until the next tour! For others, there may be some regret about the lack of scenography and artistic ambition. A screen adding some dynamism and color wouldn’t have been too much to ask. B.I carries the concert on his shoulders, doing everything possible to captivate the audience’s attention, and at times, the staging could have relieved some of that burden. But no matter. Putting the technical aspects aside, B.I remains a solid choice, with iconic songs blending different genres, making him a highly recommended act to see live for a whole new experience.