2024 xikers WORLD TOURTRICKY HOUSE FIRST ENCOUNTER IN EUROPE PARIS ELYSEE MONTMARTRE - 10.02.2024
PROMOTIONAL TOUR INFO
The super K-pop group XIKERS is coming to Paris to meet their fans as part of their very first European tour, the 2024 XIKERS WORLD TOUR TRICKY HOUSE: FIRST ENCOUNTER IN EUROPE, on February 10th at Élysée Montmartre. The 10-member group from KQ Entertainment exploded onto the global K-pop scene after their debut on March 30, 2023, with their first EP, 'HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing.' Quickly dubbed as 'monster rookies,' the group achieved a series of successes with their debut EP, notably topping the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart, securing the fourth spot on the Billboard World Albums Chart, and reaching the seventy-fifth position on the Billboard 200 Chart. Having garnered worldwide attention with their versatile musical sound and powerful dance performances, XIKERS are ready to export their explosive show to cities across Europe.
L'ELYSEE MONTMARTRE
"Less commonly seen in K-Pop (KANGDANIEL in 2023). The Élysée Montmartre venue is uniform and quite large. Its acoustics are not the best, and tonight was no exception, with average sound quality, occasionally saturating either in the highs or the bass. There were no confetti or gimmicks. The lighting effects were kept to a minimum (monochrome: red for TRICKY HOUSE, for example), with hardly any use of the large white screen on stage, giving an empty and lackluster feel to the performance. Everything relied on the group's energy, but some more sophisticated videos and lighting effects would have added another dimension to the performances of the 9 boys."
1RT PART
The xikers' fans, known as 'road𝓨'', sometimes waited overnight (which we advise against due to safety and hygiene concerns) just to catch a glimpse of their idols at the final date of the European leg of their world tour. Having already made a stop in Europe for KPOP LUX in Madrid last July (see our article), the youthful members of KQ Entertainment are keeping up the momentum with their overflowing enthusiasm.
With two mini-albums under their belt and a concert advertised for 1 hour and 30 minutes, what would xikers bring to the table?
Saturday night, 7:30 PM, the crowd had been singing and stomping their feet for over an hour in the venue. After an enthusiastic VCR played on the big screen, the xikers, consisting tonight of Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Seeun, Yujun, Hunter, and Yechan (with Junghoon on hiatus), finally stepped onto the stage right on time, walking in single file towards the audience. They halted, looked at the fans, and took their positions. And so begins TRICKY HOUSE from their album 'HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing,' the very first mini-album of the group, where it all began! The group exudes a lot of energy, delivering a physically demanding performance. Still from the same album, they continue with 'Doorbell Ringing.' It's getting quite warm, and naturally, it's time for the first "MENT" where the group takes turns introducing themselves, hydrating, and engaging with the Parisian audience for the first time. It's time for 'Oh My Gosh,' in a predominantly red-lit atmosphere where the group jumps, sings, and moves energetically on stage. They switch to the EP 'HOUSE OF TRICKY: How To Play' and perform 'Koong,' before returning to 'HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing' with 'XIKEY.' The performances pause to make way for a 5-minute break, during which the MV of 'RUN' plays on the big screen, in a version specially created for the world tour.
2ND PART
"Hello road𝓨 are your ready to dance together ?"
After a quick change of outfits featuring colorful pink accents and a sublime French T-shirt, the group dives into the second part dedicated to covers. The 'cover' section kicks off with a rendition of Chris Brown's 'Iffy,' a song the group had been performing since their 'rookie' days as KQ Fellaz! After a brief moment playing Motus, all members pick a colored ball to determine the next covers. Each segment of a few tens of seconds ignites the audience, and it's safe to say the selection was top-notch.
For the boys: 'Dynamite' by BTS, 'Cherry Bomb' by NCT127, 'Super' by SEVENTEEN, 'BOUNCY' by the older brothers ATEEZ.
For the girls: 'Kill This Love' by BLACKPINK, 'Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard's Wife' by LE SSERAFIM, 'Hype Boy' by NEWJEANS, and 'Queencard' by (G)i-DLE! We approve of the selection!
Just when we thought it was over, there's one last cover awaiting us: 'Die for You' by The Weeknd, danced by Junmin & Hunter.
After these dynamic performances, the group settles in for another 'ment,' the second of the evening, and certainly not the last! 'Die for You' was an incredible performance. Very attentive to the well-being of the audience, the members repeatedly remind fans to step back and be careful to avoid the numerous faintings that have occurred at their concerts. There are long exchanges, wide smiles, and plenty of 'popopopo,' a very French expression, before the group launches into one last round of performances with 'SKATER'! The atmosphere is electric in the crowd, then it calms down as xikers announce that the concert is coming to an end. Of course, as soon as the first notes of 'DO or DIE' hit, the venue erupts. With pounding bass, the song takes on another dimension!
Our roadies are the best and always think of others!
The concert hall is brimming with energy.
"Our first 'encounter' is coming to an end, roadies, I hope you're having fun!"
"Your encouragement gives us strength."
"We are happy to be here."
"It's our first encounter, but we will have many more in the future, right?"
ENCORE
The traditional photo session gives way to a real encore: Three songs will be performed on stage, and not just any songs, as the road𝓨 eagerly await 'ROCKSTAR'! the double single from their debut (alongside 'TRICKY HOUSE'). But first, it's a new VCR that officially kicks off this ENCORE, followed by 'Sunny Side' from 'HOUSE OF TRICKY: How To Play'. The fourth and final MENT involves exchanges with the French audience, followed by the double performance: 'HOMEBOY' and 'ROCKSTAR' unleash the crowd in one last show of strength. Clad in tour t-shirts, the group members are happy and beaming with smiles! 1 hour and 30 minutes of intense energy!
CONCLUSION
There are some groups that take their time to tour, and then there are others who, barely a year since their debut, are already hitting the road! It's refreshing to see 'rookies' stepping up to deliver a great show. With a clever mix of meetings, polished performances, and covers, this hour and a half concert was neither too short nor too long. Especially when considering the 'VIP' factor with the bonuses awaiting the lucky ones and the group afterward. The organization was well-balanced, just like the setlist. The only drawback was the very limited technical aspect, which could have added a new dimension to the songs and performances. xikers have a bright future ahead of them and a well-established fanbase. Looking forward to the next tour!
Thank to MyMusicTaste for the accreditation and their trust.
And a big thank you to xikers for this performance. Stay tuned for MMT's tours and news on their website.
Encore picture, poster picture: KQ Entertainment + MyMusicTaste
Photos concert : K-Pop Concert Team