Las Vegas is Now the 'BTS Special City'

by Kim Heeyun

Published 11 Apr.2022 01:32(KST)

Updated 11 Apr.2022 13:15(KST)

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US Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium 'Full House'
Chorus and Cheers Allowed, Heated Concert Atmosphere... Third Stage Since Pandemic

[Las Vegas (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "It seems the saying that when BTS and ARMY meet, even the desert turns into the sea is true." (J-Hope)

On the 9th (local time), 50,000 ARMYs (BTS fandom) from around the world gathered at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, USA, cheering for BTS without masks.

On stage, BTS delivered a passionate performance, promising ARMY the best night. Although the temperature in Las Vegas exceeded 28 degrees that day, the purple heat filling the venue shone even hotter.

BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS. Photo by HYBE

BTS held the third performance of 'Permission to Dance On Stage' in Las Vegas, the 'city that never sleeps for 24 hours.' Over four days?May 8-9 and 15-16?50,000 ARMYs per day, totaling 200,000 fans from around the world, gathered in Las Vegas to meet BTS.

What sets this Las Vegas concert apart from last year's LA concert and last month's Seoul concert is that it marks a move away from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At previous concerts, fans, following quarantine guidelines, had to soothe their disappointment with clappers and ARMY bombs (BTS's official light sticks) instead of cheers. However, at the Las Vegas concert, with no mask-wearing or cheering restrictions, fans unleashed unreserved cheers and applause.

BTS. Photo by HYBE

The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with a capacity of 65,000 seats, was fully packed with 50,000 spectators excluding the stage area. BTS kicked off the show spectacularly with the title track 'ON' from their fourth studio album.

Audience members in the floor seats stood up and cheered from the first song. During the next song, 'Fire,' the entire audience stood up, opening the show with a standing performance.

In a venue where cheering and group singing were allowed, fans' voices, which had been suppressed for a long time, continued endlessly. When BTS sang 'Jjeoreo,' even foreign fans sang along fluently in Korean, and during 'Fake Love,' 50,000 spectators shouted 'Fake Love' in unison.

Jin_BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS. Photo by HYBE

The BTS members, delighted by the long-awaited cheers and group singing from fans, continuously smiled and joked.

Before the concert, in a meeting with reporters, leader RM said, "Las Vegas has a symbolic sentiment. It’s like an amusement park where you can play, forget everything, and throw it all away. I hope everyone feels good after watching our performance. We will also perform stylishly with a tension that suits Las Vegas."

True to that promise, BTS and ARMY created a space more exciting than an amusement park with feelings like riding a roller coaster and continuous cheers during the 2 hours and 30 minutes of the concert.

Jungkook_BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS. Photo by HYBE

In the latter part of the concert, BTS consecutively performed 'Anpanman' and 'Go Go.' Afterwards, dancing together with ARMY, they concluded their second Las Vegas performance successfully with 'Permission to Dance' as the final encore song.

This Las Vegas concert is the official first performance of 'The City' project, which connects the city and the concert to offer a variety of experiences.

Through a partnership with the global hotel group MGM Resorts Group, 'The City' project held in Las Vegas, a city with well-established infrastructure, demonstrated that BTS is an influential artist who can transform a city and lead new economic effects.

V_BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS. Photo by HYBE

On the other hand, the disappointment at the Grammy Awards on the 4th left some regrets regarding BTS's evaluation in the American music industry.

Jimin expressed, "It was really disappointing. As a Korean, I was curious about how far our music could reach, and I thought about whether it would be a great reward to ARMYs who have supported us a lot. I really wanted to win."

V also shared his regret with a joke, saying, "It was clean. We acknowledged it too. But still, tears came."

SUGA_BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS. Photo by HYBE

J-Hope said, "When other artists' names were called, while clapping, I clearly thought that we really wanted to receive this award."

Meanwhile, BTS will return to Las Vegas to attend the Billboard Music Awards held on May 15. According to the list of nominees announced by the Billboard Music Awards this year, BTS is nominated in six categories, including Top Duo/Group and Top Song Sales Artist. Following their four wins last year, BTS aims to challenge new records this year as well.