K-Pop unit NCT 127 celebrated their 100th concert together during their third show at the Prudential Center on March 2.
A subunit of K-Pop supergroup NCT, NCT 127 officially debuted in July of 2016. Composed of eight members, 127 is one of six sections that branch off of the umbrella that is NCT and the first with a fixed set of members. Making major waves with their 2017 album Cherry Bomb, the unit has existed in the mainstream consistently since- domestically in Korea and abroad.
Having performed at the Prudential Center twice prior, the group’s latest world tour ‘Neo City: The Momentum’ brought them back to the Metropolitan area for a third time- and, most notably, to celebrate their 100th concert as a group since debut, a novel moment which created a beautiful thread of nostalgia and celebration that was felt across the arena throughout the evening.
While this most recent tour is marked with the saddening yet understandable absence of members Taeyong and Jaehyun as the pair complete their mandatory service with the South Korean military, members and NCTzens (the official name of the fanbase) alike ensured their presences were felt all the same with posters, pickets, and voice clips alike.
Beginning the evening with an unforgettable image, 127 emerged first as backlit silhouettes and then as imposing figures during “Gas,” a track perfectly tailored to begin a show with its perpetually growing energy. Keeping with the automotive theme, the members descended their platforms and landed on the main stage with “Faster” and quickly began to approach the audience as they strutted down the extended stage during “Bring the Noize.”
Unshockingly, 127 delivered just as the title implied- the excitement of the audience was palpable, almost parallel to the sheer sound and presence the members emanated. The group responded in kind, returning the fervor of the crowd with an incredibly fun performance of “2 Baddies.” Known for its unconventional production and powerful impression, it’s a song that’s even more fun when experienced with an arena full of people shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs.
With the show properly underway and the electric energy established, a quick video divided the first four tracks from the group’s similarly thrilling “Skyscraper” and “Chain” which then led into the first of many tone shifts for the evening, the audience’s lightsticks glowing a vibrant tangerine orange.
Tucked in the more conventionally corner of their sound is “Designer,” a style 127 also executes flawlessly. “Designer” led directly into the elegantly funky “Orange Seoul” complete with incredibly rich horns, gorgeous accompanying visuals, and handheld streamers the members excitedly threw towards the audience as they reached the final chorus.
As cheers subsided, the audience’s lightsticks flashed once, twice, and then three times in time with a kick drum… and the audience went wild. “TOUCH” had begun. The members playfully roamed the stage before finding each other to form a circle each time the chorus came around to dance. The final chorus began with a bright shower of golden streamers, making an already lovely moment- as “TOUCH” was my first impression of the group upon its release in 2018- even more beautiful.
With another quick VCR allowing the members a chance to catch their breaths, the sonic momentum pushed onwards fearlessly. “No Clue,” “Pricey,” “Regular,” and “Sticker,” certainly all hold their own distinct personalities and sounds, but one thing can be said about all four songs and their careful placement next to one another in The Momentum Tour’s setlist- if you’re not out of your seat and dancing already, it’s guaranteed to happen within those 13–odd minutes.
With the tone properly set and bar impressively high from the get-go, 127 took the opportunity to properly greet the audience and chat about what’s to come in the setlist ahead along with the exciting significance of the once-in-a-lifetime moment each person in the arena was sharing- their 100th show as a group. Recalling their first performances at Prudential Center and in the States at large, the indescribable feeling that something special was practically tangible.
The thread of nostalgia continued as the group meandered back to the main stage, Mark reminiscing on their now inner-fanbase cult classic performance held in Williamsburg’s Apple store back in 2017, surprising a small audience of fans with a performance of the title track off of their latest mini album, Cherry Bomb.
The simultaneous mention of Cherry Bomb and something unique to New York brought the audience into a fervor, which practically doubled in enthusiasm as he went on to say, “If you guys like that album, you’ll probably like our next stage.” And, lo and behold, a stunning fan-favorite performance of “Whiplash” followed.
A somehow seamless shift in energy to the effortlessly suave and personal favorite “Rain Drop” closed the set out, all of the debonair attitude of a 1920s noir detective contained within the members’ full-length overcoats and the equal parts beautifully fluid and incredibly intentional choreography. Following a black-out and a clap of thunder, umbrellas materialized in their hands, and 127 closed out the song with a slow walk to the end of the extended stage.
Performances of the more vocal-heavy “Can’t Help Myself,” “Gold Dust,” and “No Longer” followed. “Gold Dust” concluded with the usage of the two large disco balls placed on either side of the extended stage, which quickly became the visual centerpieces. Objects usually associated with the fun and glitz of dance instead were repurposed for their gentler light refracting abilities, creating an ethereal radial glow as two pin-prick spot lights beaming down upon them became the only sources of light throughout the venue.
The gentle vocals utilized in “Gold Dust” only expanded upon themselves in “No Longer,” falsettos and belted lines emphasizing 127’s ability and willingness to fully embody any sound they approach, heartbroken ballads included.
Despite not being familiar with the translation of what I now know to be a heart wrenching one-sided confession, “No Longer” cut deep. I’m not embarrassed to say that the guttural emotion in their voices over floating piano notes made me misty eyed. The track is a lovely listen when contained to a pair of headphones, but it is felt live.
A very intentionally placed VCR in between the emotional punch of “No Longer” and the sonic punch of what is to come featured the members picking the locks of safes, plotting schemes, and planting explosives in what could only be described as a red-and-black vigilante aesthetic- which meant the most intense performances were yet to begin.
127 began with a battle cry with “Far,” members staggered on raised platforms as they delivered their verses from staggered platforms clad in leather jackets studded to the gods. Complete with pyrotechnics and a crescendoing pre-chorus, the track concluded with the iconically distorted and gritty “puku-puku-pow-pow” bass of “Kick It.”
Featuring even more flames, even more energy, and an exhilarating dance break that channels iconic Bruce Lee fight scenes, the energy in the arena felt as though it had nearly reached its peak. That is, until “Fact Check” began. With the audience fully on their feet once more, the group leaned into the excitement even further.
It would be remiss of me to not note how enthusiastically the members reciprocate the energy created by the fans throughout the arena- and with “Fact Check,” Yuta glowed, or rather burned. It’s not difficult to say that he completely embodied the track with the way his voice gained a grit that kept you there, unable to look away yet unable to stop dancing.
As the electric energy in the room began to decrescendo, so did the evening. The audience did their best to pretend an encore stage wasn’t in their future and preoccupied themselves with chanting “NCT!” and sending waves around the venue in a sea of green lightsticks. The VCR screens turned on once more, but this time NCTzen were the stars! Signs, flags, and other handmade creations got their chance to shine on the big screen, featuring phrases like “Haechan is my sun,” “Jungwoo #1 Snoopy Look Alike,” and “Moms for Mark” among several others.
The stars of the night were certainly miniature cardboard cutouts of Taeyong and Jaehyun clad in their military uniforms and a hand-drawn illustration of Mark as Spiderman, the former taken care of by the members for the remainder of the show and the latter the recipient of many compliments from in the audience and on the stage upon the members’ inevitable return.
Now truly in the beginning of the conclusion, the powerful “Intro: Wall to Wall” ushered in the group’s utterly cool latest title track, “Walk.” The indicative credits scene-esque “Meaning of Love” from the same album followed, a set of playful yet slightly more mellow tracks rounding out the evening.
As NCT 127 prepared to say their goodbyes prior to the final final song with a routine photo posed in front of the audience, the screens flashed on once more with a lovingly curated montage of their concerts over the years as a staff member rolled out a cake with festive candles that spelled out “100” atop the frosting- both complete surprises to the group. Celebrating together, the six members on stage (as well as Taeyong and Jaehyun in miniature cardboard form,) circled around the cake in a heartwarming moment that only added to the sentimental mood in the arena.
In conversation with their 100th show, the members spent their final ments discussing what the milestone means to them. Johnny extended his thanks to the audience for helping him to accomplish his dreams, explaining, “I feel like sometimes words can’t express how thankful someone can be, but I feel like sometimes when we’re in one place together you guys get that feeling, and I hope you guys do. So, thank you for being here together for this special moment with us.”
Smiles on everyone’s faces, the group spread out along the stage to wave at each and every section as they performed “Promise You,” showered in confetti and the love of each and every NCTzen in the arena as their third return to Newark and 100th concert ever came to a perfect end.
Setlist: Gas / Faster / Bring the Noize / 2 Baddies / Skyscraper / Chain (Korean Ver.) / Designer / Orange Seoul / TOUCH / No Clue / Pricey / Regular (English Ver.) / Sticker / Whiplash / Lemonade / Rain Drop / Can’t Help Myself / Gold Dust / No Longer / Far / Kick It / Fact Check / Intro: Wall to Wall / Walk (Extended) / Meaning of Love / Dreams Come True / Promise You
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