Concert Review: DAY6 Brings The Magic To YouTube Theater In LA
Madeleine Gee
Last year, the Korean pop-rock band DAY6 played at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. I was set to attend the performance, but unfortunately, I had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. I've only heard of DAY6 by name and some songs that popped up in my random K-Mix Spotify playlist, but I never sought them out further, eventually forgetting about them. I wasn't even aware they were coming to Los Angeles for two nights as part of their 3rd World Tour: Forever Young until friends mentioned they were attending.
After hearing praise of Night 1, I recalled the missed opportunity in Incheon and considered attending the second show. But it wasn't until I had last-minute coffee with a friend visiting from Korea when she mentioned she was a 'My Day,' the fandom name for the group, that we decided to go that night. It was as if fate had intervened, determined for me to watch this band.
I was reminded of this as I entered the venue and saw the mini-banners created by the fanbase, with DAY6's company approval, that read in both Korean and English: 'DAY6 and My Day found each other, not by chance but through fate.'
The lights from the group's official light band illuminated the dark room, with eager fans waiting for the show to begin. Many have waited nearly six years for the quartet to return to Los Angeles since their last World Tour in 2019. The excitement filled the room as the spotlight focused on the stage, which featured a complete drum set, several amplifiers, microphones, a keyboard, and a synthesizer. Each member – Dowoon (drums/percussion), Wonpil (keyboards/synthesizers), Young K (bass), and Sungjin (guitars) – walked on stage to their designated place, and, without a word, began to play their first song: 'Best Part.'
I hadn't planned on writing a review, but I felt compelled to take notes and document my thoughts throughout the concert as they began to play. I didn't know the lyrics or the background behind each song, but I wrote about how it made me feel, in hopes that it would connect with my post-concert research – and it did.
Within the first chord, the audience became transfixed by the group's strong instrumentals and powerful vocals. The catchy beats and inspiring lyrics drew the crowd in, evoking a sense of joy and hope as if you're entering this therapeutic retreat. The songs that followed in this set were 'Better Better,' 'Healer,' and 'Time of Our Life,' which generated a feeling of optimism and assurance.
DAY6 / Los Angeles
Madeleine Gee
The graphics that played on the big screen to accompany the song only elevated the emotion from the performance, providing a visual guide to the concert's musical journey. Several explosions of confetti and streamers provided a sense of celebration.
The group then introduced themselves, with Young K taking charge of the stage, as he was the most proficient in English, having grown up in Canada. Rather than speak on behalf of the group, Young K asked his bandmates questions to stimulate conversation, allowing each to have a say. With their limited English, Dowoon and Wonpil did their best to communicate their feelings, which came off as sweet and endearing.
The next section of songs consisted of confessional love songs with 'She Smiled,' 'How To Love,' 'Pouring,' and 'Say Wow.' The best way to describe this set was the feeling of being in church with an inspiring sermon that connects you to a higher power. During 'How to Love,' the audience sang the chorus as if they were answering the question from the song: 'Yes, I'm ready [to love]
During another moment to speak to their fans, Wonpil offered some memorable advice: 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is [a] mystery. Tonight is a gift of joy.' Sunjin added, 'Tonight is victory.' They began to banter, showcasing their humor and ease with each other. Young K then prepared the crowd for the next section, filled with songs of heartbreak and remorse.
For every journey of self-reflection, there is a moment when we must confront our demons and the despair. Their songs, 'You Were Beautiful,' 'I Loved You,' 'Letting Go,' and 'Congratulations,' gave a moment for audiences just to feel sad – and that's okay.
DAY6 / Los Angeles
Madeleine Gee
The group rarely took any breaks between their sections, but finally had a moment of rest, in a sing-along with the audience, playing snippets of songs: 'I Like You,' 'Only,' 'I'm Serious,' and 'Sweet Chaos.'
They returned to the basics of rock in their next set: 'How Can I Say,' 'I Wait,' 'Love Me Or Leave Me,' and 'Shoot Me.' The beats from the drums and bass guitar echoed through the room, causing vibrations in the seats and floor. As I reached out to hold the railing in front of me, I felt the vibrations from the guitar riffs, causing me to grip it as if I were bracing for impact. The baby-faced drummer, who was bashful during the speeches, suddenly became possessed, filled with intensity and rage, showcasing his remarkable skill. The energy consistently stayed high throughout this section as if I were at a rock festival like Coachella. Rather than go to the desert, DAY6 brought it to us.
Each band member had a moment to showcase their instrumental skills with solo beats before moving on to the next section of songs, which centered around loneliness and isolation, ultimately leading to finding happiness. Dowoon told the audience, 'The next stage is a little down position songs. [Are] you guys lonely [sometimes]? We prepared these stages with hopes to encourage and comfort everyone when they're feeling lonely. We [want to] touch your hearts. You are not alone.'
They begin with 'Monster' and then 'Zombie,' setting the forlorn mood, as if the group were singing to our souls. In 'Monster,' the three singers sync their vocals to create a powerful, magnetic sound, as if they have combined to form a beautiful creature. For 'Zombie,' the English lyrics reflected on the screen as the Korean version was sung, providing clarity on its significance. Although, the visual aids were not necessary to feel the impact of this song.
They continued with 'Melt Down,' an upbeat song about surviving hardships and emerging stronger from them, symbolizing the thawing from being frozen. Before the song, the screen had a message for the crowd: 'Sometimes when we feel like we're lost, the words that you will stay by our side brings us back to our feet. To all of you who brought us miracles, we hope our song will melt you down warmly.' 'Happy' and 'Wish' followed to finish the set, prompting a renewed sense of purpose filled with hope.
DAY6 / Los Angeles
Lexi Wilder
The final section, preceding the encore, was focused on celebration as the audience had finally completed this emotional musical journey with DAY6. 'Help Me Rock&Roll,' 'Shxtty Game,' 'Dance Dance,' and 'Freely' brought positive, fun energy to the fans, who were on their feet dancing along with the band. At the end of the song, the crowd sang the Korean lyrics in unison, which left me stunned to see people of all races participating as the group exited the stage.
To pass the time until the encore, the screens displayed snippets of songs for the crowd to sing along. It was about 10-15 minutes before the group returned on stage to perform their last section of appreciation with 'My Day,' a love song dedicated to the fans. They then sang 'First Time,' which expresses an emotional goodbye to someone important – in this case, to the 'My Day.'
For this show, 'My Day' and DAY6's company presented the band with a surprise video of thanks, which showed the members how much they mean to the fandom. The group expressed their gratitude in their final speeches, each telling the audience that they would return soon.
They initially concluded with 'Welcome to the Show,' with Young K telling the adoring crowd that it didn't have to be the last song if the audience proved to the band they wanted more. This prompted the theater goers to stand and dance, singing their hearts out. It was awe-inspiring to witness 'My Day' continue to sing the chorus a cappella after the song had finished. It worked as DAY6 played one final song as an award to the fans for their passionate energy.
Of course, like many spiritual journeys, the purpose of self-reflection and discovery is about going full circle. DAY6 did just that by playing the opening song, 'Best Part,' again – as if they were bringing you back out of this fascinating world they sucked you in hours before.
DAY6 / Los Angeles
Madeleine Gee
The group had a concert the evening prior, which would put a strain on their voices, as their songs are intense and require immense vocal control. There were very slight moments of pitchiness, which were quickly remedied. However, it did not detract from the song, music, and the delightful sensations it created.
I expected DAY6's euphoric performance to be entertaining, but I didn't expect it to be so healing. Maybe it was fate that I found DAY6, and I'm better for it.
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