Stray Kids' Maniac Tour Comes to Chicago
By Adrianna Dreckmann
I will say for the longest time I was a K-Pop denier. I never thought I’d see the day where I am actively a BTS fan in private but alas the day has finally come sometime now in my early twenties. But alas, this is not about that most beloved K-Pop group but about a different group entirely. Stray Kids.
Last week, I was very lucky to be given tickets to see JYP’s Stray Kids in concert at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Fresh of the heels of a Billboard 200 Number 1 EP, Stray Kids is currently on their second would tour called “Maniac”. Prior to the show I had only known maybe three total Stray Kids songs and don’t get me wrong, I love every one I knew but when it came be a fan- or stan rather I was at a loss. And while I’m considered a “new” kpopper fan I knew very well who Stray Kids are and how popular they are in this realm of east asian pop music. I had only been confirmed hours before the show so the timeline for me to study more of their songs and their names even was just something I didn’t have time for.
I attended the show with one of my good friends who was also a new kpop fan like myself. We both thought it would be more fun going into this whole experience blind. We love a good story and a new experience so we were definitely on board for whatever was in store. While studying the Stray Kids’ members names in line we noticed all around us young women were dressed up in a lot of black and green as well as leather garments and lots…LOTS…of chains. By the time I reached security there was a little puddle of abandoned chains not allowed in the venue sitting on the ground by the security guard. My little knowledge ahead of time came in handy when it came to my leather pants and green top. God bless fandom wiki pages!
We arrived to the show just in time and the second we entered United Center the screams were absolutely feral. I forgot my good earplugs at home and spent an extra 15 minutes walking around United Center looking for any earplugs at all! None were found so I just got myself a drink and decided to just tough the screams and pray my ears wouldn’t be permanently damaged at the end of the night. ALWAYS BRING EAR PLUGS TO A KPOP SHOW.
The second the lights went off, light sticks went up in the air from the fans. I had no idea that openers aren’t a thiing at these shows which is honestly so great. I like openers but when it comes to arena and stadium shows (I’m sorry) I just don’t care. When it comes to K-Pop I think the concept of light sticks is the coolest thing ever. I mean branded lights from your favorite group that you can bring to their shows and then use as a decorative piece later on? I did see a couple light sticks from other JYP acts in the crowd including a lone Twice stick a few rows in front of me.
I didn’t really know what to expect when the show started. I think my only expectation was that we were going to some crazy dance numbers and maybe a crazy stage set up or two. Then I mostly assumed and communication between the band and the audience would be through a translator. I couldn’t have been more incorrect. I found a couple times my breath being taken away just from shock about what I was witnessing. It wasn’t just a concert it was a performance, it was a concept carefully strategized into a story. I found myself and my friend just screaming at the top of our lungs and fanning ourselves only 4 songs into a nearly 35 song set. When it comes to Stray Kids, mostly all of the eight members are actually very well verse and fluent in English with two members, Felix and BangChan, both actually being from Australia. When I heard them speak to the crowd and their australian accents so clear I think I definitely screamed from shock. It was hot. Why lie? That’s what I’m here for right?
The reality here is that *sometimes* a lot of the companies that create these acts definitely do so to attract the female gaze. Obviously. We choose our favorite members. Crack Youtube compilations are made of all their “super cute” moments and photo cards are sold and traded like precious gemstones. I have fallen victim of the photo card collection phase of kpop as well. It’s addicting. But the fact of the matter is, there is something attractive when it comes to a man who sings with such confidence. Now you throw in dancing? Extremely hot outfits and an entire production behind it? Yeah, I think I swooned so much. The show wasn’t even half way over before I’ve recognize that I had fallen in love with a new group.
The show was split into three acts. Each act separated by a concept video where everyone sat down to take a break while the band did an outfit change. This was another thing I loved about a kpop concert that differs from your typical show. A break. It’s exhausting to scream your lungs out and dance for nearly 3 hours straight. Sitting down was great. More sitting breaks at concerts!
I think the most exciting moments for me were the performances of “All In” “Venom” and “God’s Menu”. All fan favorites. However, I would say I was pleasantly surprised by one part during the second act. During some banter with the audience, Felix began introducing members as having nondiscography songs prepared to sing. Not all of them did but it did create a sort of “you just had to be there” moment that so many crave. Falling by Harry Styles, If The World Was Ending by JP Saxe, and All Of The Lights by Kanye West were some of the surprise acapella covers by the members the audience was surprised with. You could feel how special it was for them to be in Chicago. Including the occasional mention that being able to perform in the same arena that some famous Chicago Bulls players have created their careers in (see: Michael Jordan) was very cool for them.
About halfway in I also regretted not having a light stick. Reminder, I didn’t know anything prior to coming but the experience of being an audience member was so much fun that I was ready to spend $60 on a fricken light stick! Behind me was an older husband and wife duo that I was absolutely enthralled with. I later found out his wife is a huge kpop fan and he got her tickets but, like us, didn’t know anything about them other than his wife’s bias (ie. favorite member). It was Felix. Same as me. He kept yelling in such a deep manly voice “I fucking love you Felix!!!” when it was dead quiet to the embarassment of his wife.
Stray Kids had only played two shows on this tour prior to the Chicago date and it was so clear that they were as excited as we were to see them. Their charisma jumped off the stage and was infectious to the audience. Even by the end of the night the members themselves said they didn’t want to leave because the energy of the crowd was just too good to put down. The encore in itself was a whole hour too! I felt like everyone who attended not only got their fill as fans but also their moneys worth on the ticket they paid for. I think the last time I had this much fun at a concert was during Harry Styles’ Love On Tour during Fall of 2021. This is one of those times that I think this is something everyone should experience. It doesn’t even have to be a Stray Kids show, persae but rather a kpop concert in general. I’ve been going to shows almost my entire life and this concert really made me excited about live music again in this post (but not really) COVID world. It was just so much fun even as someone who knew very little going in. I left becoming a major fan and so did my friend who went with me.
On our way out of the show we spoke to a few fans outside. A lot of girls who were in their early twenties like ourselves came alone too but said they felt “at home” here since so many of the fans are so alike when it comes to this fandom. It feels like a community to them. Eventually, my friend and myself had to out ourselves to these girls as new fans who knew next to nothing about Stray Kids 5 hours ago. “Baby Stays are always welcome!” They ended up saying to us. “Stays” being the name of the Stray Kids fans. I’m still trying to figure out all the lingo five days after the fact.
While Stray Kids had to cancel two upcoming shows this week due to COVID, if you have the opportunity to catch them on their upcoming tour this month of July I would say FINALLY pull that trigger and buy the tickets. I feel so glad that I went and experienced something different for me. I have a feeling this will not be my last kpop show that I will be attending.