Despite the cold Chicago winds, concert-goers lined up at 2 in the morning in front of Studebaker Theater on May 13. These fans committed to the early wait, determined to be first in line for AMPERS&ONE, FNC Entertainment’s fifth-generation rookie group, performing in the heart of the city.
The group embarked on their second U.S. tour, Born To Define, on May 5, kicking off in Washington D.C.. Prior to this tour, AMPERS&ONE came to America on their first tour, My First _, and joined their company seniors P1Harmony on their North America Tour last year. Since then, AMPERS&ONE’s growth has been proven with their dynamic setlist, high-energy performances, and the release of their latest album, ‘DEFINITION,’ being the main highlight throughout their tour.
On their Born To Define tour, AMPERS&ONE is hitting 17 cities across the U.S., performing a dynamic setlist and special stages created exclusively for this tour, along with making unforgettable memories for the group and their fans alike.
POP TOKKI had the opportunity to attend AMPERS&ONE’s show in Chicago. Here’s what we thought!
The concert opened with the group’s newer songs. Most notably, the cheers for their most recent title track “GOD” were deafening, with attendees screaming fanchants and hyping up all seven members on the stage. Following “GOD,” AMPERS&ONE delivered a high-energy performance of “What You Talking About,” the third track on their newest album.
After the first couple of songs, AMPERS&ONE took time to introduce themselves on stage, commenting on how excited they were to be back in Chicago, and encouraged fans to be prepared for the exciting night they had ahead. During these introductions, AMPERS&ONE spoke on steps they took to prepare for this tour, things they were excited to show during this tour that they hadn’t shown in the past, and gave little teasers on what was to come such as unit stages. They also asked the crowd who was seeing them for the first time and were thrilled to see that much of the venue hadn’t seen them before, which seemed to give them even more motivation to put on a good performance.
One aspect of this tour the group urged attendees to look forward to was their unit stages, which showcased the members’ various talents through well-known songs by popular artists. Jiho and Kamden kicked off their unit stages with a cover of ENHYPEN’s “FEVER,” a sensual and alluring performance offering a nice switch-up from the previous high-energy set. After, Kyrell and Brian wooed the crowd with their heartwarming performance of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” and Mackiah, Seungmo and Siyun performed One Direction’s “Drag Me Down,” closing the unit stages with a dynamic and lively wrap-up.
Between sets, the members took time to connect directly with the audience, sharing inside jokes and reflecting on experiences from throughout their tour. From random “6-7” jokes to members teasing each other on stage, the group filled the theater with laughter, which created a lighthearted and informal break between performances. These moments let the members’ personalities shine, making the concert feel more personal and well-rounded in a way that can sometimes become lost when the focus is on displaying on-stage personas.
Afterward, the group highlighted the range of genres in their discography through multiple songs. Some standouts were “He + She = WE,” “Broken Heart,” and “Kick Start.” The setlist was thoughtfully structured, moving from fan-focused songs to high-energy tracks, then into more emotional melodies before closing with the encore.
What made this night most memorable was before the encore, when fans were given the floor to lead their own performance of “All Eyes On You.” Each stop on this tour was encouraged to learn the lyrics for the song, and when Chicago ANDEAR sang the song loud and clear, the group expressed their surprise and gratitude, letting the crowd know they heard the singing from behind the stage.
These fan-engagement elements are what made the concert very enjoyable. Audience interaction was a huge component of this show, and the group prioritized that in multiple ways. All members jumped into the crowd multiple times throughout the night, making sure to interact with as many fans as possible. Even for attendees sitting all the way in the back, AMPERS&ONE found their way to everyone, running back and forth through all the aisles to dance, take pictures, and bond with ANDEAR.
In the end, AMPERS&ONE made a promise to return with even bigger and better energy for their future American appearances, which feels impossible after witnessing how explosive the energy in the room was for this show. Fan or not, AMPERS&ONE find ways to enamor everyone through their high-energy performances, audience engagement, and genuine dedication to their careers. The moments that were created throughout this show, for both fans and AMPERS&ONE, are ones that are sure to stick with everyone for a long time.
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Featured Image Credit: FNC Entertainment
