Veteran K-pop group Dreamcatcher made their way back to the Windy City for their Luck Inside 7 Doors Tour. The members are no stranger to touring at this point, and despite their almost yearly return to the states their fans (known as InSomnias) showed up excited and ready to party. Every group has dedicated fans, as it comes with the environment, but Dreamcatcher’s supporters never let down their idols. Aside from seeing fans adorned with just the usual lightstick and photocard combination, a noticeable amount of fans were wearing shirts from the group’s previous tours. InSomnias jump at the opportunity to see their favorite group every time, and it’s easy to see why after attending one of their live shows. Dreamcatcher puts on a performance that exceeds expectations in every category.
The group’s discography is full of tracks perfect for a live show setting, and the choices made for the setlist seemed to keep fans excited from start to finish. Hard-hitting bangers like “BOCA” and “Scream” perfectly illustrated the group’s signature rock-inspired sound and intense choreography. Dreamcatcher is also well-known for their vocal power, and their concerts are no exception to the high standard they’ve set with their albums. Hearing songs like “BONVOYAGE”, “Fireflies”, and “REASON” with live vocals is a transcendent experience.
Dreamcatcher shows wouldn’t be as special as they are if it weren’t for the environment the members create for their audience, though. The moody aesthetics and sometimes heavy instrumentals that go hand-in-hand with a good chunk of their discography aren’t reflective of the atmosphere of their concerts. Members JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami, and Gahyun have built a world for their InSomnias that is full of positive and lighthearted energy. During the song “Silent Night” the group re-started the song’s outro and played it several times in a row in response to the crowd’s repeated chants for “one more time”. Despite the ending playing at least four times, the group members and audience both danced with all their hearts without fail. (Though SuA jokingly made them pinky promise not to ask again after the final ending.) Their fans show up ready to party every time, and the group seems to feed off the energy and send it back tenfold.
K-pop tours aren’t an uncommon occurrence in the U.S. these days, and it may be hard for some to choose which to attend. Seeing Dreamcatcher on tour should be on every K-pop fan’s priority list. This group is full of seasoned professionals who put on a show full of phenomenal singing, powerful choreography, and fun memories for their fans to look back on. After covering three of their previous tours, I thought I couldn’t be more impressed by the group’s performance skills than I already was. My assumption was incorrect, and my belief that they put on one of the best shows in K-pop has only been solidified. Of course the performances are the main draw, but all the small details truly brought it all together and made the night feel special. The beautiful lighting, sweet interactions between the members and fans, and the silent displays of years of dedication to the group showcase the fact that Dreamcatcher is able to maintain this longevity for a reason. They’re an extraordinarily talented group that has a unique bond with their dedicated fans, and audiences show up year after year to see them because it’s sincerely worth it.
