Seasoned K-pop girl group EVERGLOW officially kicked off their tour in the U.S. and Latin America on September 27 in Chicago. Despite the tour having a shaky start (the first four dates were canceled, and member Aisha couldn’t participate for health reasons), the five members who took the stage at The Vic showed up ready to give it their all. Fans in the Windy City have had the privilege of seeing the group every time they’ve toured, but they were still full of enthusiasm and ready to support Sihyeon, E:U, Mia, Onda, and Yiren to the fullest. EVERGLOW debuted in 2019, and they’ve maintained a loyal fanbase and lasting popularity since then.
The first few songs on the setlist served as a reminder of EVERGLOW’s status as hitmakers in the industry. “DUN DUN” and “LA DI DA” were songs that couldn’t be escaped for a while after they were released. Billboard named “LA DI DA” as the best K-pop song of 2020, and “DUN DUN” peaked at #3 on the U.S. World Digital Song Sales chart. Both casual K-pop fans and dedicated FOREVERs (their fanbase) praised their music, and they were recognized domestically and internationally as a force to be reckoned with. Even with one member absent and another taking it easy on the dancing (Sihyeon apologized for her limited mobility, which was a bit heartbreaking to hear) EVERGLOW showed the audience a performance to remember.
Setlist picks included both familiar title tracks like “Pirate” and “ZOMBIE”, as well as b-sides from various points in their career such as “You Don’t Know Me”, “Oh Ma Ma God”, and “Colourz”. The song “Nighty Night” also had its live debut at the Chicago stop, making it an extra special night for FOREVERs. Halfway through the show the group switched it up and performed a few unit stages. Members Onda and Yiren turned up the heat and made the audience blush with their choreography to “Nasty” by Tinashe. Following that, Mia, E:U and Sihyeon gave a powerful vocal performance of “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson. The group also came together for a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and had the entire crowd on their feet singing along. EVERGLOW puts out a lot of positive energy to their shows, despite their music often having a dark or edgy vibe.
The second half of the show was another mix of beloved b-sides like “NO GOOD REASON” and popular title tracks, including “Adios” and their debut “Bon Bon Chocolat”. The members also performed two more cover stages near the end of the night, with song choices being (G)I-DLE’s summer bop “Klaxon” and aespa’s smash hit “Supernova”. After thanking Chicago FOREVERs and heading backstage for a quick breather, EVERGLOW performed “BACK 2 LUV” from their newest EP, along with a more casual version of “LA DI DA”. The setlist covered every single era of the group’s career, and they still made time for special stages to get the audience engaged and connect with them more.
There’s something very special about hearing a room full of people shout “EVERGLOW forever let’s go!” like their life depends on it. In spite of the lack of regular promotions, as well as the absence of a full album in their discography, FOREVERs remain loyal and vocal in their support. The start of the tour caused uneasiness within the fanbase, as people began to question its stability after the first four dates were canceled. EVERGLOW and Chicago FOREVERs worked together to shake off the negative energy and ended the first show on a hopeful note. Some fans even brought a cardboard cutout of missing member Aisha, and the girls brought it on stage for a song.
The members of EVERGLOW seem determined to persevere no matter the circumstances, and it seems like their FOREVER are right beside them every step of the way. Every exchange between the two seemed full of fondness and gratitude. The members spent the evening interacting with fans in between songs and posing for their cameras, as well as throwing signed balls out to the crowd later in the evening. FOREVER returned the love by filling the room with loud and enthusiastic cheers all throughout the night.
Despite the challenges they’ve faced so far at the start of this tour, the members of EVERGLOW were still at the top of their game as idols. Their performance was nearly flawless, and the setlist full of bangers and fun cover choices was a nice cherry on top. Hopefully next time fans in the Windy City will be able to welcome back all six members under less hectic conditions.
