[Concert Review] The Boyz Impress A-Town for “Zeneration II”

THE BOYZ 2023 mini-album hit “Diamond Life” reverberates from the speakers into the soles [and souls] of the crowd as fans, affectionately known as The B, leap to their feet and prepare for a thrilling night at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre with the 11-member boy group.

SANGYEON, HYUNJAE, JUHAKNYEON, JACOB, JUYEON, KEVIN, ERIC, YOUNGHOON, NEW, Q, & SUNWOO take the stage in stunning all-white outfits before stunning their fans into a stupor with multiple powerful opening songs. The Boyz maintain stable vocals during their intense choreography and with a sudden lighting change taking over the stage, the deep red lets fans know the energy level is about to spike.

Throughout the show, the song titles come up on the big screens, but it is clear that fans in attendance have been long dedicated to the discography, screaming out as just the first notes hit the speakers. This added element doesn’t just spark excitement for long-time The B to remember the setlist but allows new fans a full experience of getting to know the group.

Before a classic K-pop show VCR break takes fans to their seats, Kevin is center stage as the rest of his members drop low so he can throw his mic in the air and call for everyone to chant along with them during “Maverick.” The energy booms and they leave everyone wanting more. They do not disappoint as the second set opens on a darker but still hype mood for songs like “Tattoo” and “Levitating.”

“Breaking Dawn” is the perfect performance to show off their ability to maintain stage formations that allow everyone to see all of the members throughout and utilize solo opportunities. It’s a song that breaks the stage, albeit not literally, and is immediately doused by a VCR mood change into softness and nature. The beach party-esque decor teases the upcoming vibe change and the new stage focuses on fan interaction and just having a good time with one another. “Fantasize” lets The Boyz and The B have their very own dance party, having members toss flowers out into the crowd and some even hand-deliver a few. The fan interaction is one of the most heart-warming, even making its way into the setlist as a “D.D.D” fancam party so that The B can be a part of the fun and are shown on the big screens to dance along too.

One of the most respectable assets of the group is the way each member uses their skills to tie their music together. Eric and Sunwoo rapping one after the other creates a rhythmic and sometimes explosive break between vocals and fans are heard singing along to all styles each member brings to the stage. Just like mood changes within songs, the storytelling the members prepared take the audience on a fascinating journey. Transitioning from a warm nature to a cold rain, the members take their places for a set of ballads. Some songs focus on individual vocals with a rarity of overlap while others, like “Horizon,” let the members harmonize in a way that makes anyone listening feel as if they are floating amongst the Aurora Borealis. Sometimes fans see artists feel the music move through themselves as they perform, eyes closed, and mic held tight, other times fans witness the warmth radiate off of them as they look out into the crowd and realize how much they enjoy being in that shared space; The Boyz shared moments like that throughout the entirety of the ballad section. 

As the story continues on the screens and the members disappear behind the curtains once again, fans wait with bated breath. They re-emerge with a vengeance in the form of red and black hip-hop style outfits for “Bite Back,” “Reveal,” and “The Stealer.” Stunts wow the audience, choreography has everyone dancing along, and fan chants ring throughout the Fox Theatre’s vaulted ceilings, before The Boyz close out the show with “Nectar” and “Fire Eyes.” 

Check out what other songs were on the setlist: