[Concert Review] Hwasa Spices up the Stage in Oakland on Twit Tour

You may know her as “Hwasa” or even “Maria.” The former Mamamoo band member has announced her first-ever solo tour in 2025! Hwasa’s Twit NORTH AMERICA TOUR is visiting 11 cities across the US, with extended stops now announced in Europe! On March 13th, the singer visited Oakland for her second show of the tour, following Seattle, which opened a few days prior. If you’re not familiar with the South Korean singer, she debuted in 2014 under RBW Entertainment as one of the four members of the girl group Mamamoo. The group was known for their songwriting, live vocals, and harmonies that illustrated their teamwork and unique sound. You may be familiar with hit songs such as “Hip” or “Egotistic,” just to name a few. In 2021, Hwasa left her original company and started a new chapter in 2023, signing with Psy’s Pnation label. Since then, she has released solo music, including her most recent solo album, which was released on September 19, 2024. Her mini album, titled O, features 7 tracks, with the title track MV “NA.” It’s no surprise that the singer is working hard and creating unique, individual works for her fans worldwide.

The evening kicked off with fans from all over the Bay Area, excited to see Hwasa in person and eagerly chatting with each other about it. Radish lightsticks radiated from the Mamamoo fandom as the lights dimmed, and the red curtain on stage opened to the sound of the music. Her lit-up background featured a Hollywood-style stage sign that read “Hwasa Live!” After a few songs, the singer greeted her fans and shared her thoughts about Oakland.

“I heard Oakland is the biggest venue for my tour. Thank you for filling this big venue just for me. I really feel energized and so happy,” she says with a happy and humble smile.

The singer opened the show with her song “Hwasa” from her recent O album. The song set the tone for the evening, with her dancers bringing the production to life and Hwasa delivering impressive live vocals. There were so many details put into this show that certainly caught the eyes of fans (and myself) as I took in the entire experience. Whether it was the lighting, the background set, the dancers, or her song choices, everything was crafted specifically to best showcase Hwasa as an artist. We got to see many sides of her during this show. A stage that was particularly popular with her fans was her performance of “Maria,” which started as a slower, moody song before transitioning into an upbeat tempo, showcasing her charismatic choreography. At one point, she held out her mic, encouraging fans to sing along — and they did, enthusiastically. From sexy body rolls to charismatic facial expressions, Hwasa held nothing back during this stage and in all of her performances, whether solo or with her team of dancers.

A few things that stood out to me about the singer weren’t just her solo songs but also her tributes to Mamamoo, such as performing “Hip” and “Egotistic,” which made fans go wild with nostalgia. The pop singer also did a medley of pop diva hits, including Beyoncé’s “Diva,” Madonna’s “Hung Up,” Jennifer Lopez’s “Get Loud,” and Britney Spears’s “Toxic.” She explained why she chose these songs and artists, revealing they had a special meaning to her.

“Did you like the cover songs? I chose these songs because these artists are like my mothers,” she said. The passion and pride in her eyes showed how inspirational these pop icons have been for her and how their artistry has influenced her. This stage was a definite highlight, reflecting her dedication and the hard work of her dancers who brought her vision to life.

Hwasa isn’t just a performer or artist — she’s also very open and personable with her fans. During her talks, she openly shares her struggles, joys in songwriting, and even her silly side, such as trying new makeup or exploring Oakland in her VCR segments, or showcasing hours of rehearsal practice in the studio in preparation for this tour.

The singer expresses her gratitude and honesty, not just as an artist, but as a person. This was genuinely noticeable compared to most artists I’ve seen.

“I will work hard to cheer you up when you are having a hard time or just want to have some fun. You can come see Hwasa,”