Photo Cr. Megan Kan // KpopWise
In May, Yves began her second solo tour in North America, “The
Americas Tour.” Following the release of her latest EP, “NAIL,”
in April, the singer has been busy preparing for the tour by visiting eight
cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, New
York, and Chicago.
For a brief introduction, Yves debuted in 2016 as a member
of the girl group Loona, originally a twelve-member act. As the members later
branched off into their own projects and careers, Yves boldly made her solo
debut in May 2024 with the song “Loop.” Since then, she has
released albums and EPs, with listeners likely recognizing songs such as “Viola”
and “Soap,” the latter featuring a collaboration with
singer-songwriter sensation PinkPantheress.
On May 13, Yves came to San Francisco and once again took
the stage at the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. It was my first time
seeing her live, and while I was unsure of what to expect, I was especially
curious about the kind of impression she would leave through both her music and
stage presence as an individual artist.
As the night unfolded, it became clear that Yves showcased
two distinct sides of herself through her music and performance style. The
first was her charismatic, bold, and seductive side. This was especially
noticeable during opening songs such as “Halo” and “Hashtag,”
where chair choreography and sharp dance routines transformed the stage into
something theatrical. Her dancers added energy and charisma that enhanced the
atmosphere, creating the feeling of a true pop-diva production. Yves maintained
a mysterious presence while seated in the chair as the dancers gradually built
anticipation before she fully stepped into the spotlight. Although her
movements while seated were subtle, each gesture felt deliberate and
captivating to the audience.
“Hashtag” delivered a more upbeat atmosphere
with energetic formations and choreography rooted in R&B and hip-hop
influences. Through this number, Yves displayed a livelier and more playful
side that contrasted with the slower, more mysterious tone of “Halo.”
The second side of Yves’s artistry reflected a softer,
singer-songwriter style, or what I mentally referred to as her “Taylor Swift”
side. Songs such as “Afterglow” and “Bird” featured
emotional melodies that revealed a more sentimental side to her music. The slow
buildup of percussion and the gentle strumming of electric guitar created a
noticeable contrast compared to her more visually intense performances.
Between songs, Yves spoke candidly about her music,
songwriting, and the emotions behind her work.
“I wanted to make an album where I participated more in
writing the lyrics to my songs. I wanted to make sure it was a more sentimental
and emotional album for you guys as well,” the singer explained before
discussing the previous song she had performed.
“So ‘Birth’ is a song about rebirth and finding
ourselves during difficult changes. I hope you guys listen to that song when
you’re going through difficult times. It also has a slightly darker meaning,
but I hope you listen to it whenever you’re struggling and need to lift
yourselves back up as well.”
“Birth,” from her newest album “NAIL,” blends electro,
alternative pop, and R&B influences. I found it especially unique because
of how its deeper lyrical meaning paired with the experimental production
style. The track highlights Yves’s strong artistic identity and creativity,
making her music feel memorable and distinct. Songs like this also allow
listeners to hear softer and more intentional vocals that complement the
emotional themes.
“White Cat” featured an upbeat pop-synth sound
that had fans singing along throughout the performance. The track stood out
because it balanced playful choreography with hidden emotional depth in the
lyrics, fitting naturally alongside the rest of
the setlist while still feeling
unique.
Throughout the evening, it became obvious which songs were
fan favorites and earned the loudest reactions, yet Yves’s audience remained
supportive during every stage of the concert. Whether waving lightsticks during
emotional ballads or screaming during hits like “Viola” and “Soap,”
featuring PinkPantheress, the crowd continuously returned the
energy Yves gave them.
As the show came to a close, Yves—who maintained a personal
and engaging connection with fans through her conversations between
songs—demonstrated just how intentional she is as an artist. This could be seen
not only in her interactions with the audience, but also in the creativity,
uniqueness, and versatility found throughout her discography.
“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I could be a soloist,
and some people told me it was going to be hard,” the singer confessed.
Fans immediately responded with boos and disagreement.
“But time has passed quickly, and I’ve already released
two more albums since then. I always wanted to show you guys more performances
and see you more often, but I was sad that I wasn’t able to do that. So I
really hope that when you look back on today, it becomes a fun and memorable
moment in your life.”
Thank you to Yves’s Team for having us, and you can get
tickets and catch Yves in her Canadian and South American leg of her tour in
the upcoming month!
[🍒] 2026 YVES THE AMERICAS TOUR with San Francisco Engdus🇺🇸#Yves pic.twitter.com/aVK0CiQDBo
— Yves (@Yves___official) May 17, 2026
