DAVIDE K-POP

On a rainy Saturday in October, the vibrant city of Madrid came alive with the sounds of K-pop. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a last-minute change of venue, the Music Bank team and Korean Power pulled off an incredible event that left fans cheering and singing along. I’m incredibly grateful to have been invited to witness this historic concert, and I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.

Let’s now dive into the night! What a night, I can’t believe I managed to see Kiss of Life, P1Harmony, RIIZE, NMIXX, BOYNEXTDOOR, mamammo+, aespa, and ENHYPEN under the same roof! (Well… not literally, since we were in an open space, but you get my point!)

Music Bank in Madrid took place at the Miguel Ríos Auditorium in Rivas Vacia Madrid. It was my first time going there, and I found it extra special because it was at the top of a hill, making the show the star of the whole town!

There were 30,000 people attending Music Bank in Madrid, coming from 87 different countries! The gates opened at 4:30 PM while the show started at 7:30 PM and finished around 11 PM.

Overall, the production and lighting of the show were top-notch! The show went pretty smoothly, despite the heavy rain. Luckily, the rain didn’t last the whole show. The stage was a bit slippery, and the staff made sure to dry it as much as possible between stages to ensure the safety of the artists performing. There were some slips, but nothing dangerous or unsafe during any of the performances.

Let’s now talk through each performance. I’ll try to give you as much detail as possible in chronological order of performance.

Park Bo-gum: A Shining Host

The iconic actor Park Bo-gum kicked off the Music Bank Madrid concert with a captivating opening speech, introducing each artist individually. Dressed in a stunning purple suit, he exuded charm and charisma. Despite the heavy rain pouring down, Park Bo-gum remained professional and delivered his speech flawlessly. To add a local touch, he also spoke Spanish throughout the show, impressing the audience with his language skills.

Later in the evening, Park Bo-gum made a striking entrance in a sparkling black suit, further showcasing his handsome appearance. He concluded the concert by inviting all the artists back on stage for a final farewell, leaving the audience with lasting memories.

Kiss of Life: A Stellar Opening

Kiss of Life, the opening act of Music Bank Madrid, left a lasting impression on the audience. Having never seen them live before, I was immediately captivated by their magnetic stage presence and endearing personalities. Between songs, they took a moment to interact with fans, showcasing their genuine sweetness.

The group performed three of their hits: “Shh,” “Midas Touch,” and their summer anthem “Sticky.” Each song was a powerhouse, filled with high energy and incredible chemistry. With their new album on the horizon, be sure to keep an eye on these rising stars.

Before leaving the stage, Kiss of Life gave a sweet nod to the next performers by singing a few lines of “Sad Song.” It was a thoughtful gesture that further endeared them to the audience.

P1Harmony: A Force to Be Reckoned With

P1Harmony, the second act of the evening, delivered a powerhouse performance that left the audience in awe. Their opening dance medley of “Sad Song,” infused with Latin flair, was a captivating introduction.

The group’s live rendition of “Sad Song” was nothing short of exceptional, showcasing their impressive vocals and dance moves. They followed with a high-energy performance of “Killin’ It,” a song that had been eagerly anticipated by fans. The crowd was electrified as P1Harmony got them jumping and dancing along to “Jump” and “Follow Me.”

If you missed P1Harmony’s previous European tour, be sure to check out my review. And for those eager to see them live again, they’ll be returning to Europe in January 2025!

RIIZE: A Rising Star

RIIZE, a group I’d been eager to see live after their impressive encore performance in Seoul which was delayed streamed worldwide in cinemas, exceeded all expectations. Their high-energy opener, “Impossible,” immediately captivated the audience with its powerful choreography and synchronised movements.

The group continued to impress with their performances of “Love 119,” “Get A Guitar,” and “Boom Boom Bass,” showcasing their exceptional talent and stage presence. I was mesmerized by their performance and hope to see them on a world tour, including Europe, soon.

Before their final song, “Siren,” the auditorium erupted in cheers as fans celebrated the news about Hong Seunghan returning to the group activities. Unfortunately, the following day, SM Entertainment announced that the member would not be rejoining the group. While I was disappointed by this news, I wish the member all the best in their future endeavours and will continue to support him.

RIIZE’s performance was nothing short of outstanding, and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to experience their talent firsthand.

Special Stage: Solar, Belle, and Julie

A delightful surprise awaited the audience as Solar from MAMAMOO joined forces with Belle and Julie from Kiss of Life for a special performance. Dressed in matching white outfits, the trio took the stage to perform Rosalía’s hit song, “Bizcochito.”

The girls had a blast performing the upbeat track, and their infectious energy was contagious. It was a truly adorable and memorable moment of the night.

NMIXX: A Powerful Performance

Following RIIZE and the special stage, NMIXX took the stage and delivered a powerful performance that surpassed their previous show in London, at the BST Hyde Park. It was evident that the group was feeling healthy and energised, and they brought their A-game to Madrid.

The setlist included crowd-pleasers like “Dash” and “Love Me Like This,” as well as the captivating tracks “Soñar” and “See That?” Lily, a member of NMIXX, also took the time to speak a few sentences in Spanish, demonstrating her appreciation for the audience and adding a personal touch to their performance.

BOYNEXTDOOR Brings the Heat to Madrid

The group opened their set with the energetic tracks “Nice Guy” and “One and Only,” immediately captivating the audience.

They followed with their hit song, “Earth Wind and Fire,” a fan favorite. The group concluded their performance with “Serenade,” showcasing their versatility and talent.

The members of BOYNEXTDOOR were incredibly sweet and enthusiastic, and it was clear that they were thrilled to be performing at Music Bank. As a bonus, the group recently announced on X that they would be announcing their upcoming European tour soon.

Special Stage: Heeseung’s Solo Performance

The concert featured another surprise special stage from Heeseung, a member of ENHYPEN. Heeseung delivered a powerful rendition of The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face.” Dressed in a stylish leather jacket, his vocals perfectly captured the essence of the song. Heeseung also took the opportunity to connect with fans by venturing into the pit area, creating an intimate and memorable moment.

MAMAMOO+: A Showcase of Talent

MAMAMOO+ opened their set with a stunning solo performance by Solar. Singing “Blues,” she captivated the audience with her powerful vocals and stage presence. Solar’s talent was on full display, leaving the audience in awe.

Moonbyul followed with a captivating solo performance of “Is This Love,” accompanied by dancers. The duo then reunited on stage for a medley of “Dinga Dinga,” “Hip,” and “Decalcomanie.” Their incredible chemistry and energy made for an iconic and unforgettable performance.

Special Stage: A Triple Threat

The final special stage of the night featured three separate performances:

• P1Harmony: Performed “Chk Chk Boom” by Stray Kids
• NMIXX: Performed “Kick It” by NCT 127
• BOYNEXTDOOR: Performed “Really Really” by WINNER

Each group delivered their own unique take on the popular songs, showcasing their individual styles and talents.

aespa: A Stunning Performance

aespa, one of my most anticipated acts of the night, delivered a breathtaking performance that left the audience wanting more. The group opened with a surprise performance of “Spicy,” followed by the viral hit “Supernova.” The crowd erupted in cheers, singing along to every word.

aespa continued to impress with their iconic tracks “Next Level” and “Armageddon.” The group announced their upcoming world tour, including a stop in London, so be sure to mark your calendars.

ENHYPEN: A Powerful Finale

ENHYPEN, the final act of the night, delivered a powerful and energetic performance that left the audience wanting more. Dressed in matching outfits with a black, white, and red color scheme, the group’s individual personalities shone through.

The setlist included fan favorites like “Bite Me” and “Fever,” showcasing their synchronized dance moves and captivating stage presence. The crowd was electric, with fans singing along and cheering enthusiastically.

The group continued to impress with performances of “XO,” “Paranormal,” and “Brought the Heat Back.” For those who missed ENHYPEN’s performance, their show is definitely one to catch the next time they tour Europe.

Overall, Music Bank Madrid was a resounding success, featuring outstanding performances from all the artists. The special stages added an extra layer of excitement and surprise to the event.

A special thanks to Korean Power and Music Bank for inviting me to this incredible concert. I hope to see Music Bank come to London in the future. With enough fan support, it’s a dream that could become a reality!

All images were provided by Power Korean and credit Nacho Nabscab.