DAVIDE K-POP

KANGDANIEL brought his European tour ACT to London’s Islington Assembly Hall on May 7th, delivering a memorable performance. While I was familiar with some of his tracks, this was my first time seeing the South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, television host, and businessman (as Wikipedia aptly describes him) live. It’s safe to say it was one of the best solo artist shows I’ve experienced in a long time!

Following a brief intro, KANGDANIEL appeared on stage in a stunning black, heavily embellished suit, launching into the night with “Losing Myself” and “Outerspace.” After these opening numbers, he took a moment to thank the enthusiastic crowd before continuing with “Runaway” and “Get Loose.”

He expressed how much he had missed London and his excitement to be back, remarking that the London fans certainly didn’t disappoint. KANGDANIEL proved to be a captivating entertainer, effortlessly charming the audience with his unique charisma. The energy soared with “TOUCHIN’,” inspiring everyone to dance along. This was followed by the sweet and melodic “Color.”

The next segment began with the powerful “PARANOIA,” featuring a scenographically impressive choreography. For this act, he changed into a sleek grey suit paired with leather trousers. The high energy continued with “Wasteland,” where the beautiful and mysterious green background visuals particularly stood out. It’s worth noting that throughout the entire concert, the lighting and background videos played an exceptional role in enhancing the show’s atmosphere. The anticipation for “SOS” was high, and I was thrilled that it absolutely lived up to expectations!

Following “SOS,” he took a short break to prepare for the next set.

The tempo picked up again with “MESS,” a song he mentioned was only the second time he had performed live. This was followed by the tender ballad “Antidote” and then “Parade,” which concluded this particular act.

A new act brought a complete shift in energy with “Electric Shock.” The intro was humorously theatrical, featuring Frankenstein-esque body language as the dancers comically tried to revive KANGDANIEL. For this fun and engaging song, the stage outfits transitioned to jeans, white t-shirts, and layered shirts or hoodies.

Then came time for his powerful vocal performances. “Ghost” truly showcased his talent as an artist. During “Come Back to Me,” the lyrics were displayed on the big screen, encouraging a singalong (though the fans were already enthusiastically singing along!). He mentioned that he had rearranged the song specifically for his solo performances. The energy in the room then exploded with “Jealous,” which he performed live for the first time, getting everyone in the theatre dancing! This was followed by the high-octane rock energy of “Supernova” and “(Korean ver.) RE8EL.”

Before the final two songs, KANGDANIEL introduced his talented and energetic dancers, who were clearly a fantastic addition to the show. The last two songs of the main set were “Flash” and “Nirvana,” a powerful and energetic way to wrap things up.

Of course, no K-pop show is complete without an encore! KANGDANIEL returned to the stage in a black t-shirt to perform “Betcho Love” and “9 Lives” and the final song “The Story” bringing the incredible night to a close.

As a first-time KANGDANIEL concertgoer, I can confidently say he truly delivered. His stage presence was electrifying, his dance moves were smooth and precise, and he sang live – a remarkable feat that sometimes gets overlooked in K-pop shows. And what a voice he has!

I am already looking forward to seeing him again soon and eagerly await his next comeback after his mandatory military service. We will all be here waiting for you, KANGDANIEL!

Photos coming soon!