2Z (Tu-zi) is a group that perfectly blends the energy of K-pop with the raw power of rock, and on the 3rd of April, the quintet brought that high-octane spirit to The Courtyard Theatre in London. Having followed their journey closely, it was a pleasure to see them command the stage in such an intimate setting as part of their latest tour. For those of you who want to dive deeper into their personalities and musical philosophy, I actually sat down with the band for an exclusive interview a little over a year ago, which you can watch here to see just how much they have grown since then.
The band made their official debut on the 3rd of January 2020, and while the global pandemic made their early years challenging, it helped them forge an incredibly tight bond with their fans, known as FromA. Because their music provided so much comfort during difficult times, fans affectionately nicknamed them “The Boys Singing Hope.” The members originally started their careers as fashion models, which explains their incredible stage presence and sharp style. Over the years, they have evolved from a classic alternative rock sound to experimenting with diverse genres like synth-pop and hard rock, always keeping a positive message at the heart of their lyrics.
The group is made of five talented individuals who each bring a unique flavour to the stage. Ho Jin serves as the main vocalist and is often called the “Angelic Voice” for his powerful yet sweet tone that defines the band’s signature sound. On guitar and vocals is Ji Seob, who brings a charismatic rockstar energy and is also well-known for his roles in various K-dramas. Jung Hyun provides the groovy foundation on bass with his calm and cool aura, while Bum Jun acts as the heartbeat of the group, pouring massive energy into every drum beat. Completing the line-up is Zuzu, the customised multi-player who joined later in 2020 to add extra layers of percussion and guitar that make their live performances feel truly complete.
Let’s now dive into the night. The lights went down and 2Z walked onto the stage one by one through the crowd, which I found to be a very nice and welcoming gesture; it made me feel like they were “one of us” somehow. 2Z kicked off the show with Borderline and ONE MORE TIME (an ALLDAY PROJECT cover). I was blown away from the start—I certainly never expected a cover of a recent ADP track. It had a distinct rock twist while still paying homage to the original, giving the show a very strong and powerful opening!
The band took a moment to chat with the fans and share how happy they were to be in London before continuing with Siren and O@SIS. After another quick breath, they mentioned that this was the final stop of the tour and told the crowd they could feel that London was the most energetic audience so far. Before moving on, they taught the fans how to sing along to Luv Affair. It was wonderful to see the genuine chemistry between 2Z and their supporters.
Next up was 25, which was incredibly energetic and dynamic! This was followed by Naughty Boy, and in my opinion, this is where the rock side of the show really kicked into high gear. They then surprised us with another cover, this time from one of my favourite artists, G-Dragon. 2Z delivered an amazing rock version of HOME SWEET HOME—I’m sure GD would be proud!
6(SIX) followed and was such a vibe, especially during the little interlude. The rock energy continued with Dizzy, where it was lovely to hear the crowd singing “I’ll be there” along with the band. We then had a slight change in mood with CrossRoad, featuring a soft spoken-word interlude before the track kicked back into high energy. 2Z then introduced each member by name, with each taking a short solo moment to showcase their instrumental skills.
Not without U was next, bringing another shift in mood while keeping the energy high, particularly during the chorus. As we neared the end of the set, the group performed 2Z Anthem. Once again, the guys taught the fans the chorus, making the sing-along incredibly fun. 2020 March was, unfortunately, the “last” song… but was it?
The encore kicked off with ACT 1 and Superstar. 2Z expressed their happiness with such sincerity; they were clearly thrilled to be in London. They mentioned how lucky they felt to be here, explaining that they had dreamed of visiting London even before the band was formed. They then introduced the final song of the night, inviting the fans to join them in an “imaginary toast.” Saving the best for last, The Toast closed the show perfectly.
2Z delivered an outstanding performance in London, full of energy and pure talent. 2Z breathes rock and it shows! They remind me of British punk rock; they are extremely talented musicians and I cannot wait to see what comes next for them.
DAVIDE K-POP 