There is a distinct kind of electricity in the air when a group you’ve watched from day one finally takes over an iconic London stage. Ever since their formation, KATSEYE haven’t just been dropping music—they’ve been building a full-blown cultural shift. Watching them evolve from their debut into a global pop powerhouse has been nothing short of incredible. And now? They’ve officially brought that unstoppable energy straight to London for a landmark, completely sold-out two-night run (3rd & 4th Sept) at The O2, kicking off THE WILDWORLD TOUR in front of massive, adoring crowds.
Fresh off the drop of their fiery third EP, WILD, the multinational-talented group arrived in the UK capital ready to prove that their viral success is built to scale. Powered by infectious tracks like the playful “PINKY UP,” the Ed Sheeran-co-written anthem “Animal,” and the unapologetically bold “Hootie Frutti,” WILD leans into something entirely untamed and euphoric. Translating that maximalist pop production and razor-sharp choreography to an arena scale is no small feat, but if anyone was going to pull it off effortlessly, it was KATSEYE.
Walking into Night 1, however, carried a bittersweet edge. Knowing that Sophia and Manon were sitting out this leg of the tour to take some much-needed time off meant the stage dynamic felt a little different. While their absence was deeply felt by everyone in the building—and fans were sending all the love and best wishes their way—the remaining four members stepped up and did an absolutely phenomenal job. Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae worked twice as hard to carry the torch, holding down the choreography, filling the arena with their vocals, and proving the immense depth of their talent.
As the lights dimmed and the first heavy beats of the opening track echoed through a packed-out O2 Arena for Night 1, it was clear: KATSEYE weren’t just playing a show; they were claiming their moment. But just before the show started, I couldn’t help but notice that the arena was full of young girls with their families. I was actually very surprised that KATSEYE had left such an impression on such a young generation; it’s a true testament to how music and art can shape people at any age. I was also pleasantly surprised to see them all dancing to KATSEYE songs while waiting for the group to start performing.
The night kicked off with Act I and an intro that welcomed KATSEYE onto the stage. The fans went WILD when they showed up! The quartet started the show with the latest title track, “Hootie Frutti,” which had incredible energy, followed by “Internet Girl,” which kept the momentum going until we had a slight mood change with “That Way,” featuring very fun and entertaining choreography.
KATSEYE took a moment to interact with the fans and introduce themselves. They were so happy to be back in London and welcome everyone to the show. That also made me take a closer look at their outfits, which were insane! I loved the theme—it perfectly captured the girl power vibe.
The show then continued with the iconic “Touch,” which featured a very fun arcade graphic on the back screens. “Mean Girls” was up next, bringing another shift to a more empowering vibe. Then came Daniela’s dance solo: she first interacted with a lucky fan picked from the audience who danced a bit of “Gabriella,” after which Daniela handed her a red rose. Daniela then showcased her amazing dancing skills with the help of the dancers on her solo stage. It was incredible!
The girls then reunited on stage to perform “Gabriella” with an extended dance break, followed by everyone’s favourite “PINKY UP,” complete with another dance break and a DJ mix by Morgan. This led straight into Megan’s dance solo set to the notes of “PINKY UP.” What a way to close Act I.
After a short VCR, Act II brought a costume change and started with the iconic “Animal” and “Tonight I Might.” KATSEYE took another moment to interact with the fans, sharing that this was the biggest and loudest crowd they had played to so far and that they were completely blown away.
The show continued with “I’m Pretty” and “Time Lapse,” during which Yoonchae expressed her excitement at being able to sing in Korean for this song—it was so meaningful for her. It was also so sweet to see the group walking out onto the arena floor to get closer to the fans.
The vibe shifted back to the main stage with “Gameboy,” such a fun and playful track, which then led into Lara’s solo stage with “Unloveu.” It was very emotional for Lara, as she wrote the song when she was 16 and shared her wish that it might help other people through a breakup.
The girls then joined Lara on stage to finish the song together, which was so touching. Up next was “My Way”—the live version actually made me like the song even more. The group continued with “Bel Air,” which led into Yoonchae’s dance solo, followed by “M.I.A,” closing out the second act.
Act III, the final act, opened with the song that started it all, “Debut,” followed by a shortened version of “ICONIC BY MISTAKE.” It was time for goodbyes, but you can’t miss the traditional group picture with the fans… though wait, the show wasn’t over yet! The viral hit “Gnarly” was the final song, and what a way to close the night!
As the final notes of “Gnarly” faded and the girls waved their final goodbyes amidst a sea of glowing lightsticks, it was impossible not to smile. Sure, London missed Sophia and Manon on this run, but Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae didn’t just fill those spaces—they set the entire arena on fire. Leaving The O2 into the cool London night, one thing was crystal clear: KATSEYE’s viral magic isn’t just a moment on a screen; it’s a very real, unstoppable live phenomenon, and they’re only just getting started. London is already ready for round two!
Photos courtesy of Rahul Bhatt.
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