Unlike most idol groups that is envisioned in the global eye, the only Asian-band winner at the EMA 2011 for “Worldwide Act” BIGBANG pushes the benchmark of quality, originality and musical direction. Their powerful rise in the music industry is owed to their main producer, Teddy, and the leader of the group, G-Dragon. And with this, the mere 25 year-old singer, songwriter, and producer in charge for both of his team and solo activities transformed his shy self into a person most-wanted, as a convict in his own world tour stage design and theme for ‘ONE OF A KIND‘. And he did set the stage that paved way for the ultimate brilliance in the art of performance that transcends music boundaries as a soloist or a Korean musician on 15-16 June 2013 at MEIS Ancol, Jakarta, in Indonesia.
Red, silver, metallic, and full colour was fully played on display, designed and choreographed by Travis Payne and creative director Stacy Walker. YG Entertainment to have been working with Live Nation on several moments brings top names in live performance organizations and this is seen to no less. Bringing the same live band from BIGBANG ‘ALIVE’ World Tour last year, we in the audience were in for another visual and hearing treat where you get to render new arrangements for the hip-hop to mellow romantics brought to you by the one and only Kwon Jiyong. It escalated the reason for the ‘one to watch’ concert as it is arguably the largest solo K-pop genre concert ever produced in Indonesia at time, as quoted from the team from Big Daddy Entertainment, the main organizer for the event..
Up to fifteen dancers at one song, six outfit change, four collaborative songs with his guest star for the Jakarta tour, TOP, and one cool smile to cooperate for the two hours of the concert. The mood was set to mix between his first solo album, “Heartbreaker” that featured songs of “Shine A Light“, “Obsession” and “She’s Gone“, to his second mini-album featuring the title track that clearly branded his ultimate style, “One of a Kind“, “Missing You” and “Today”, the track which brought him a DJ deck on a massive studded choker-prop like on stage.
“Thank you everyone for being here today. Are you guys having fun?” greeted G-Dragon in his grey suit, after performing with crossed legs seated to the fans in the meadow of yellow. “Loving it? Enjoying it? Good to know, I’ve missed you guys so much,” his slow, nonchalant and perfect accent of English resonated the stadium with each cheer of answer. “Indonesia, it’s good to be back here!”
Bringing the mesmerizing dream come to reality, song such as “Butterfly” brought in large-sized butterfly kites that was floated by the dancers, and G-Dragon walking through the dream of their being. Seated in his high and mighty chair of chains, came the most poetic and melodious song he ever penned, ‘That XX’ with guitarist Foo to accompany the acoustic melody. A play of emotions and known to be a romantic man himself, songs
However, the powerful, stylish, wacky, and eccentric side of the dragon will always come to get us all – his latest track “MichiGO” to “Crayon” that was rearranged with “Wow Fantastic Baby”, and “The Leaders” featuring CL and Tablo on an LED screen, a pre-record act as if they were there. The favourite toy of the boys from their previous concert, the segway, was also flawlessly controlled by G-Dragon whilst singing and turning to places around the stage.
The tour was also with the same organizer in Indonesia, Big Daddy Entertainment held the concert at MEIS Ancol, the same place for BIGBANG last year. It truly brought back memories, but with a more enjoyable, and savourable one at that – strict rules for photo-taking was applied and made less ‘concert piranhas’ around to fully enjoy the live totality of the soloist – from props, to stage action, and, in his own words, ‘swag’ – G-Dragon mesmerizes the Indonesian fans once again in his own nonchalant way. Like a classical concert, the focal lies in one player and instrument. Without many talks and interactions, he continued on with his cool, and we think that it was a successful trait of how everyone wanted more and more of him, and resulting a 2-day spectacular end to ‘ONE OF A KIND’. It was more of a G-Dragon playground made just for him; the singer was in total control without being overly giving fan-service. We could see him perspiring for his running and dancing act up and down the stairs, but other than that, a very relaxed and effortless look for his style is uncompromising as the rising new legend in Asian music history.
And you the audience only have been invited to play together but not forgetting who’s the boss in the G concert – the one wearing the black cape entitled ‘BOSS‘. Just for the record, TOP wore a G ‘CREW‘ like the team of dancers.
Lights, technology, and 110% action was in pure form and introduced to the audience for spectacular visual pleasure and excitement that sets heart erratic in amazement while being close to the singer. A good thing was that it wasn’t as frenzied for the audience to get a full glimpse of the singer; he did less interaction but more musical brilliance, and that he owed to his musicians and dancers where “I want to introduce my band and dancers, so please give a hand to them!” shouted G-Dragon. Where the euphoria was not as high as all 5 members to be present, it is the greatest memory of all ‘One of a Kind’ concert goers that we have witnessed a hallmark of live performance in Indonesia, in the K-pop genre, and the journey of a Korean artist to rise into global emminence with his unforgiving standard of talent and effort.
The concert ended after two hours of big excitement. The tour continues on to two more countries to Singapore and Malaysia. Special thanks to Big Daddy for the big invitation!
Photo Credits Big Daddy and Korea.com
M/s : kenvilthomas@kpopupdates.com
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