TWICE

Seventy-eight shows, nineteen countries, and four continents may sound like a lot, but for TWICE, one of the longest-standing groups in the industry, it's just another day in the office. This Is For is their fourth world tour, but it has been their most extensive one to date, taking the nine-member girl group to places they have never performed in before, one of them being Barcelona, the stop we had the luck to attend. The group that debuted in 2015 with the K-pop classic Like OOH-AHH has been to Europe before, but in the way we are used to Europe being treated in so-called world tours, aka only three countries: always the UK, France and Germany. But this time the world tour looked more like a world tour spanning multiple countries in Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America.

Being so far in their career, there is not a K-pop fan or casual listener that doesn't know who TWICE is. The group debuted and is still active under one of the big four companies in K-pop, JYP Entertainment, and is formed by nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Dahyun and Chaeyoung from Korea; Momo, Sana and Mina from Japan; and Tzuyu from Taiwan, who are all powerhouses on their own. Across their extensive catalogue that comprises eleven studio albums, fourteen EPs and multiple solo and unit projects, they have managed to position themselves as one of the most important acts of their generation, become a staple of the peak K-pop girl group sound that ranges across genres, and be the first to receive many recognitions and achievements that have kept bringing attention to the genre, continuing the path once opened by Girls’ Generation, the girl group of girl groups.

With one of the most loyal fanbases, ONCEs, and the ability to never stop delivering songs that become instant classics as soon as they drop, their ability to maintain their reign throughout the years and the multiple changes the K-pop industry has lived through in the past decade, not only in styles or genres but also in the way it's received and perceived by the public, has never been shaken, and the proof is the attendance at all of their concerts. They have managed to sell out venues, arenas and even stadiums all over the world, and now that we had the chance to attend one of their concerts, there is no doubt why a TWICE concert is a must for every fan of the genre and for every fan of music and live performance in general.

A completely unique stage in the shape of a number 2 covers the whole length of the floor of the venues where they are performing, meaning the standing crowd gets the chance to see them up close from any point, and the seating area has a spectacular view of the whole stage plus the chance to see them just some metres away in some moments of the show. This runway-like staging allows a complete 360° view of the show, a blessing for the crowd and an extra effort for the group, as they have to adjust the choreographies to face the four sides of the venue during different parts of the songs; run from one side of the stage to the other while making it look effortless; and stay in perfect, pristine condition through the whole show, without any backstage area they could resort to in case of needing it.

A two-and-a-half-hour show under these demanding conditions, running without a single mistake and an unflagging delivery of high-energy performance, is the evidence of why experience matters and why no other group does it like them. That energy is one of the reasons why this show was so great. It must be the countless shows where they have built up their stamina, but it was mind-blowing to see them dancing so powerfully throughout the concert and completing every song with a bright smile on their faces without breaking a sweat, looking as fresh as when they started.

The stage, aside from being big, was also complex in how it was built, with moving platforms in the centre that elevated them in some instances, but they went up and down from one side to the other while singing and dancing as if they were just floating around. Special mention to Jihyo, the leader of the group and one of the biggest names in the industry. Ten years of training and ten years active in the group, being only 29, may be the reason why we've never seen someone enjoy their job on stage so much; it was a joy to see the power of her live performance. Also, the member Dahyun, who had an ankle injury and had to rest during the show, never stopped doing every choreography even when sitting. The commitment and respect for the audience K-pop idols are known for.

The setlist was well thought out, starting with the song that gives the tour its name, continuing with Strategy, the song they performed during the latest Victoria's Secret fashion show, and also including later on Takedown, from the soundtrack of the hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. During the first part of the concert, they alternated recent songs with some older ones; in the second, they each got their time to shine with solo performances of their own songs where they showcased their distinctiveness and personal styles, and in the third, they brought out some of the biggest hits that have become almost anthems of the genre, like Fancy, What Is Love?, YES or YES and Dance the Night Away.

The group never stopped interacting with the crowd, posing for pictures, giving autographs, thanking the audience many, many times and even celebrating FC Barcelona's recent La Liga trophy. They closed the show with one of their most cherished songs, Feel Special, and the surprise song that changes every country, which on this occasion was luckily a personal favourite, Alcohol-Free. The 360° big screens in the ceiling, the countless smaller screens that moved up and down through the show, and the LED floor, all full of fireworks projections, made it impossible for it not to be an emotional goodbye. This must be said: I have been to a fair amount of concerts, including some K-pop concerts, and I have never seen and heard a crowd scream as much, as loudly and as high-pitched as they did here. It was absolutely mind-blowing. If success can be measured in decibels, TWICE have the crown.