If there was a roof on London’s Hyde Park, Stray Kids would’ve blown it off by now.
Changbin, Felix, Hyunjin, Lee Know, Han, Seungmin, Bang Chan and I.N – otherwise known as K-pop superstars Stray Kids – have barely been on stage at BST Hyde Park for five minutes, and yet they’ve already managed to cram what appears to be an entire show’s worth of rap, movement, and energy into a little under two songs. There’s choreography. There’s energy. There’s pitch-perfect vocals. And from the crowd, there’s the kind of reaction that’s usually reserved for returning messiahs and trophy-winning football teams.
This might be the Korean sensations’ second-ever London show – with their first being a comparatively intimate affair at Brixton Academy back in July 2020 – but from the reception these eight boys receive, you’d think it was a homecoming.
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As they rattle through a setlist that showcases their signature dynamic choreography and infectious energy, Stray Kids seem completely at home on this (somewhat cavernous) stage.
And yet, they never once look like they’re taking it for granted. We’d defy even the hardest-nosed onlooker to deny that the palpable joy on the faces of every member as the fans cheer, stomp, clap and whistle at the close of every song was anything short of genuine. In fact, we’d defy them not to be cheering themselves; the opening one-two of S-Class and FREEZE was nothing short of electric, and if they weren’t won over by the time the band launch into a rapturous rendition of MANIAC, they sure would have been by the end of the track.
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Let’s take a moment to appreciate the musicality on show here, too.
Not only are Stray Kids backed by an impressive (and thumping) live band, but the maximalist surroundings of London’s iconic Hyde Park shows their self-produced songs for what they are: absolute bangers. Like, seriously: if you’re in need of a motivational uplift, grab the closest pair of speakers and blast out Thunderous at full volume. You’ll feel better, even if your better half does walk into your living room halfway through the song to find you moving like a semi-tipsy Hugh Grant in Love Actually. (Sorry, Mrs. One on One).
And while we’re in an appreciative mood, let’s give due credit to BST Hyde Park, too. Every year, this prime-positioned series of one-day concerts takes over London’s Hyde Park and lathers on a series of musical superstars to entertain us, the banger-loving citizens of London and beyond. It’s a gorgeous venue and a beautifully organised festival – if you’re after a star-laden day out in the heart of the greatest city in the world, you can’t go too far wrong with BST Hyde Park.
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And then, after what seems like no time at all, it’s over.
One final cheer, one last whoop, and another round of joy-filled grins from the members of K-Pop’s men of the moment; and then, Stray Kids’ biggest-ever UK show is over. It’s a triumphant night from a band who are at the peak of their powers, but nowhere close to the pinnacle of their success – we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to see where they go from here.