On Sunday, July 2nd, the immensely talented Korean girl group, Twice, electrified the stage in Toronto as part of their world tour, marking their debut performance in the city. The evening was a spectacle filled with captivating dance routines, enchanting vocals, and heartfelt interactions with their adoring fans. Having been together for eight years, Twice’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable—from being the first girl K-pop group to hold stadium concerts in North America to achieving ten consecutive projects on the Billboard 200 chart.
Before the show had even begun, dedicated fans eagerly lined up as early as 8 am to purchase light-sticks – a specialized item that illuminates and synchronizes to every song during the concert. Throughout the day, Onces (as the fans are known as) were seen joyfully dancing along to Twice’s music and several other K-pop groups’ songs, handing out handmade gifts, and preparing themselves for the highly anticipated concert.
Launching the show with explosive energy, the group headed out with a powerful rendition of “Set Me Free,” the title track from their latest album titled “READY TO BE,” which also serves as the name for their current tour. They then followed up with “I CAN’T STOP ME,” a fan-favourite and chart-topping hit. Each member then introduced themselves, expressing excitement about performing in Canada for the first time. They fondly recalled their music video for “LIKEY,” filmed in Canada, which had always brought them cherished memories.
Throughout the concert, each member showcased their individual talents through mesmerizing solo performances. From Dahyun’s piano cover of Colbie Caillat’s “Try” to Momo’s fierce performance of Beyonce’s “MOVE,” which included pole dancing, each member basked in their own spotlight, providing a unique glimpse into their remarkable abilities.
In the third act, Twice continued on with a medley of their well-known hits, including “YES or YES,” “CHEER UP,” and “Dance the Night Away.” Supported by a troupe of skilled dancers and musicians, the members flawlessly executed their meticulously synchronized choreography. Before the encore, the stadium cameras panned across the crowd, inviting the Onces to join in and dance along to the infectious choruses of numerous Twice songs. Each time a fan was greeted by the camera, their faces lit up, and they enthusiastically moved to the beats of tracks like “TT” and “Feel Special,” creating an atmosphere of joy and shared celebration.
For the grand finale, the group introduced a spinning wheel containing songs their Toronto fans wrote. With anticipation mounting, Twice took turns spinning the wheel and serenaded the crowd with the crowd-selected songs “Ooh Ahh” and “Celebrate.” Surprised by the enthusiasm of their Canadian fans, they exclaimed, “You guys are so lively I love it; I’m so glad we came to Canada.” For their first concert in Toronto, Twice really showcased their unwavering dedication and immense talent, and we eagerly await their return on their next world tour.