Twice at MetLife Stadium review: All female K-Pop group makes history, entertains
Twice is misleadingly named.
The all-female K-Pop group, which played to a near-sellout audience Thursday, July 6 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, doesn't have just two members.
There are nine. Plus, there's about a dozen backup dancers and a live band. With all this humanity on stage, one might expect their show to be a confusing spectacle of pop songs and troupe dancing.
Yet, Twice has it figured out. Thursday's show, part of the group's “Ready to Be World Tour,” was a cohesive experience full of more than enjoyable pop songs, personality and panache.
You felt like you just made a few new friends. Chaeyoung is a free spirit who loves to play an acoustic guitar; Jeongyeon is a bit of a rebel; and Nayeon likes to take charge. She quieted the audience when the group asked the crowd about things you only do in the dark.
That's about as racy as this crew gets, thank you. The costumes ranged from clipped formal wear to denim ensembles — not too much skin but not prudish, either.
The group, formed 2015 in South Korea, preaches positivity and self-respect.
“I shine the most when I am me,” read a title card on one of the group’s in-performance videos.
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The show was divided up into musical segments, and group members would intermittently address the crowd in halting English or Korean, which was translated. Twice performed a lot of cover songs, including “Done for Me,” written by Rumson music star Charlie Puth. Tzuyu did the honors.
Jeongyeon, no retiring waif, performed the Lizzo hip-hop pop song “Juice,” and added a solo on a recorder for good measure. A bulletin announcement stating “Jeongyeon news” flashed on the screen during her performance. She's one of the group's lead singers and has a big voice and big personality.
On the topic of big things, the Twice stage screen was massive and vivid. It spanned the width of the field and rose to the almost touch the upper section at MetLife. The visuals were striking and clear.
The choreography was relaxed and fluid. The dancing didn't take centerstage, but group members were in constant motion, and always seemed to hit their marks.
Group members noted something different for this tour — a live band. The instruments enhanced songs that learned toward arena rock, like “Queen of Hearts,” “Cry For Me,” and “Fancy.”
The show made history — it was the first time a female K-Pop group headlined MetLife Stadium. Another female K-Pop group, Blackpink, comes to MetLife for two shows, Aug. 11 and 12. As for Twice, their next show is July 9 in Atlanta and then they head to Asia and Europe.
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Twice promised a new album and a return to MetLife after more practice to make the show better. They seem to have this big stadium concert thing down quite nicely.
Twice MetLife Stadium setlist
Set Me Free
I Can’t Stop Me
Go Hard
More & More
Moonlight Sunrise
Brave
Try
Done For Me
New Rules
Move
7 Rings
Feel Special
Cry For Me
Fancy
The Feels
My Guitar
Nightmare
Juice
Pop!
Who Am I?
Queen of Hearts
Yes Or Yes/What Is Love?/Cheer Up/Likey/Knock Knock/Scientist/Heart Shaker (medley)
Alcohol-Free
Dance The Night Away
Talk That Talk
When We Were Kids
Crazy Stupid Love
Scandal
Like Ooh-Ahh
Firework
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Twice at MetLife Stadium review: K-Pop group makes history, entertains
