P1HARMONY at EagleBank Arena
By Sonya Lee
[P1ustage H: MOST WANTED] Show Opening; MICHAEL H KIM
On September 29th, P1HARMONY (also called: P1H) made their way to George Mason University’s very own EagleBank Arena. This is the second U.S. stop on their ongoing fourth world tour, [P1ustage H: MOST WANTED]. The magic started thirty minutes prior to the show, as the audience erupted in cheers when the opening act, AMPERS&ONE, took the stage. As I had just walked into the arena and was not prepared for itto start so early, I ran to my seat to catch their set. Each of the seven members beamed energetically with every step they took as the fans exploded in cheers. Since their set was only thirty minutes, they quickly but steadily made their mark. The music blasted as they hyped up the crowd through theircombination of visuals, choreography, and vocals with their songs “That’s That” (LOUD & PROUD, 3rd Mini-Album) and “Broken Heart” (ONE HEARTED, 2nd Single Album).
After two songs, the group presented their personalities with small self-intros, which allowed fans to get a glimpse into a group they might not know. Kamden (leader of AMPERS&ONE) raised the excitement as he asked the crowd to scream into their next songs. The audience was electrified as AMPERS&ONE boosted the energy with “Seesaw” (LOUD & PROUD, 3rd Mini-Album) and “Kick Start” (WILD & FREE, 2nd Mini-Album). The final hurrah was given by Jiho (member of AMPERS&ONE) as the group ran back to the center stage and took their final bow. As the opening act closed out, the crowd was buzzing with more excitement before P1HARMONY took the stage.
The fans did not need to wait long as the lights dimmed, the projectors opened the scene, and the fog machines worked their magic. Since P1HARMONY’s lore is linked with each member having superpowers, the VCR (pre-recorded videos) showcased the members in space, displaying their range of abilities as their spaceship was breaking apart. The screen then opened, revealing the group, the spotlight shining down on them. Immediately, the screams broke the barriers of sound as the members performed their first song, “Black Hole” (HARMONY: ZERO IN, 4th Mini-Album).
The first half of the show was a futuristic theme, representing the aftermath of the first VCR, leaning into the space and superhero concept of the group. After a breathtaking run through, the group closed out with a second VCR, where the group spoke in an alien/space-like language. As the group arrived on a new planet, the fog and sound of rainfall transitioned the scene to a new budding life, a new star shining bright. Enchanted by the lights, fog, and reverberating instrumentals, the audience did not have time to read the riddle that appeared on the screen as gasps were replaced with screams for the second half of the show.
The second portion included each of the members as they performed solo stages and some song covers of their choosing. Jiung opened the second half by flying across the stage with his upbeat “Uptown Funk” (original by Mark Ronson) cover. Keeho followed as the confetti dissipated to show his model walk with “Phresh Out the Runway” (original by Rihanna). Darkness filled the room until the spotlight found Soul as his body articulated in the smoothest transitions during his dance break.
Intak does not allow fans to take a breath as his voice articulation blows everyone away with his cover of “Good Kisser” (original by Usher). Combined with his range as a singer were his clean dance moves, which he later admitted he was a bit shy about as the lights shined so brightly that he felt everyone’s gaze on him more than ever. The arena was high in spirit as the fans already seemed to know what was going to happen next.
Jongseob’s rap of “Sticky” (original by Tyler, The Creator) got the crowd pumped and chanting along as the camera panned into the audience capturing the enthusiasm. To close out, sparklers faded as Theo riffed his guitar getting the fans ready to jump along, with his rendition of “What’s Up?” (original by 4 Non Blondes).
[P1ustage H: MOST WANTED] Theo, guitar solo (What’s Up?, Original by 4 Non Blondes); MICHAEL H KIM
Though it is still unclear if this event happened or not, Keeho mentioned, he went on a stroll with Soul and Kamden (AMPERSON&ONE member). The reason this was questioned (and got the fans laughing along) was the confusion in Soul’s eye as he asked Keeho what he meant. To which Keeho replied, “It happened, just go with it”. Throughout the night, the group asked more questions about how George Mason University (thanks for the shout out!).
If P1eces were not jumping earlier, they sure were when asked if there were any GMU students in the crowd, the benefits of attending GMU, and more. Keeho made a mention of how arriving on campus made him wish he had gone to school (he became a trainee after high school), which got a couple of giggles from the group. The more Keeho gushed about Fairfax, the more P1eces became invested in hearing his thoughts. From his short time in Fairfax, he called the neighborhood “boujee” from the scene of large houses he saw from the drive to the arena.
By the end, the energy never stopped, as the screen asked the fans to help save the “unstable life” from the previous VCRs. The encore screen lit up with fan cams; a short moment where a random P1ece would be shown on screen and dance along to one of P1HARMONY’s songs. As each fan had their screen time, the arena burst into cheers, hyping whoever was on screen. Usually, a group would only have one encore stage, but the group wanted the fans to get their money’s worth and added a second encore, causing double the dancing and jumping.
From a fan’s perspective, I was looking forward to hearing their new songs “EX” (EX, 1st English Album) and “Dancing Queen” (EX, 1st English Album). When these songs were performed, I had the instinct to dance along like it was second nature. Fans seemed to scream the loudest during some of the group’s most iconic songs, “Pretty Boy” (DUH!, 8th Mini-Album), “SAD SONG” (Sad Song, 7th Mini-Album), & “Killin’ It” (Killin’ It, 1st Full Length Album). This is actually my second time seeing them, and compared to then and now, they always give it their 110% in their energy.
The highlight was definitely the group’s energy. Due to an injury, Jiung couldn’t join the group on their previous tour (P1ustage H: UTOP1A). With his return to the stage this tour, the fans could truly see his happiness glow in every step he took throughout the show. If not through his actions, then his words on what this tour means to him, “This tour is about chasing the most wanted, but we want to be your most wanted”. This reached the heart of P1eces, who were elated to see him back on stage again.
Adding to the energy was Theo’s mischievous actions of throwing confetti to add to the mood, Intak going around all corners of the stage to interact with P1eces, Soul jumping around the stage while hyping the crowd, Keeho pulling people in with his charismatic charm, and Jongseob expressing his gratitude with each dance.
After an eternity of jumping, piles of confetti, and fog filling the arena, the group left final parting words to P1ece. Their gratitude for everyone who attended as the fans sadly waved goodbye. As the fans flooded out of the arena, there were talks of high spirits but aching feet as well (in a good way). After all, it wouldn’t be a P1HARMONY concert without a lot of jumping (definitely not a pun… JUMP, HARMONY: ALL IN, 6th Mini-Album).
[P1ustage H: MOST WANTED] P1HARMONY Selfie Time; MICHAEL H KIM
Overall, the night had me left with so much dopamine. I swayed to the heartfelt “Stupid Brain” (EX, 1st English Album), danced along to “Do It Like This” (DISHARMONY: FIND OUT, 3rd Mini-Album), and sang along to “DUH!” (DUH!, 8th Mini-Album). P1HARMONY thrive off of chaotic energy off each other while giving it their all when it comes to vocals, rap, choreography, or connecting with P1ece. All these aspects compacted into a concert, calling for a supercharged concept of superheroes and a reflection of a group of friends having fun. I hope there may be new P1eces after attending the show, or Andears (AMPERS&ONE fandom name). Both groups are truly a wave of unstoppable chic energy, and I would love to see them again.
