Energy Unleashed: Aespa Brings the Drama to the Bay Area!
By. Pranav Chittharanjan
After last performing in the Bay Area at Outside Lands 2023, Aespa, the four-member girl group under SM Entertainment, made their return on January 30, 2025, for the second stop of the North American leg of their SYNK: PARALLEL LINE tour at the Oakland Arena. The venue was packed to the brim, with every section selling out within days of ticket sales going live. As a devoted MY (Aespa was my #1 Spotify artist in 2024), witnessing thousands of fans sharing the same excitement was thrilling. But this should come as no surprise—after all, as the girls say in "Better Things", “You can only see me at our sold-out shows.”
Aespa, short for “Avatar x Experience”, debuted in 2020 with their hit single "Black Mamba" and quickly captured global attention with their unique AI concept, powerhouse vocals, and eye-catching visuals. The diverse group of 4 consists of Karina (South Korea), Giselle (Japan), Winter (South Korea), and Ningning (China), each bringing their own flair to the group’s sound and performances.
The show began right on time just a few minutes after 8 pm with “Welcome to My World” played as the intro with a striking visual film. The concert then officially kicked off with "Drama", setting a fiery tone that had fans screaming from the very first note. This high-energy opener was followed by "Black Mamba", the song that started it all for Aespa, bringing a wave of nostalgia as MYs chanted every lyric. They then transitioned into "Salty & Sweet", a sultry and groovy performance that highlighted their ability to seamlessly switch between different musical styles and moods.
After a quick outfit change, Aespa returned with the internet-famous Su-Su-Su-"Supernova", igniting the crowd as they shouted along to Karina's iconic “Body Bang” line. "Mine" soon followed, performed within a striking metal cage structure that created a unique visual experience and immersive camera movements. These performances highlighted Aespa’s futuristic aesthetic, keeping the audience mesmerized. Afterward, the members took a moment to introduce themselves, connect with their MYs, and hear the coveted Bay Area bark before launching into "Die Trying", a Netflix OST for Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver in collaboration with TOKiMONSTA. This was followed by the playful energy of "Flights, Not Feelings" and the viral summer hit and full English song, "Better Things".
One of the most anticipated moments of the night was the solo performances. Leading up to the tour, these stages had been widely teased across social media with clips from the Asia tour leg, building massive excitement among fans. Each solo was carefully designed to highlight the unique strengths of its respective member, and after overwhelming demand from MYs, SM Entertainment officially released the digital tracks on streaming services last October. Notably, the solo songs are also over 90% in English, a clear reflection of Aespa’s dedication to their international audience.
Giselle was the first to take the stage, delivering an unexpected and jaw-dropping performance of "Dopamine". Her commanding aura and sharp choreography left the entire arena in awe. Even days later, I find myself replaying her moves in my head—it was that impactful. As a straight male, I am by no means the target audience for her song but even I feel empowered after hearing it live.
Next up was Karina, whose stage was nothing short of magnetic. Performing "UP", she completely owned the moment, demonstrating her fluid dance moves and precise execution. Her solo had gained so much traction online that she even released an official performance video, and it now stands as the 3rd most popular Aespa song on Spotify. Seeing it live only cemented why it has resonated so strongly with fans.
Ningning’s playful energy was on full display in "Bored", a track that perfectly balanced attitude with charm. Her natural ability to connect with fans was evident in every glance and gesture, making each lyric feel personal. With its R&B influences and laid-back vibe, "Bored" became a standout moment, leaving MYs swaying and drawn in by her effortless charisma.
Finally, Winter closed out the solo section with a mesmerizing rendition of "Spark". As a huge Winter stan, I was most excited to see her solo and she did not disappoint. She began the performance behind a white curtain, her silhouette adding an air of mystery before the lyrics. The song's EDM-esque beat had the crowd jumping, and Winter even pulled off a clever delayed beat drop, reminiscent of Lisa’s "Money" at Coachella 2023 or Beyoncé’s "Energy" at the 2023 Renaissance Tour. The unexpected twist had fans on edge, proving her ability to command the stage and keep the audience engaged.
Dressed now in hot pink hoodies, the energy skyrocketed again with "Spicy", a crowd favorite that had everyone dancing and took over Summer 2023. This was followed by "Pink Hoodie", a fan-favorite B-side from their newest album Whiplash, and a remix of "Hold on Tight" from their Tetris soundtrack. The members then delivered an uplifting and captivating performance with "Live My Life" (one of my personal favorite soft B-sides along with "Bahama"), followed by the anthemic "We Go", a Pokémon OST, keeping the crowd engaged and the excitement alive.
A highlight of the night was Naevis’ virtual solo stage for her unreleased song “Done”, blending Aespa’s AI concept into their live set. We've seen Naevis throughout Aespa's musical journey, particularly in the "Welcome to My World" track but this was a first to hear her perform live. Her sound combines the best of all 4 members and the visuals/productions of the video stage were NEXT LEVEL (pun intended).
The girls returned to the stage for the final stretch of the concert and kept the momentum strong with 4 back-to-back high-energy songs all dressed in a sleek all-black outfit similar to the Whiplash music video. They opened with "Whiplash," the hard-hitting title track of their latest comeback, igniting a surge of excitement through the arena. The energy only escalated with "Set the Tone," a fan-favorite performance that blew up online due to its fierce choreography. The crowd went wild as they transitioned into "Next Level," a song that has become synonymous with Aespa’s dominance in K-pop, as fans roared every lyric, fully immersed in the moment. The night concluded with the explosive and highly anticipated rock version of "Armageddon", leaving MYs with an unforgettable finale.
Just when fans thought the night had come to an end, Aespa returned to the stage for a final encore. The encore kicked off with "aenergy", setting a vibrant and nostalgic mood. The energy remained high as the girls performed "Just Another Girl", and finally, wrapped up the night with "Life’s Too Short", leaving MYs with a heartfelt message and an emotional send-off.
Finale
As a heartfelt finale, the group took a photo with the audience, with each member approaching the camera to blow a kiss goodbye, sending MYs into a frenzy of excitement. Keeping with their tour tradition, Aespa personalized their farewell by asking each city to chant a local phrase. For the Bay Area, it was the unmistakable and rowdy Bay Area bark mixed with a bit of solo freestyle dancing, a perfect way to close out a night to remember.
Aespa will wrap up its North America leg in Chicago on February 15 before heading to Europe in March to complete the final stretch of the tour. With their continued success, I predict that Aespa will have a major comeback later this fall, and fingers crossed, they’ll return to California next year as part of the 2026 Coachella lineup.
As leaders of the 4th Generation of K-Pop, Aespa is setting the standard with their top-tier music and captivating stage presence. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them as they continue their meteoric rise to global stardom.
