Photographed by JYP Entertainment’s Violeta Alvarez ; Written by Deborah Rodriguez
ITZY’s electrifying performance at Sugar Land’s Smart Financial Centre on June 14 was nothing short of spectacular. Fans, known as Midzy, arrived decked out in their favorite ITZY merch, performance outfits, or personal best, making the venue a vibrant sea of ITZY pride. Everyone looked amazing!
This concert marked ITZY’s second show in Sugar Land since their CHECKMATE tour in 2022. Although their youngest member, Lia, is on hiatus due to health concerns, Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna delivered an outstanding performance that helped Midzy feel Lia’s absence a little less.
ITZY has been a powerhouse in the K-pop scene since their debut, thanks to their infectious charisma, powerful performances, and impressive discography. This tour, named after their latest full album “BORN TO BE,” which peaked at 62 on the US Billboard 200 chart, showcased a more mature side of the group.
The concert kicked off with a bang as ITZY, joined by their dancers and live band, performed “BORN TO BE” in stunning red metallic outfits, each uniquely styled for the members. Their energy was through the roof, and the crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers.
Following “BORN TO BE,” ITZY performed “RACER” and “KIDDING ME” before taking a break to introduce themselves to Midzy, who had eagerly awaited their return. Yeji introduced the group, and each member then introduced themselves individually. Ryujin also took a moment to introduce the live band, which accompanied them throughout the show.
After interacting with the crowd, ITZY jumped into the next set of performances, including fan favorites “Mr. Vampire,” “SWIPE,” and “WANNABE.” Fans sang along to every lyric, with some even dancing in place to “WANNABE.”
ITZY then headed backstage to change outfits while fans enjoyed a VCR prepared for the tour. The next segment featured solo performances from each member, showcasing their self-written tracks from the “BORN TO BE” album.
Chaeryeong opened the solo segment with “Mine,” displaying her incredible dance skills and vocals. Ryujin followed with “Run Away,” highlighting her edginess and vocal range. Yuna then softened things up with “Yet, but,” showcasing her unique vocals and natural charm. Yeji wrapped up the solo segment with “Crown On My Head,” demonstrating her powerful vocals and stage presence.
The group returned to the stage to perform “UNTOUCHABLE,” “Gas Me Up,” and “Dynamite,” maintaining their high energy. They took a moment to chat with fans about their solo stages, sharing how hard they prepared and how special these self-written songs are to them.
Before the next performance, Yuna hyped up the crowd by saying, “Texas is hot, but your energy is hotter!” ITZY then performed “Psychic Lover” and “Don’t Give A What,” getting playful with each other and engaging with the crowd from the stage.
One of the night’s highlights was the rock version of “LOCO,” performed with the live band and their dancers filling the stage. The energy was unmatched! The band then transitioned into “Not Shy,” causing the crowd to erupt in excitement.
After performing fan-favorite b-sides like “CAKE,” “Kill Shoot,” and “Escalator,” Midzy had their moment to shine as random fans were picked to dance to some of ITZY’s biggest hits. The show concluded with “LOVE is,” “Be In Love,” “Boys Like You,” and their iconic title track “DALLA DALLA.”
ITZY’s show was definitely one to remember. The production was top-notch, and their performance was incredible. Witnessing ITZY’s artistic growth over the years has been a joy, and we eagerly anticipate their upcoming projects and activities.