When I saw back in July that “global girl group”/HYBE x Geffen dream collaboration KATSEYE was coming to The Anthem in DC on their first concert tour (The Beautiful Chaos Tour), I had initially hoped to document the performance with my DSLR camera at the ready (my usual MO). However, as it would have it, an amazing opportunity to pivot from lens to pen presented itself! KATSEYE’s sold out show last night was everything a fan — an EYEKON — could hope for: K-pop concert fandom authenticity coupled with the intuitive breadth of international recognition.
This sweet combo IMO elevated KATSEYE’S concert experience to a whole other level at The Anthem on Nov. 24.
So let’s back up — yes, I watched the 2023 Netflix reality show/documentary, Popstar Academy: Katseye — a few times. I feel, like many fans, that I too witnessed the group members’ individual journeys to stardom. From Dream Academy to KATSEYE, we applauded the group’s diversity both in background and training, adding all the demanding trials and tribulations that make (especially) K-pop groups ultimately so solid and resilient — but in less than half the time — work!
As I waited in the merch line to get gifts for my loved ones, I chatted to fans as they told me about the bracelets they crafted to give out to fellow fans, debated whether to splurge and get the collective light stick, and/or the adorable leopard print blanket, or the cherry dice key chain catered specifically to each city. They pointed out notable executive gurus like Jay Ihn (Head of Creative Production for HYBE (BTS/Le Sserafim) x Geffen (Olivia Rodrigo) by the soundboard, finalizing sound, video, and light prep for the show…. There was definitely a sincere vibe of community, love, and joy that resonated throughout the venue. People of all ages, ethnicities, and a rainbow of personal identities gathered together for 90+ minutes, to celebrate both the group that represented them, and each other.
The show was presented in three acts, with vibrant videos and visualizers before, after, and in-between the show to keep fans engaged and communicating about the group. Act I: CHAOTIC, appropriately began with “Debut,” KATSEYE’s first release back in June 2024. There were complimentary dancers alongside the group — Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung, respectfully — and the concert heated up from there as they showcased their talents and strutted in their Y2K-inspired outfits. Megan was truly speechless as the crowd cheered during her intro monologue. Hits like “Gameboy” and the brand new unreleased song, “Internet Girl” (only streaming at the moment), were among the faves of the night, whereas podcaster Zoe Ellington comments on her TikTokTrending how the song reflects the dysfunction of a “Barbie Pink Dystopia,” and how the viral lyric/meme “Eat Zucchini” embodies diet culture as “satire wrapped in a chant that sounds like a cheerleader who hasn’t slept since 2019.” Act I ends with the gorgeously melancholic “Gabriela,” where Daniela shines with both her dance and vox brilliance.
Watch the official music video for “Gabriela” by KATSEYE on YouTube:
Preceding Act II: BEAUTIFUL OR CHAOTIC?, there were video recaps of the groups journey to the present — TBH I loved seeing Popstar Academy: Katseye contestant Emily Kelavos get roars from the crowd when we were reminded of her silly giddiness, yet formidable dancing prowess. BEAUTIFUL OR CHAOTIC? included songs such as “Girls Don’t Like,” “All the Same,” and “Time Lapse” (Yoonchae was tearful and grateful she gets to sing in her native Korean on this one). The video engineers incorporated cool and delightfully sinister motion-blurred graphic backdrops of the group during their Windy Wagner cover of “Monster High Fright song,” and Act II ends with the defiant anthem “Gnarly,” (“I’m the Sh*t, I’m the Sh*t”), and the raw energy of “M.I.A.” Manon quipped, “Have you ever been ghosted… ask KATSEYE, we love to go M.I.A.!”
The encore: INCOMING CALL consisted of their breakthrough single, “Touch,” and an extended version of “My Way,” which included a singalong plus crowd graphics on the screen. KATSEYE thanked all the dancers, techs, staff and most of all, audience. The group wore their own merchandise as a gentle wink for fans to perhaps take home a memento or two. Sophia shouted, “DC, your energy is amazing!” When it was time to go, the group waved goodbye, and a stage cam followed their descent beneath the platform as they blew kisses and sent hand hearts through the screen.
After finally witnessing the fruits of their rigorous labors last night, I’m confident that KATSEYE will be around for a good while, hopefully with two Grammys under their belt next year. They are currently nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Performance for “Gabriela.”
Here are a few photos of KATSEYE performing live at The Anthem on Nov. 24, 2025. All pictures by Photos by Rahul Bhatt — courtesy Interscope Capitol Publicity.
