South Korean sensation Kim Hanbin, better known as B.I, had fans going ‘BTBT’ with excitement during his first solo concert tour in Oceania.
With dimmed lights and pounding beats, Choi Raesung, also known as Millennium, took to the decks and hyped up the Melbourne crowd at Festival Hall. This was quite on brand, considering the tour is called HYPE UP. Mixing his own style of beats and EDM, he unleashed a set that rivalled a rave, pulling the Melbourne audience into a high energy atmosphere and warming everyone up for a night that would have everyone’s adrenaline racing. In true Aussie spirit, if you looked towards the back of the crowd, you could see some anticipating fans almost muzzing or throwing out a hakk (dance styles).
Powerful and commanding, B.I entered the Melbourne stage strong with his tracks ‘MICHELANGELO’, ‘BE I’, ‘ONE AND ONLY’ and ‘WATERFALL’. A stark contrast was the tender follow up song that B.I encouraged fans to join in during the chorus, to his solo debut track ‘illa illa’. As if commemorating the last time he stood on the very same Festival Hall stage, B.I reunited with his fans, collectively known as ID (BE IDENTITY). Although, this time around, he’s returned to our shores as a soloist, replacing the lingering nostalgia with new memories.
The B.I’s concert was in full throttle, as he performed hit after hit, which was received with endless screams and fan chants. The love pouring from his adoring Melbourne fans was unmatched and B.I gave it back tenfold. His high-energy performances and heartfelt interactions left the Melbourne crowd lovestruck, raving and wanting more with every beat.
Many lucky fans experienced unforgettable moments as B.I made his way down to the barricade for his more loving melodies. Getting up close and personal with his beloved Melbourne IDs, he created unique fan-cams for them by randomly taking phones from the Melbourne audience, leaving each of these many lucky patrons with something personal, special and unique.
Donning the fan decorated Australian flag as a memento of the night, B.I returned to the stage for another fan favourite, ‘COSMOS’, emitting the spirit of love and passion that had been woven in the lyrics. The energy only intensified as B.I and his dancers, Alex and Chill Dong, tossed merchandise into the crowd. Connecting once again with his fans, two lucky female patrons had the opportunity to join B.I and his dancers on stage. The catch? You must know how to dance, and these two girls ate as one freestyled and the other joined the two dancers to the choreography of the ‘BTBT’ chorus. The night grew even more magical as the venue lit up in a sea of lights during ‘Daydream’, creating a breathtaking scene of connection.
With everyone still buzzing after a full set, B.I spun the concept of a traditional encore which typically consists of two or three songs into one that was more interactive, intimate and with more than 10 additional tracks. From demo tracks to a live Killing Verse of ‘접속’, to even showcasing songs he produced with Millennium, including a performance from Millennium of his own track ‘Trance’, the Melbourne concert transformed into a celebration amongst friends where B.I had once again hopped down to the barricade and connected with fans up close for one last time.
Notably throughout the encore, B.I proudly had the Australian flag, which had been signed and personalised with messages from fans, draped over his tour banner in a heartfelt gesture. What followed next was an encore that felt less like a farewell and more like a second full set, a true a gift to his devoted Melbourne audience who weren’t ready to leave either. The night ended with many newfound memories and for those who had VIP tickets, they also experienced an intimate hi-touch with B.I before the evening concluded.
B.I’s journey from being a K-pop idol to now a creative soloist hasn’t been an easy one, but his resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft stands as a testament to both his love for his fans and his boundless creativity. Through every setback and triumph, B.I has continued to showcase his evolution as an artist.
It has been nearly seven years since B.I had last graced Australian stages, and upon this revisit, even playing in the same Melbourne venue he had stepped on before. B.I has returned stronger than ever, and he did not disappoint. Once an idol, now a powerhouse soloist, he’s captivated Aussie hearts, commanded the stage with his presence, and left many Melbourne fans, whether new or old, completely starstruck.
B.I brought his HYPE UP tour to Melbourne’s Festival Hall as part of his Oceana leg, delivering a night packed with electrifying energy and adrenaline-pumping moments. From start to finish the atmosphere was electric as B.I transformed the Melbourne venue into his very own world, leaving everyone completely enthralled
B.I performed in Melbourne at Festival Hall on April 25 as part of his HYPE UP Tour proudly presented by 131 (One Three One), Wonder and Live Planet Australia. Although the tour is now over, the show left his devoted IDs buzzing with anticipation for what’s to come.
For more information, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/shxxbi131
https://www.instagram.com/131_online
https://www.131online.net
https://www.instagram.com/wonder_co_ltd
https://thewonder.co.kr
https://www.instagram.com/liveplanet.official
Photography by Grant Alexander.
