Tomorrow X Together Brings Their “ACT : PROMISE” Tour to Chicago [Show Review]

The Gen Z Icons of K-Pop, Tomorrow X Together (TXT), kicked off their first night in Chicago at the Allstate Arena on June 5th, 2024. TXT performed two back-to-back Chicago shows on the U.S. leg of their “ACT : PROMISE” tour that spanned eight cities and included a total of eleven shows.

The “ACT : PROMISE” tour embodies the commitment to move forward together towards a hopeful future and visualizes the narrative of the band’s sixth mini-album minisode 3: TOMORROW. What sets the group apart from others is their strong storytelling concepts. The concert performances intertwined narratives from previous album releases, including The Dream Chapter, The Chaos Chapter, and The Name Chapter, appealing to nostalgia and bringing fans novelty by merging the unique storylines to a grander scale.

The first night of TXT’s Chicago show began promptly at 7:30 pm, with the quintet appearing onstage dressed in white lace hoods to a cheering crowd of MOAs, a term referring to the fans of TXT. The group began with their latest hybrid pop single, “Deja Vu,” delivering the excitement of the most recent title track straight to the audience. They followed with past dynamic hits, including “9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)” and “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” featuring Seori. The energy was palpable as fans chanted and waved their colourful MOA bongs to the rhythm.

One of the most memorable stages was the traditional Korean rendition of their “Sugar Rush Ride” performance. The group danced in hanbok with fans in hand, accompanied by traditional instrumentation. In the final chorus, the members moved in unison on a rising platform as cherry blossom confetti dispersed, enhancing the dreamy atmosphere and leaving MOAs in awe.

The setlist showcased the versatility of TXT’s discography ranging from energetic pop hits to smooth ballads and edgy pop-rock songs. The audience rode the highs of the ’80s-synth-pop-inspired “Chasing That Feeling” and setlist classics such as “Magic” and “LO$ER=LO♡ER” then flowed into another ’80s-inspired track, “Thursday’s Child Has Far to Go.”

Next was the highly anticipated subunit performance of “Quarter Life,” with Beomgyu, Taeyhun, and Hueningkai putting on an amazing show with their powerful and passionate vocals. The following subunit performance by the older members, Soobin and Yeonjun, featured the catchy track “The KILLA (I belong to you).” The song incorporates Afrobeats, demonstrating the group’s adept dance skills.

More dance-heavy tracks lead after with “Back For More” and “Tinnitus (Wanna be a rock),” showcasing TXT’s charisma and strength performing as a group. As the show continued, the mood transitioned completely as the stage glowed in bright red, leading the way for hard rock versions of “PUMA” and “Good Boy Gone Bad” and the metal-based hard rock song “Growing Pain.” TXT set the stage on fire (literally, with flames blazing from the stage) and turned the arena into an all-out hard rock fest.

Calm ensued as the stage lights turned a dark blue, and the group serenaded the soulful “Dreamer” and the wistful yet upbeat “Deep Down.” Both are B-sides from The Name Chapter: FREEFALL. The group came full circle, closing out the main set with the groovy house-style track “I’ll See You There Tomorrow,” promising a future reunion.

TXT’s encore performances included the soft and hopeful “Magic Island” and the cheerful and bright “Miracle,” symbolizing a step toward tomorrow with fans. Each show’s encore features surprise songs, and on night one in Chicago, they added “Happily Ever After” and “Cat & Dog” before officially ending the two-and-a-half-hour concert.

Overall, the concert was action-packed and meticulously planned, from the multiple outfit changes tailored to the respective song’s style to the elaborate stage setups, props, and well-timed stage effects. One of the most impressive feats was the group’s precise synchronization, strong vocals, and non-stop energy despite intense choreography and singing. TXT’s dedication to their art and fans shone through their concerts, fulfilling the promise of meeting fans where they are and giving their best for a spectacular and unforgettable night in Chicago.