Hush Nili, Smiling Politely

If ever the YouTube Music awards came back and provided the opportunity to declare YouTube as their best friend, I can assure you that the majority of my family would like Twice’s Chicago Lollapalooza set to grab a gong

Last week, we watched Twice’s full performance several times every day. As artists and performers, Twice are unparalleled.

I may be wrong but I think Twice’s current world tour is the first to fully utilise 360° staging (not that I’ve yet been to a Twice concert TT) so I found the use of this staging on a more classic stage arrangement to be really fun.

There must be songs on the setlist Twice have performed to death, yet the energy and enjoyment all 9 of them give off would only give the impression that these songs are in their blood. They can perform the routines as easily as blinking and sing as easily as breathing, yet they’re clearly having so much fun.

The energy throughout the Lollapalooza set is electric and the velocity they reach with their polished songs is truly astounding.

If I had to highlight any standouts, it would be the trio of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, and Jihyo. Something about their performances made it abundantly clear that they’re born for this, that I shouldn’t ever get frightened by songs that sound like One Spark because Twice couldn’t possibly disband because that would mean NaJeongJi couldn’t perform like this again.

Nayeon is effervescent, as much as it must pain you to hear this. Have you ever seen her smile? And have you ever not smiled in response? I know seeing her smile has never failed to make me smile. Plus she’s excellent at what she does.

Jeongyeon really holds her own in a live performance and, whilst knifelike performing was still the top brag back when Twice debuted, her propensity to hood around and really feel the energy of the venue makes for a riveting performance. Also, I can’t not mention Jeongyeon’s appearance. Sure, she debuted in the era of “well, we gotta have a member with short hair in this GG” but she really needs to give long hair a longer chance more often. Whoever did her extensions for Lollapalooza deserves a Nobel prize or something because the goddess hair really suited her. Not only that but the makeup artist should get a prize too. Jeongyeon is incredibly pretty already but the makeup at Lollapalooza was beyond flattering. Goddess hair, goddess face. She looked phenomenal.

Jihyo’s energy when dancing is unmatched, how on earth does she do that whilst singing like that? I just love her, she’s always been one of my Twice biases since debut and she’s really blossomed into an amazing performer. Also, I would love to see the long wavy hair for a full promotional cycle too.

The only drawback of the set was the Kpop Demon Hunters drone show but I’ll forgive them for that because with the way they were performing every song the members needed to have a rest.

I did check out the IVE Germany and France Lollapalooza sets too but I cried seeing Yujin’s stressed and confused face when they had sound issues in Paris so now I can’t stop thinking about it and haven’t watched either of them since.