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| Photo Cr. Megan Kan // KpopWise |
GOT7 Alum JAY B Kicked Off his First-Ever North American Solo Tour. Having just completed his mandatory military service in early November of last year, the artist is ready to reunite with fans once again.
On November 27, 2024, JAY B released his most recent solo project, Archive 1: Road Runner, featuring the title track “Crash”—a fun, bass-heavy, electric guitar-driven song with unique beats and synths that blend smoothly with the singer’s vocal style. Lim Jae-beom, better known as JAY B, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actor. He is the leader of the South Korean boy band GOT7, part of the duo JJ Project and the sub-unit Jus2, and also a member of the R&B/soul crew Offshore under the name Def. With an extensive background in both group and solo work, JAY B has collaborated with artists such as Wheein (Mamamoo), Jay Park, Junny, and producers like Cha Cha Malone and GRAY.
On June 6th, the South Korean singer kicked off his tour with a show in San Francisco at The Warfield Theatre. Fans, excited to see the soulful artist live, organized a cupsleeve event earlier in the day—a fan gathering where attendees shared their enthusiasm ahead of the concert. VIP ticket holders also prepared for their special experience before the show such as meeting the singer for a fansign and photo op.
The concert began with opening act Tabber, who performed several songs and quickly warmed up the crowd with his passion and charisma. Fans greeted him enthusiastically, waving lightsticks and cheering as he engaged with the audience, encouraging them to make some noise and raise their hands. Tabber seemed to truly enjoy the moment, grooving along with his music and setting a lively tone for the night.
Finally, the moment arrived for the headliner. JAY B humbly took the stage, approaching the mic stand to open the show with “Baby” from Archive 1: Road Runner—a smooth R&B-pop song about the affections of falling in love. Fans cheered and waved their GOT7 lightsticks in welcome. Choosing a mellow track to open was a refreshing surprise, as most artists typically opt for high-energy openers. During his opening talk (with translation), JAY B revealed that “Baby” wasn’t originally part of the setlist, but he added it to switch things up.
Throughout the night, JAY B showcased a variety of musical styles from his discography. Tracks like “Fountain of Youth” brought a lighthearted pop vibe with a rock band feel, while “The Way We Are,” performed alongside backup dancers, featured a unique keyboard melody with synth and bass-heavy beats that had fans dancing along. “Go Up” delivered funky pop energy and highlighted JAY B’s falsetto, while his latest title track, “Crash,” put his slick, Michael Jackson-esque dance moves and charismatic stage presence on full display. The song’s bass-heavy, electric guitar-laced production with warped percussion made for a standout moment.
Fan-favorite “Switch It Up” was met with seemingly the most excitement, providing a smooth R&B moment filled with charm and rhythm, and another chance to enjoy the singer’s sharp choreography.
For the encore, JAY B performed remixes of his solo songs and a few beloved GOT7 tracks like “Thursday” and “Go Higher.” These final moments were all about letting loose—he and his dancers filled the stage with joyful energy, dancing freely and engaging with the audience through the edm remixes provided a club like atmosphere. The mood became more relaxed and playful, and it was heartwarming to see everyone simply enjoying the moment together.
As the night came to a close, JAY B, with help from his translator, shared heartfelt words with the audience:
“It’s because of you I can perform like this. I prepared to come all the way here. Personally, I wish I did better, and I just hope this was a good memory for you guys. Thank you for making a good memory for me too.”
Fans responded with loud cheers and emotional expressions of appreciation, ending the night with unforgettable memories made together. Reactions made it quite obvious how much fans enjoyed the night with the singer they waited so long to see.
