[Concert Review] STAYC GIRLS, IT’S GOING DOWN in San Jose! North American Tour: "STAY TUNED"

Photo Cr. Megan Kan // KpopWise

The Korean Girl Group STAYC is hitting the road once again on their second North American tour — STAY TUNED TOUR! Visiting cities in Asia and Europe earlier this summer, the group is touring cities in America such as Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, Irving, Atlanta, Rosemont, National Harbor, Boston, New York, and Toronto this Fall! The band debuted on November 12, 2020, under High Up Entertainment with their first single album, Star To A Young Culture (which also forms the acronym of their group name). The group consists of Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, and J. Since debuting five years ago, STAYC has been busy releasing a variety of records, touring, and now, they’re finally back in America for their second tour.

You may have heard past hits such as “ASAP” or “Stereotype,” which gained popularity upon release. Their newest single, “I Want It,” released in July 2025, was introduced as a vibrant summer anthem.

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On October 5th, the band arrived at San Jose Civic to meet Swiths (their fandom name) and to perform once again. From the very beginning, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation on that Sunday evening. As the lights dimmed, the show kicked off with one of their title tracks, “BEBE” — an EDM-pop song driven by heavy bass and sharp beats that had the crowd roaring with adrenaline. This was followed by “1 Thing” and “Poppy” — a powerful trio of songs to announce that STAYC was here to throw a party in San Jose.

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The night unfolded with STAYC proving themselves as five-year veterans in the music scene, drawing visible support from U.S. fans on this second tour. With every K-pop show, there’s always curiosity: can the group stand out in a landscape filled with immense talent and a familiar formula (rappers, vocalists, dancers, leaders, a cute image, etc.)? STAYC showed that their cultivated skills continue to grow and that their unique artistry is one of a kind.

From the precise arm movements and emotional vocals in “Beautiful Monster” to the confident charisma of “Icy Cheeky Thang,” which featured powerful formations and teamwork, each song told a different story of who STAYC is.

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A Moment for the Solo and Unit Performances:

• Sieun, Seeun, and J performed “Find,” showcasing feminine and sensual choreography paired with blended harmonies.
• Isa delivered a touching solo with “Rose,” serenading fans from a chair before rising to perform expressive choreography to the pop ballad.
• Yoon and Sumin teamed up for the duet “Fakin,” a band-style ballad with an emotional powerhouse chorus. Engaging with mic stands before crossing the stage to interact with fans, the pair struck a balance between individuality and synchronicity.

These performances allowed each member to shine on their own while demonstrating the group’s cohesive artistry. During the post-performance talk segment, the members expressed heartfelt gratitude.

“It feels like a party tonight in San Jose,” one member said. “We’re thankful you don’t just sing along to our title songs but know our unit songs as well.”

Fans erupted in loud agreement.

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As the show continued, crowd reactions made it clear which songs hit hardest. While the audience was consistently loud and passionate, here’s some moments that stood out. “Young Luv,” a B-side from their third EP, drew thunderous screams, especially during its powerful vocal sections. Their latest title track, “I Want It,” was met with equally intense energy — aided by the group teaching fans the chant parts during the performance. Member Sieun, in particular, received a big reaction for her rap verse.

Surprisingly, the biggest fan favorite of the night may have been “Run2U,” a title track from their third EP. Earlier in the show, members asked the crowd which song they wanted next, and fans shouted “Run2U” — which the group acknowledged but cleverly saved for later in the set. When the moment finally arrived, the entire venue erupted. Fans sang along, chanted, and cheered louder than they had all night.

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Watching STAYC perform, several things were clear. Maybe it was the way fans loved them so passionately. Maybe it was their balanced skill sets — all six members equally strong in both vocals and dance — or their distinct individual charms. But regardless of whether an artist is in a big or small venue, what we want to see and experience most is if true star power shines through. 

Joy on stage can’t be faked — and for STAYC, that joy was genuine. It matched the energy of the fans who came to see them, proving that more than just a good setlist or outfit matters. The connection between artist and audience is what makes a performance memorable — and on this night in San Jose, STAYC truly delivered.

Photo Gallery link

All photography by Megan Kan @melodybymegan