SEVENTEEN TAKE OVER BMO STADIUM WITH POWER AND HEART

BY: JESSE ZAPATERO

On October 16, I found myself standing among thousands of fans inside BMO Stadium, waiting for SEVENTEEN to take the stage. It wasn’t just another concert night in Los Angeles — it felt like something much more significant, almost like a reunion between the group and a city that has become an extension of their story. The energy before the show even began was electric. People were waving their Carat Bong light sticks, some shaped into hearts or spelling out members’ names, others wearing shirts from past tours. Strangers were trading photo cards, complimenting each other’s outfits, and buzzing about which solo stages they were most excited to see. It was a rare kind of atmosphere, the kind that makes you feel instantly part of a community.

When the lights finally dimmed, a wave of screams erupted so loud it drowned out the opening visuals on the massive screen. Then, in a synchronized burst of color and movement, SEVENTEEN appeared — nine of the thirteen members — opening with “Bad Influence,” a song that already felt like a statement. Even though four members were missing due to military service, the group on stage radiated unity. Each step, each gesture was deliberate but filled with personality, and the entire stadium seemed to move with them. The visuals behind them were dazzling — LEDs exploding into shapes, lightning-like flashes punctuating every beat. You could tell right away that this wasn’t just another tour stop; it was a production carefully built to tell a new chapter of their story.

They ran through their setlist with little time to catch a breath, flowing effortlessly from newer songs like “Thunder” and “HBD” into older crowd favorites like “HOT” and “Rock With You.” Every song felt like an escalation — the choreography sharper, the lighting more dynamic, the connection between members more alive. Even through the high energy, they found moments of intimacy. Between songs, the members spoke to the audience, sometimes teasing each other, other times offering genuine words of thanks. When Joshua, the member born and raised in Los Angeles, addressed the crowd, his smile carried a kind of homecoming pride. He talked about how much it meant to perform where he grew up, and you could feel the love returned tenfold from the fans who screamed his name back to him.

One of the things that stood out most about the night was how well the solo performances showcased each member’s individuality. The concert wasn’t just a reminder of how tight they are as a team — it was proof of how deeply talented each person is on their own. Dino’s solo was electrifying; his stage presence was explosive and precise, making it impossible to look away. Jun’s performance was the complete opposite — soft, dreamlike, graceful — the kind that pulls you in rather than overwhelms you. Vernon surprised everyone when he appeared with a guitar, delivering a rock-inspired performance that felt raw and spontaneous, as if he were channeling a completely different side of himself. Seungkwan’s solo was one of the most emotional moments of the night, with him seated at a piano, his voice filling the stadium in a way that felt personal even from far up in the stands. And then there was Mingyu — his charisma practically radiated through the lights, his stage part equal parts fashion show and performance art. Every solo told a story, and together they created a sense of progression — a feeling that SEVENTEEN, even ten years in, is still evolving.

Even though four members were missing — Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Hoshi, and Woozi — their presence lingered. The members on stage mentioned them throughout the show, sometimes with lighthearted jokes, other times with clear longing. There was something touching about those moments, a reminder that this group, despite the scale of their success, functions like a family. You could sense that the crowd felt it too — a mix of joy and nostalgia for what once was and what’s still to come. It gave the night a bittersweet undertone, like celebrating a milestone while knowing things will shift again soon.

The production itself was breathtaking. The stage was massive, stretching far into the stadium with multiple levels and a long runway that allowed the members to move through the crowd. The visuals projected behind them were immersive, matching the tone of each song — cool neon blues for “Super,” deep reds for “HOT,” and soft pastels for the ballads. At one point, confetti rained down in waves of color, covering the floor seats as the members laughed and pointed at the fans dancing below. It wasn’t just a performance; it felt like an exchange — the group giving everything they had, and the audience sending that energy right back.

Of course, the highlight came at the end, when the familiar beat of “Very Nice” hit and the entire stadium erupted. SEVENTEEN’s signature encore song has become more than just a track — it’s an experience. They performed it multiple times, each version more chaotic and joyful than the last. Members ran across the stage, interacted with fans near the barricade, and laughed through their exhaustion. The crowd sang along word for word, voices blending into one massive chorus that seemed to shake the venue. In that moment, it was impossible not to feel like part of something bigger — thousands of voices echoing one song, a decade of shared memories collapsing into those few minutes of pure happiness.

When the lights finally came up, and the members took their final bows, you could see how much the night meant to them. There was gratitude in their smiles, a quiet acknowledgment of everything they’ve built. It struck me then how rare it is to witness a group that still seems genuinely moved by their own success — not jaded, not distant, just thankful. As fans began to file out, some lingering to take photos or sing one last chorus, there was a shared sense of awe. I looked around at faces lit by stadium lights, at people hugging, some wiping away tears, others laughing and already planning to come back the next night.

The show wasn’t just another night of music in Los Angeles. It was a celebration — of artistry, growth, and the bond between SEVENTEEN and their fans. It was emotional, loud, and deeply personal. And as I replayed it all in my head later that night, I knew it would stay with me for a long time — one of those rare evenings where everything aligns just right, and you leave feeling lighter, fuller, and reminded of why live music matters so much.