The Recap: NCT 127 Have Something to Prove on North American Tour
Newark’s Prudential Center is lit up in green — and it’s not for St. Patrick’s Day.
Everyone outside the venue is dressed in some form of neo pearl champagne, and it’s all in anticipation for K-pop group NCT 127. It’s a night a long time coming for many fans – some of whom have been camped out since the previous afternoon in pursuit of a coveted barricade spot – who have been waiting for the group since their last stateside performance three years ago.
Inside, the green tidal wave on grows and excited energy in the air is palpable. The arena is packed to the nosebleeds, glowing in a sea of lightsticks. American flags customized with the members’ faces wave in the air, and at least one fan can be heard making a dramatic proclamation: “If Mark looks at me, I’m going to straight up cry.”
The Neo City: The Momentum tour sees only six of the eight NCT 127 members venture across North America, as members Taeyong and Jaehyun were unable to participate due to their mandatory military service. Both Taeyong and Jaehyun leave big shoes to fill for the rest of the group, serving as the main rapper and main vocalist respectively. But there’s also an unspoken question hanging in the air. With them absent, will Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan still be able to deliver the high-energy performances NCT 127 is known for?
The answer, from the very first note, is undeniable: Yes. And they’re here to prove it.
Standout Performances
Gas: If a concert’s success could be judged solely by its opening song, NCT 127 chose wisely. On its own, “Gas” is a standard high energy, if not slightly one-note, boy group song. Performed live, it’s a promise and the follow-through all in one. NCT 127 says they’re going to “hit the gas,” and they do, breaking open the show with a near frenetic energy that whips the crowd up, truly going zero to sixty in mere seconds. Yuta in particular is the driver of this metaphorical car, bringing a commanding presence on stage that makes him hard to look away from.
Kick It: There’s a reason “Kick It” has become a staple for performance covers: it gets people hype. Live, however, no one does it like the originators. A fan favorite Dem Jointz production, “Kick It” is the kind of song that has fans even singing along to the instrumental. But it’s 127’s dynamic, powerful performance that steals the show, as impactful as Mark’s signature martial arts-inspired dance break.
Sticker: The first whistling note of “Sticker‘s” unmistakable flute intro sets off a reaction equivalent to a bomb going off in the venue. The song, produced by longtime NCT collaborator Dem Jointz, has long been divisive among casual listeners (and the members themselves) — its unconventional structure and strident production aren’t typical crowd-pleasers. But live? It transforms.
It’s always been a fan favorite and performed live, it’s easy to see why. It’s the kind of song that only NCT 127 can do. While the song may seem noisy at first listen, it’s a surprisingly empty production that relies heavily on the performer’s singing abilities and confidence to pull it off, both of which NCT 127 has in spades.
Can’t Help Myself: Hailing from 127’s extensive R&B catalog, “Can’t Help Myself” is a fun, lighthearted love song that shows off the group’s vocal abilities while allowing them to move around the stage more. Johnny in particular shines, his gentler baritone a smooth compliment to Doyoung and Yuta’s brighter tones. It’s a refreshing break from some of the more powerful tracks on the set list, a good segue before diving into some of the heavier ballads to come.
No Longer: While fans may have been more excited for Cherry Bomb era’s “Whiplash,” it’s Regular-Irregular’s “No Longer” that’s the true deep cut of the set list. It allows each member to shine vocally, with a gentle piano back track and a spotlight that bathes them in a soft white light as they sing. Doyoung and Haechan’s strong tenors ring out clear over a rapt crowd as they croon through the sorrowful “she no longer needs me” chorus. Jungwoo and Yuta get to have their moment in the sun too, especially with Jungwoo’s rich tone taking the bridge. Fans like NCT best when they’re singing like they’ve just gone through the most painful divorce, and the harmonious vocal layering and sheer despair they can perform prove why.
High Notes
From the moment NCT 127 took the stage, the energy was nothing short of nuclear. The crowd’s anticipation was already electric, but the group matched it tenfold — so much so that at one point, Johnny himself asked if anyone else felt the stage shaking.
The sheer vengeance they arrived on that stage with was impressive. If the fans’ anticipation pre-show was palpable, then so is 127’s hunger to prove what they can do.
Each member stepped up their game. Mark embodied his role as the powerhouse of the group, a connecting thread that leads them all together. While Johnny has become an anchor for the group, offering a solid foundation with both vocals and choreography. Doyoung, Haechan, Jungwoo, and Yuta formed a vocal line so synchronized and dynamic that you’d hardly notice two key vocalists were missing. Despite their athletic choreography, they don’t rely on their backing track, with each unique vocal color heard loud and clear. Where Doyoung and Haechan shine with high notes and ad-libs, Jungwoo and Yuta build a strong base that shows how important they are to the melodies.
But beyond technique, there was something else in the air, a quiet, almost defiant challenge. This wasn’t just another night on tour. NCT 127 performed as if daring anyone to doubt them. You thought we couldn’t do it as six? Think again.
For Fans of
Cardio.
NCT 127 doesn’t just get crowds on their feet, they get them moving too. And with a setlist of back-to-back bangers, like the intro run of “Gas,” “Faster,” “Bring the Noize,” “2 Baddies,” and “Skyscraper,” you won’t even get a moment to rest before you’re back up and jumping along.
Bring an extra water bottle, eat beforehand, and pack some electrolytes, because you’ll be leaving that show with your FitBit asking if you’d like to log that two-hour Zumba session you just completed.
Verdict
Worth every penny. Mandatory enlistment is something that affects all boy groups in K-pop, and adapting entire performances to fill two empty spaces will never be easy. NCT 127 have more than just adapted, they’ve nearly reinvented themselves. It’s a dedicated show by a group that clearly loves what they do, and got on stage ready to prove that they may be down (in size), but they’re far from out.
Recommended whether you’re a longtime fan or a casual concertgoer. Neo City: The Momentum is a must-see.
NCT 127’s Neo City: The Momentum tour continues in North America through March.
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