[Concert Review] 8TURN in Phoenix: From Dreams to Fire
A Return Fueled by Love
After their appearance at KCON LA, 8TURN made it clear—they wanted to come back to the U.S. And thanks to the energy and support of their fans, the Turnies, that dream became reality. Their show in Phoenix wasn’t just a stop on tour. It felt like a thank-you letter in motion.
The members were quick to show love to the crowd, noting the Arizona sunset the night before and calling it beautiful. When asked what colors represented Phoenix, they answered “orange” and “light green”—a nod to both the desert glow and the crowd’s vibrant energy.
A Flawless Opening Set
The concert opened with a one-two punch of hard-hitting tracks that set the tone for the night. 8TURN’s eight-member formation was spotless. Movements were perfectly synced, transitions were seamless, and the lighting made it easy to catch every expression. The leader’s fluent English during introductions built an immediate connection, while standout numbers like a backflip-filled dance routine and wide gesture choreo gave each member a moment to shine.
Subunits, Surprises, and Style
After a short break, the stage went dark—and then a subunit took over. This marked the group’s first-ever subunit performance, and it was incredible. Dressed in distinct outfits, they brought new energy to the stage. One member with red hair flexed for the crowd (and the screams proved it worked).
Later in the show, another subunit delivered a high-concept performance in all-black outfits, with thunder and lighting effects kicking off the set. Their sharp but fluid choreography stood in contrast to the powerful backdrop, creating one of the most memorable visual moments of the night.
Engaging the Crowd
During the Q&A segment, each member picked sticky notes from a board and answered fan-submitted questions. When asked when fans became Turnies, responses ranged from “KCON” to “since debut” to “Road to Kingdom.” It was a great way to hear from the fans and celebrate how far the group has come.
Following the Q&A, the group sang without dancing—just vocals and eye contact. The result? One of the most intimate and touching parts of the show. It was a simple idea but incredibly effective.
Dance Battles, Covers, and Total Chaos (In the Best Way)
From there, the energy shot up. The maknae line had the venue going wild, and then came a remix of “Not Like Us” that took things to another level. The entire venue was jumping, dancing, and screaming along.
Next came one of the most fun surprises of the night: a 4-on-4 dance battle between members. Using football props, high-energy choreography, and cover songs, it felt like a mini Road to Kingdom showcase. They performed ENHYPEN’s Fever and Bite Me—and while team Fever won, this writer was definitely rooting for team Bite Me.
They also performed a medley of past cover stages, including Pass the Mic (ENHYPEN) and Love Dive (IVE). These sections weren’t just filler—they were full-out performances, complete with props, formations, and costume changes. Major shoutout to their stylist team—the outfit transitions throughout the show were on point.
The Grand Finale: LEGOO and Fan Love
As the night wrapped, the group taught the audience a simple dance move from LEGOO and had everyone doing it together. Then came the full performance of LEGOO—bold, fast, but clean.
For the encore, the group returned in official merch hoodies and T-shirts. The fan service kicked into high gear—members grabbed phones from the crowd, took selfies mid-song, and interacted with as many fans as they could.
The final song wasn’t about dance or spectacle. It was a simple vocal performance with each member sharing their thoughts. And then, with a final bow, it was over.
As the leader said best:
“Phoenix has a special kind of fire.”
That fire—fueled by Turnies and 8TURN alike—burned bright all night.
