From breathtaking choreography to hilarious conversations about his dog and the Arizona desert, TEN transformed The Van Buren into a night that felt both spectacular and surprisingly personal.
Some artists impress you with their vocals. Others leave an impression through their dancing, stage presence, or ability to connect with an audience. Every once in a while, you come across a performer who brings all of those elements together so naturally that you find yourself completely drawn into the experience.
On Monday night at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix, TEN proved he belongs in that conversation.
Before the doors even opened, fans were already lined up around the block, many carrying NCT lightsticks and eagerly waiting for their chance to see the singer and dancer perform. Inside, the venue appeared nearly packed, and the anticipation was impossible to miss.
For fans who have followed TEN through his work with NCT and WayV, his abilities as a performer are hardly a secret. But watching him take command of an entire show on his own offered a different perspective on just how versatile he has become.
What unfolded was more than a showcase of impressive choreography and vocals. It was a night filled with humor, unexpected conversations, stunning visuals, and an artist who seemed genuinely excited to share the experience with everyone in the room.
And by the time the evening ended, The Van Buren had practically transformed into a dance club.
A Stage Built Around Movement
From the opening moments, TEN made it clear that dancing would be at the heart of the evening.
Dressed in an all-white outfit, he moved across the stage with remarkable control, transitioning between sharp, powerful choreography and fluid movements that seemed almost effortless. Every gesture felt intentional, from the smallest movements of his hands to the more physically demanding sequences performed alongside his dancers.
What made the choreography especially impressive was the coordination between TEN and the performers surrounding him.
His dancers weren't simply there to fill the stage. They were an essential part of the experience, matching his energy while helping bring each performance to life. Their synchronized movements, expressive gestures, and precise formations made even the most demanding sequences look natural.
At several points, the choreography became so tightly coordinated that it was difficult to know where to look. Every performer seemed to be contributing something to the moment.
The visual production elevated everything further.
Against their coordinated white outfits, the stage came alive with vivid floral imagery, shifting colors, and dramatic lighting. Bright pinks and oranges gave way to cool blues and deep purples, while atmospheric lighting and haze added depth to the performances.
One moment, TEN stood against a colorful backdrop filled with oversized flowers. The next, the stage was washed in blue light, creating an entirely different mood.
Rather than overwhelming the choreography, the visuals complemented it, giving each performance its own identity.
And while his dancing naturally commanded attention, his vocals were equally deserving of recognition. Even during an evening built around physically demanding performances, TEN delivered strong vocal moments, including impressive higher notes that reminded the audience he was far more than an exceptional dancer.
There was a level of confidence in the way he performed that made everything look remarkably comfortable.
But what surprised me most wasn't necessarily his technical ability.
It was everything that happened between the songs.
A Conversation About His Dog Somehow Became a Song Introduction
Concerts often follow a familiar rhythm. An artist performs a few songs, takes a moment to thank the audience, and moves on to the next part of the set.
TEN approached those moments a little differently.
At one point, he began talking about his dog, sharing stories about his puppy and explaining how his pet had even appeared alongside him in commercials.
It was an unexpected conversation, but the audience was more than happy to listen.
What started as a story about his dog eventually turned into a discussion about Phoenix itself.
TEN mentioned enjoying his time in the city before bringing up something that apparently caught his attention: the lack of trees.
He wondered why Phoenix didn't have more greenery, prompting fans to remind him that he was visiting a city in the middle of the desert.
Naturally, that led to a conversation about how Phoenix could use a little more water.
And just like that, he had found his introduction to "Water."
The transition was surprisingly seamless, turning what initially seemed like a completely unrelated conversation into a playful setup for the next performance.
It was one of those moments that would have been difficult to appreciate without actually being there.
Throughout the evening, TEN demonstrated an ability to make the audience feel comfortable, almost as though he was catching up with friends rather than speaking to a room full of fans.
He wasn't afraid to be silly, laugh at himself, or let conversations continue longer than expected.
At another point, he returned to the stage wearing a Phoenix Suns shirt, a small but memorable gesture that earned an enthusiastic response from the local crowd.
He even tried figuring out what a Phoenix pose should look like, eventually playing around with a bird-inspired gesture.
These interactions weren't elaborate productions or carefully choreographed spectacles. They were simply fun, and they gave the evening a personality that went beyond the music.
Finding Connection Between the Big Performances
As impressive as the high-energy numbers were, some of the night's most memorable moments came when TEN slowed things down.
Before performing "Lie With You," he invited the audience into a more intimate atmosphere. Fans raised their phones, creating a sea of flashlights that illuminated the venue.
After an evening filled with intense choreography and booming cheers, the softer moment offered a welcome change of pace.
During the performance, a cameraman captured close-up footage of TEN that appeared on the venue's large screen. TEN played along with the camera, making the interaction feel less like a standard concert visual and more like another opportunity to connect with the crowd.
It was a simple touch, but one that added another layer of personality to the performance.
Later, songs including "Can I Be Honest" and "IRL" kept the audience engaged, with the announcement of "IRL" drawing particularly loud screams from fans.
Throughout the show, TEN moved comfortably between different moods. He could deliver an intense dance performance, transition into a softer vocal moment, and then return to joking with the crowd without losing the evening's momentum.
That balance is not always easy to achieve.
An artist can have impressive choreography, strong vocals, and excellent production, but those elements alone don't necessarily make a concert memorable.
What makes the difference is the ability to connect everything into an experience that feels alive.
TEN understood that.
He also repeatedly mentioned next year, leaving fans excited about what might be coming next.
When the Dancers Became Part of the Spotlight
One of the most refreshing aspects of the evening was how much attention TEN gave to the people sharing the stage with him.
Rather than allowing his dancers to remain anonymous figures behind the main performer, he took time to introduce them to the audience.
And naturally, things became entertaining almost immediately.
What started as introductions turned into a playful exchange involving body rolls. The dancers joined in, the male performers followed, and eventually even the cameraman found himself participating.
The audience erupted.
It was hilarious, spontaneous-feeling, and perfectly in line with the atmosphere TEN had created throughout the night.
More importantly, it highlighted the chemistry between everyone involved in the production.
That chemistry was visible during the performances themselves. The dancers moved with confidence, complemented TEN's choreography, and brought their own personalities to the stage.
Seeing them recognized individually made the evening feel more collaborative.
TEN was clearly the center of the show, but he never seemed interested in making it feel like he was the only person worth watching.
That generosity made the performance even more enjoyable.
One Last Song Turned Into a Full-On Dance Party
By the time "OUTWEST" arrived, the crowd had already experienced an evening filled with impressive performances and memorable interactions.
But TEN wasn't quite finished.
After performing the song, the music started again.
Instead of a conventional finale, the stage transformed into something resembling a dance club, with TEN and his dancers continuing to move to the music.
One by one, the dancers had opportunities to show off their individual styles, turning the ending into an extended celebration of movement.
And just when it seemed like things might finally be winding down, the dancing continued.
The movements became more energetic, the atmosphere grew increasingly playful, and the performers seemed determined to squeeze every last bit of excitement out of the evening.
It was one of the most entertaining concert endings I've experienced in a while.
There was something genuinely satisfying about watching a show built around such precise choreography end with everyone simply enjoying the act of dancing.
Throughout the night, TEN had demonstrated incredible discipline and control as a performer. Yet the finale showed another side of that same passion: the freedom to have fun with the people around him.
It didn't need a dramatic speech or an elaborate farewell to make an impression.
The music, the dancers, and the energy in the room were enough.
For a few extra moments, The Van Buren felt less like a concert venue and more like a party that nobody wanted to leave.
TEN Is the Kind of Performer You Want to See Again
Going into the evening, I already knew TEN had a reputation as a talented dancer and vocalist.
What I didn't fully expect was how much I would enjoy simply watching him be himself.
His choreography was exceptional, his vocals were impressive, and the production gave the performances a visually captivating backdrop. But what ultimately made the night stand out was the personality behind it all.
TEN could command the stage with intense choreography one moment and spend the next several minutes laughing with fans about his dog or Phoenix's desert landscape.
He could create a beautiful moment with thousands of phone flashlights and then turn around and encourage his dancers and cameraman to show off their body rolls.
Nothing about those interactions took away from the performance. If anything, they made the music more enjoyable.
By the end of the concert, I found myself appreciating not only how talented TEN is, but how naturally he brings people into his world.
There are performers who leave you impressed by what they can do, and there are performers who leave you wanting to see what they'll do next.
TEN managed to do both.
His Phoenix performance was a reminder that a great concert isn't measured only by flawless choreography, powerful vocals, or elaborate visuals. It's also about the moments that happen between the songs, the connection between the people onstage and the audience, and the feeling you carry with you after the lights come back on.
On Monday night, TEN delivered all of that.
He came to Phoenix to put on a show, but by the end of the night, he had turned the entire venue into part of the experience.
And if his repeated mentions of next year are any indication, there may be even more to look forward to.
Photography and review by Nico Madrid for The Mikan Box.
TEN performed at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 26, 2026.
