ARTMS 2024 Moonshot Tour In Dallas, TX Review
by Britney McVey | Septemebr 10th , 2024
crowd photo | @britsdigitals
Attending the ARTMS concert at Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas on August 27th was an electrifying experience from start to finish. From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening notes of "Birth" reverberated through the venue, it was clear that this show was going to set a new standard of concert enjoyment for me.
The concert kicked off with "Birth," and the members emerged in stunning black sparkly outfits paired with sleek leather boots. The combination of their glimmering attire and the dramatic stage lighting created an almost magical atmosphere, perfect for storytelling. Through each beat, the members, HaSeul, JinSoul, Kim Lip, Choerry, and Heejin were enveloped in synchronicity and intensity. Each movement was sharp and purposeful, mirroring the song’s themes of emergence and renewal. The lyrics speak to emotional turmoil and self-discovery, and the performance truly embodied these sentiments with its powerful energy and striking musical elements. This choreography will forever remain one of my favorites from ARTMS.
After the captivating start, the group dove into a medley of hits, each performance showcasing their versatility and depth.
The first to be played was “The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” This track was a burst of playful energy, with choreography that reflected its adventurous lyrics. The dance featured intricate footwork and humorous interactions among the members, evoking a sense of journey and exploration.
“So break the twilight And the moonlight, a sign illuminating me Now, what are you waiting for?”
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“So break the twilight And the moonlight, a sign illuminating me Now, what are you waiting for?” ⋆｡°✩
The mood shifted dramatically with "Distress," a song whose intense lyrics are about continuing the journey and feeling born again. Even through the darkness, ARTMS embraces that it is now their time. The members used expressive body language and intense formations to convey the themes of hardship and resilience, creating a compelling performance that resonated deeply with fans.
As the tempo softened, "Flower Rhythm" brought a beautiful and fluid dance style to the stage. The song’s lyrics celebrate growth and transformation, and the choreography—characterized by graceful, yet mature movements—mirrored these themes perfectly. It was a moment of serene elegance amidst the high-energy performances. I had not seen the choreography of this song before the concert, and all 5 members embodied this dance so well that it made me favor this song more than I previously did. For this song, I took a fan cam of each member for their part, and my screams for them can be heard clearly throughout the video.
Heejin (crowd photo) | @britsdigitals
The first act concluded with "Butterfly Effect," where the choreography drew inspiration from the delicate and intricate nature of butterflies. The dance was marked by precise and delicate movements, highlighting the song’s exploration of how small actions can lead to significant changes. I think this song specifically connects with Loona’s “Butterfly” in that the members came from the prior group, and have reunited through ARTMS. It was a visually stunning and metaphorically rich performance.
A break in the setlist allowed the members to change into custom-made blue plaid and white outfits, reflecting their individual styles while maintaining a cohesive look. This change was not just aesthetic but also set the stage for some standout solo performances:
HaSeul took the spotlight with her solo performance of "Plastic Candy," a track with lyrics that explore fleeting joy and superficiality. Her stage presence was captivating, and her elegance and emotion matched the song’s themes perfectly. HaSeul engaged with the audience during the performance by asking for song requests. Although she forgot the first song suggested, she delighted fans by singing a snippet of "Let Me In" from LOONA, showcasing her vocal versatility and creating more personal connections with the crowd.
Heejin then took the stage, and her performance was a dynamic contrast. She began with a cover of Avril Lavigne’s "Girlfriend," delivering an energetic rendition while playing the electric guitar. The performance was a hit, highlighting her musical skills and bringing a rock vibe to the concert. Following this, Heejin performed "Algorithm," a track with themes of heartbreak and remembrance of connectivity one wishes to escape.
crowd photo | @britsdigitals
After Heejin left the stage, the Odd Eye Circle subunit, consisting of Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry, brought their own flair to the stage with two standout performances:
The trio started their performance with my favorite song of theirs, “Je Ne Sais Quoi”, which was marked by its sultry and sophisticated choreography, complementing the song’s lyrics about an indescribable allure. The high-energy track "Air Force One" featured an equally dynamic performance. The choreography was powerful and uplifting, reflecting the song’s themes of freedom and ambition.
After another costume change into pink outfits with white accents, complete with bows and tulle, ARTMS went on to deliver a series of captivating performances and covers.
The cover of Taylor Swift’s "Cruel" was a dramatic and emotional high point. The members had a fun time with choreography, allowing themselves to roam the stage and interact with the crowd more.
Performing "Stylish" and "Satellite" was a vibrant showcase of the group’s ability to blend energy and style. The girls love to connect with ORBITS (Loona fans) and did so through the performance of these two songs. As someone who got into Loona through ARTMS, it was touching to see the girls so happy to share their history.
As the concert drew to a close, the members returned in customized white tour shirts over their previous outfits, signaling the final stages of the night. They performed a selection of fan favorites, including "Candy Crush," "Unf/Air," "Air," "Sparkle," and "Virtual Angel." Each song was delivered with high energy and intricate choreography, creating a thrilling finale. The girls did a great job with this part of the evening, keeping the fans on edge and distracted from the end of the concert.
The encore performance of "Hi High" (LOONA cover) was a powerful conclusion, embodying ARTMS’ connection to the Loonaverse. One of my most memorable aspects of the evening was during this time. HaSeul took my phone and captured a video of herself singing the lyrics, whereas Kim Lip turned to face me for a selfie together. This was the first time I have had such an up-close interaction with an idol, let alone 2, and these memories are ones I will forever cherish.
Overall, ARTMS’s Dallas concert was an extraordinary display of talent, choreography, and connection with fans. The combination of powerful performances, engaging visuals, and personal touches made it a night to remember and made me an even bigger OURII than I was prior to entering the venue.
