BTS EPISODE: Jin — RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR in US and Europe

I remember when this tour was first announced, I was worried about how the Run Jin concept was going to be incorporated into the concerts. But I didn't need to worry; the concert was fucking amazing. Of course, Jin's live performances were phenomenal — flawless vocals, incredible energy — but it was also really interactive and hilarious and so much fun. It was a concert that felt completely different to any other one I'd been to — one that was so unique, and so thoroughly JIN. I know I say this for all BTS concerts, but god, I'm so glad I got tickets for this tour. 

Is it too soon to feel nostalgic over this?

Deftones and System of a Down: North American Tour 2025 in Toronto at Rogers Stadium

This has, unexpectedly, been the summer of nostalgia. Back in February, my friend Chelsea asked if I wanted to go see Deftones and System of a Down on tour this summer. Deftones, of course, has been one of my favourite bands since middle school. (I remember picking up a copy of White Pony at HMV when it was just released, and 25 years later, it remains one of my favourite albums of all time.) And while I'm not as huge of a fan of System of a Down, Toxicity was one of my most listened-to albums in high school. So I obviously agreed to go.

Deftones at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
Deftones at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
Deftones at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
Deftones at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
Deftones Set List:

1. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
2. My Own Summer (Shove It)
3. My Mind is a Mountain
4. Tempest
5. Swerve City
6. Digital Bath
7. Rocket Skates
8. Milk of the Madonna
9. Sextape
10. You've Seen the Butcher
11. Entombed
12. Hole in the Earth
13. Change (In the House of Flies)
14. Infinite Source
15. Genesis
16. Minerva
17. Engine No. 9
18. 7 Words

System of a Down at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
System of a Down at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
System of a Down at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
System of a Down at Rogers Stadium, Toronto
System of a Down Set List:

1. X
2. Suite-Pee
3. Prison Song
4. Violent Pornography
5. Soldier Side - Intro
6. B.Y.O.B.
7. Science
8. Needles
9. Deer Dance
10. Radio/Video
11. Dreaming [Breakdown]
12. Hypnotize
13. ATWA
14. Bounce
15. Suggestions
16. Psycho
17. Chop Suey!
18. Lonely Day
19. Lost in Hollywood
20. Snowblind [Black Sabbath cover]
21. Aerials
22. Forest
23. Cigaro
24. Toxicity
25. Sugar

Oh. My. God. Both of these bands have been around for over 30 years which means they are now all in their 50s, and they STILL put on a fucking insane concert. (And they all have more energy than I do.) Both Deftones and SOAD had amazing setlists last night (they played two concerts in Toronto, but actually had different setlists for each day). They were fairly well-rounded, with songs spanning all albums. (Of course, SOAD hasn't come out with an album since 2005, so it was really between old songs and even older songs.) I guess after 30+ years of performing, they know what their fans want to hear.

I've seen Deftones several times in the last 25 years, but this was actually the first time I'd seen System of a Down live — and holy shit, these guys fucking BRING IT. I would never have been able to tell that they were on hiatus for so long. (Everybody's going to the party to have a real good time, indeed!) 50,000 fans just screaming along to every single fucking word of every single song. It was honestly a sight (and sound) to behold. I had more fun than I thought I would, to be honest. I went for the sake of nostalgia and we had the shittiest seats ever, but I ended up dancing and head-banging like I was 20 years younger than I actually am. 

That having been said, Rogers Stadium is perhaps the WORST VENUE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO. Not to be mistaken for Rogers Centre, Rogers Stadium is the new 50,000-capacity stadium that was built at Downsview Park and just opened up in June. Never mind that I had to drive to the new Highway 407 subway station just to discover that the parking lot was absolutely full to the brim (to the point where people made their own parking spaces in the surrounding grass areas) so I had to drive even further to Pioneer Village subway station because I wasn't gonna risk getting towed. Never mind that after finding parking and getting to Downsview Park station, we still had to walk another 15 minutes to the actual stadium. Never mind that there are no real bathrooms at Rogers Stadium and only portable toilets. (A real fucking nightmare for a germaphobe like me, who also takes medications that are diuretics so I have to pee every fucking hour.) 

Never mind that our seats were so fucking high up that the people on stage looked as small as ants. (NOTE: THERE IS NO LOWER BOWL SEATING AT ROGERS STADIUM. 100 sections at Rogers Stadium are all the seated sections that is NOT FLOOR. So basically, the view is like 300 - 400 levels at any other stadium. We did not know this when buying tickets BECAUSE ROGERS STADIUM WAS NOT BUILT YET and therefore there was no reference for size or distance.) Never mind that our absolutely terrible seats were $200 CAD PER TICKET. I get that it's temporary (it will be demolished after 5 years), but this shitty fucking stadium — that was built as fast and cheap as possible — has the WORST ACOUSTICS EVER. Not sure if this is only for heavy rock music, but there is a GOD-AWFUL reverb — at least when sitting in the 100 sections — that is honestly insulting to anyone playing there. So, unless it's your favourite artist of all time playing there, it is absolutely not worth coming here for a concert. 

(I sincerely hope that if Toronto is a stop on BTS' next world tour, they avoid Rogers Stadium AT ALL COSTS.)

Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria: North American Tour 2025 in Toronto at Budweiser Stage

A few months ago, I was hanging out with Chelsea and Braden and we were talking about all the music we listened to in high school. All three of us — born in different years and totally different areas of Toronto, mind you — were emo kids, so naturally, both Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria came up in our conversation. I hadn't seen or really listened to either of these bands since the late 2000s, and I wondered if they were still performing live. And that's when we found out they were actually on tour. Together. And coming to Toronto. So we had to get tickets, even just for the sake of nostalgia. And we finally got to see them last night:

Taking Back Sunday at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Taking Back Sunday at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Taking Back Sunday at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Taking Back Sunday at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Taking Back Sunday Set List:

1. A Decade Under the Influence
2. What's It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?
3. S'Old
4. Error: Operator
5. Set Phasers to Stun
6. The One
7. Liar (It Takes One to Know One)
8. Amphetamine Smiles
9. You're So Last Summer
10. My Blue Heaven
11. Timberwolves at New Jersey
12. You Can't Look Back
13. This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)
14. Flicker, Fade
15. Cute Without the 'E' (Cut From the Team)
16. MakeDamnSure

The last Taking Back Sunday album I actually listened to was New Again, which came out in 2009, so fortunately I recognized the majority of the songs from their setlist. (The last time I saw them live was in 2003 at Kool Haus with Saves the Day and Moneen, and I still remember I thought that was one of the best live rock shows I'd ever been to. I still think that.) Despite some changes in their band lineup, they still play with that infectious energy that I loved so much over 20 years ago.

Coheed and Cambria at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Coheed and Cambria at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Coheed and Cambria at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Coheed and Cambria at Budweiser Stage, Toronto

Coheed and Cambria Set List:

1. Goodbye, Sunshine
2. Shoulders
3. Blood Red Summer
4. Blind Side Sonny
5. Everything Evil
6. Number City
7. The Suffering
8. Searching for Tomorrow
9. The Continuum II: The Flood
10. A Favor House Atlantic
11. The Liars Club
12. In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
13. Mr. Brightside (The Killers cover)
14. Welcome Home

The last Coheed and Cambria album I listened to was Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1, which came out in 2005. (I did, however, see them at Riot Fest in 2015, so way more recently than Taking Back Sunday.) I recognized even less of the songs on their setlist, maybe four or five at most, and their music is way more metal than post-hardcore now, but my god, they sound phenomenal live — just like on their records, but with some crazy guitar ad libs thrown in. (Of course, Claudio Sanchez also has one of the most unique voices in the music industry, so I'll always know when a Coheed song is playing regardless if I know the song or not.)

Despite ending with pouring rain (Budweiser Stage is a covered outdoor venue, but it was raining so hard that the venue management asked Coheed and Cambria to shorten their setlist by two songs so everyone could get out safely), it really was an incredible concert. It's crazy to think that it's been over 20 years since I first listened to them. I guess you can take the kid out of the scene, but you can't take the scene out of the kid…

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope at Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

How was he not satisfied with his performance here?! This was honestly one of the most energetic, charismatic, and damn near flawless stages I've seen from J-Hope. Like, I know he's a perfectionist but he's being a little too humble here... 

And on another note, I know Justin Timberlake is a 2000s icon, but frankly, in this day and age, BTS is significantly more popular, multi-faceted, and talented (and way less problematic)… but it seemed like J-Hope was way more excited to meet him? And that JT forgot he collaborated with Jungkook until J-Hope reminded him?

BANGTAN BOMB: J-Hope's Summer Swag Sketch

J-Hope: "I wonder if they'll recognize me…"

PSY: "Wow… that was such a 'celebrity' thing to say."

J-Hope: "No, seriously!"

PSY: "Of course they'll recognize you!"

J-Hope: "I'm really worried. It'll be the general public."

PSY: "Geez… Tomorrow's going to be something to remember."

I can't believe J-Hope was worried that the Korean general public wouldn't recognize him. Did he really think PSY would invite him to perform there if he didn't think J-Hope has that kind of impact? J-Hope has proven himself time and time again that he is an insanely talented, incredibly popular solo artist — on top of being apart of the biggest band in the world. J-HOPE, AREN'T YOU BEING A LITTLE TOO HUMBLE?

(On another note, that blingy pizza pendant necklace is basically the best thing I've ever seen in my life.)

BTS EPISODE: Jin — RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR in Goyang

EXACTLY ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL I SEE JIN IN PERSON!!! 

BTS EPISODE: J-Hope — Hope on the Stage: Final

I obviously couldn't be there in person, but I'm so glad I got to watch this on livestream. This will forever mark the day BTS was officially reunited in public after their three-year hiatus — so fitting that it was also on the day of their 12th anniversary. God, I can't wait to see the great things they will do together again.

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" Music Show Promotions Sketch

You know, the effort behind creating all these sets at Korean music shows never fails to amaze me. I still wonder why these types of music shows do so well in Asia, but there's nothing like this in North America. I guess the closest we have are those talent competition shows like The Voice, but there's nothing for already-established artists to perform live stages every week and have fans vote on which group wins best new release. I wonder if it's because North America is too physically big? I mean, to be fair, you could fit like, 12 Koreas inside Ontario alone, so logistics would be a nightmare…

Anyway, big congrats to J-Hope for all his music show wins. Truly well-deserved!

J-Hope — Live at Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

So glad BigHit got the rights to livestream this because everything about this performance was IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE. The set list, his (very naked) fit, his live vocals, his dancing, the live band... Pardon the pun, but Hobi KILLED IT. 

Jin — "Don't Say You Love Me" at Seongsu & "Hi Seokjin" Hi-Touch Event Behind

Man, getting a spot at one of these events is truly like winning the lottery, and that's only if you live in Korea. Us international fans don't even get a chance. On that note, at least I'm going to see Jin next month. 37 DAYS TO GO!

J-Hope on SBS Inkigayo: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

WHOA THERE, MISSY, THAT IS A LOT OF BARE SKIN TOUCHING. (You know, I can't help but think that if this was any of BTS' maknae line — Jimin, V, and Jungkook — a huge amount of ARMYs would be revolting at this amount of sexy touching by a female, even if it is a part of the choreography. Like, to the point where I'd be worried that the dancer would get serious death threats. An unfortunate double-standard in BTS, but it's true.)

J-Hope at MBC Show! MusicCore: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

I love that J-Hope is still using the original dance crew from the MV for all his Korean music show appearances. I recognize some of the dancers from his tour and the "Mona Lisa" MV, too. Imagine being so integral to these performances that J-Hope won't use any other crew, even if it means paying for them to travel the world with him. Man, they're living the ultimate back-up dancer's dream. 

J-Hope at KBS Music Bank: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

Another amazing live performance, and I'm just gonna go ahead and say it — I think it's significantly better than the recorded version. The live stages have rendered the AutoTune on the recorded version completely unnecessary. I know they added the AutoTune for stylistic reasons, but I just prefer Hobi's real, live vocals so much more.

J-Hope at Mnet M Countdown: "Killin' It Girl (Solo Version)"

Okay, first of all, this is, without a doubt, the biggest stage I've ever seen on a Korean music show. I think bigger than anything I've seen even for BTS. Secondly, J-Hope has gotten awfully comfortable with being naked on stage. Thirdly, we are just being VISUALLY ATTACKED left, right, and centre. Yeah, J-Hope, "I'm not sure if I pulled off the bad boy role," MY ASS.

J-Hope — "Killin' It Girl" Stage Cam at Hope on the Stage: Final (Day 1)

A better view of the "Killin' It Girl" choreography from Hope on the Stage: Final (which was INSANE, by the way — and I can't believe Jungkook is already performing with full vocals and full choreography literally 3 days after military discharge) and I swear, it gets hotter every time I watch it.

BTS EPISODE: Jin's Coldplay Concert Guest Appearance Shoot Sketch

FINALLY!!! I've seen fan videos of this concert all over my social media, but I have been waiting for official behind-the-scenes footage of Jin's guest appearance at Coldplay's concerts in Korea and it's everything I hoped for. You know, if you told me even five years ago that BTS and Coldplay would have a collaboration, I would never have believed you. BUT IT'S BECOME THE MOST WHOLESOME MUSICIAN FRIENDSHIP I HAVE EVER SEEN AND I AM LIVING FOR IT.

Jin — "With the Clouds" and "To Me, Today" at Seongsu Live Clip

Okay, between J-Hope's thirst trap photos and Jin's dreamy live vocals, I AM GETTING BTS CONTENT WHIPLASH. Anyway, as someone who just listened to Echo while taking a shower, I gotta say, Jin's live vocals really sound exactly like they do on the record — the chest voice, the falsetto, the vibrato, everything. I just can't believe this guy ever thought his vocals weren't good enough.

Jin — "Don't Say You Love Me" at Seongsu Live Clip

MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM LIVE.

Jin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Interview and "Don't Say You Love Me" Live Performance

"It was great to be alone, but when [the BTS members] come back [from military service], since they worked so hard, I'm going to honour them and give them great respect. They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them."

Okay, not gonna lie, I didn't expect Jin to ask, "Do you think we have one butt or two?" in this interview, but it is indeed an important, philosophical question.

And on that thought-provoking note, I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE JIN LIVE IN JULY!!!

Jin on Dingo Music: "Don't Say You Love Me" and "Loser (feat. Yena)" Live Performance

Oooooh, my two favourite songs off of Echo! I had never heard of Yena before this collaboration, but she sounds so good on this track. (Jin's collabs are always incredible — with Coldplay, with Wendy, and now with Yena — and end up being some of my favourite tracks, I think more than any other BTS member.) You know, I never appreciated how just how much falsetto Jin needs to use in his songs and he kills it every damn time. I cannot wait to see him live in July!