Pop

After immediately capturing the audience’s attention with the 2023 single “S-Class,” Stray Kids moved quickly into “FREEZE,” a B-side off 2022’s Maniac, that proved to be a super smart setlist move to showcase their total showmanship and musicality.

Changbin and Han displayed true hip-hop prowess with lightning-fast rap styles, while Hyunjin commanded every eye as he took center stage during dance sections. Lee Know’s performance exuded an undeniable fierceness while Seungmin’s high notes soared as he played to the guitarist. Despite the intensity of such a high-profile performance, Han and Felix made it all look easy as they affectionately wrapped their arms around one another while delivering verses. Despite the multiple high notes he would be handling, even the youngest member, I.N, was quickly getting comfortable, eventually shucking off his leather jacket to reveal a sleeveless muscle tee and frequently running to the audience to encourage them to sing along.

For new observers or curious potential fans, “S-Class” was a catchy introduction, but “FREEZE” served as the ultimate hook, proving that Stray Kids are the real deal.

Quickly after “FREEZE,” Stray Kids transitioned into “Super Bowl,” off their 2023 album 5-Star, which quickly confirmed this was not a typical K-pop performance.

The group was ready to get rowdy and have fun, a sentiment best exemplified by Han’s playful lyric changeup before the final choruses. Instead of singing “Our dish here’s so bussin’,” Han shouted, “Our s— here’s so bussin’!”

While Stray Kids fans have come to expect this explicit change in live performances, it was somewhat unexpected to hear it uncensored on the Hulu live stream. The decision was even more intriguing given reports that JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park attended Lollapalooza to watch the performance. But Han’s infectious, hyped-up energy throughout the entire set was impossible to tone down — and thank goodness for that.

While Felix has been gaining global recognition as a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton and recently making his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week, Lollapalooza truly felt like the moment to solidify himself as his most authentic rock-star self.

His lightning-white blonde hair, styled in flowing locks and tiny twist braids matched with stunning white LV vests, made him look like a shining Greek god on stage. Throughout the performance, Felix often jumped from his signature bassy low grumble to a more energized octave, showcasing his vocal versatility and knowing when to get more animated to better hype up the crowd. Further evidence: During the “Charmer” performance, Felix whipped the sleeves of the vest around his shoulders and chest, giving just a flash of his abs and muscles that drove the crowd wild — and visibly shocked his bandmate, Han.

Maybe it was a result of the Chicago heat, but Felix also frequently drenched himself in water, adding a glowing, dripping aura to his onstage presence. As a result, he became a number-one trending topic across social media and, perhaps more importantly, set a new standard for K-pop artists to fully embrace their rock-star attitudes on stage.

After a quick section to chat with the audience midway through the set, Stray Kids delivered five of their hit singles in a row with an undeniable standout in 2022’s “Maniac.” While the track is strong for its atypical production and inspiring message, the stage also allowed SKZ to be both casual and professional. While there would be the times the members could walk around and freestyle throughout the stage, the octet also could seamlessly reform and fall right back into their choreographed formations.

While K-pop acts are famous for their meticulously rehearsed choreography and CD-quality vocals prepared for every performance, Stray Kids being able to freely hop into dance mode or freestyle mode is a key indicator to how successful they’ve been in an industry like America, where fans appreciate musicians with true authenticity and ease on stage.

Alongside Bang Chan and Seungmin’s skillful high notes, “Maniac” showed another level of impressive stage performance for all eight members.

Perhaps no member embraced the many water bottles provided on stage for the group as Hyunjin did.

While the Stray Kids members took turns drenching themselves and one another, as well as spraying a likely overheated Chicago audience, Hyunjin seemed to be working the water in his own magical fashion. Sporting two distinct looks at Lolla, he always seemed drenched head to toe — with his white For Every Living Thing T-shirt becoming see-through from the accumulated moisture. The water added to Hyunjin’s enigmatic stage presence, making him an even more captivating performer.

The 24-year-old Versace global ambassador Hyunjin typically takes center stage for various dance sections, but at Lollapalooza, he stepped up in a way that felt more artistic (and badass). As quickly as he would claim the spotlight, he could effortlessly step aside to let another member shine. His ferocious stage presence is well-known among STAYs and K-pop fans, but Lollapalooza showcased Hyunjin’s true performance capabilities to the world.

As stated above, “MIROH” would inevitably be a highlight given its anthemic production. But Stray Kids took the five-year-old single to an entirely new level with the Lollapalooza rendition.

While the original track opens with Felix’s signature low timbre, the 23-year-old delivered the intro in an invigorating, bewitching call to arms that helped the song’s intensity grow with each moment.

By the song’s closing, a fireworks display shot off amid the song’s gargantuan beat drops and shout-along hooks for something that felt genuinely epic and celebratory. The fact that “MIROH” includes several moments for SKZ and fans to shout, “Stray! Kids! Woo!” only made the explosive ending that much more perfect.

Even if “MIROH” was the epically explosive ending, Stray Kids still came out for additional songs as a more casual encore for a second performance of “TOPLINE,” the “Festival Version” of their latest single, “Chk Chk Boom,” and what seemed like an impromptu rendition of a special fan song to end the night officially.

While the Kids teased their goodbyes to the crowd many times, the guys kept coming back on after hearing the crowd chant “One more song!” — and the members themselves started chanting it too. After “TOPLINE” and “Chk Chk Boom,” the members urged leader Bang Chan to announce they would perform another song. While Chan pleaded in his amiable Australian accent, “There’s rules here: We have to go at a certain time!” Han quickly responded, “No, we gotta break the rules!” Bang Chan seemed convinced, telling the audience, “If you guys get in trouble, we’ll take responsibility.” After a quick huddle between the band members, they officially ended their set with the 2020 B-side track “Haven.”

While “Haven” was the song to close the Maniac World Tour, the lyrics particularly rang true at this crowning career achievement. “Do whatever you want…/ Right now, step out, do what you want,” spoke to them, pushing the (time) limits of their setlist, but it also acted as a warm reminder to their fans of the admiration and love Stray Kids have for their supporters, affectionately known as STAY. One of the final lyrics, “I wanna STAY with you,” doubles as meaning to STAY and conveys their honest feelings. It was a truly heartfelt way to end a moment that solidified the true rock-star nature of Stray Kids.