[SINGAPORE] Xdinary Heroes Raise the Roof in a Concert of Firsts

Singapore is sweltering as it is, but Xdinary Heroes turned the country a few degrees hotter on July 26 with their concert ‘Beautiful Mind’ at The Star Theatre.

The 2021-born rock band hailing from JYP Entertainment’s sub-label Studio J is no stranger here — the band brought their first world tour, ‘Break the Brake’, to Singapore in March last year.

In a surprisingly long show that spanned three hours, the band performed a whopping half of their entire discography and made a statement about their commitment to their craft.

Music prodigy image

Unlike most K-pop shows that boast elaborate sets, the Heroes’ concert was run in a very no-nonsense fashion. A straightforward video intro depicted the members rocking it out on their instruments before the sextet took the stage. And off were they to a theatrical start with rock opera-esque Beautiful Life before launching into equally hard-hitting tracks like XYMPHONY, Bicycle, Bad Chemical, LOVE and FEAR, and FIGHT ME.

It’s only their fourth year in business, but the Heroes carry themselves like they’ve been touring for decades. Main vocalists Jungsu and Jooyeon are a match made in vocal heaven, Jooyeon’s voice full and deep while Jungsu’s, light with a piercing quality. Despite the preppy navy jackets and loose ties the band sported for the evening, their overall musical style is certainly bolder and punkier compared to their Studio J seniors DAY6. MONEYBALL, Break the Brake, Sucker Punch!, and FiRE are amongst the headbanger majority of their material.

The band also spiced up the traditional band stage with winks of creativity, such as synth player O.de singing into a red megaphone for the first verse of FEELING NICE and brandishing his keytar to be more mobile for some songs.

The post-George the Lobster drum solo by Gunil, who is a Berklee alumnus, was particularly fun because he gave the audience a percussive role in his solo by cueing them to shout on beat alongside his drumstick action.

Raving reviews of Singapore

While most of their setlist was upbeat and rebellious, the band also showed their vulnerable side through ballads Good Enough, Night Before the End, and Save Me. Perhaps it’s the spillover of rock music mosh pit culture, but the audience was on their feet the entire three-hour concert, even for the mellower ballad tracks, which Gunil commented was a first in the history of the band’s shows. Jooyeon looked straight out of a commercial nodding and beaming at thunderous fanchants as a fan placed on the stage dramatically blew his long bronze locks back during AGAIN? AGAIN!.

Anyone could tell that the band was ecstatic to be back in the city, from their shadowboxing the falling confetti during the encore to their endless praise for the Singapore audience’s overwhelming energy. Gunil mentioned that it was also his first time seeing even fans on the second floor jumping along to their set. “Singapore’s energy is crazy. I’m feeling more excited than usual,” agreed Jungsu.

Rhythmic guitarist Gaon talked about looking forward to the show after leaving their first Singapore concert with good memories, adding that hearing fans sing the lyrics to their songs made him feel “shy”. We have yet another kaya toast enthusiast in Gunil, who shared that he had devoured half of their manager’s toast haul.

We might not have heard much from Junhan while the band performed because the lead guitarist was busy crushing it on his steel strings, but a brief screamo moment from him was beheld when he finally got to put his guitar down for iNSTEAD!, the last encore song of the show. He discussed how looking at fans is his biggest source of energy: “I felt alive again thanks to you.”

Jungsu also thanked fans for reminding him that he made a good decision becoming a singer. “I felt like something was piercing me the entire concert,” he explained. “This scene will be an unforgettable one for me.”