So, I sat down and watched all three days of the MAMA Awards this 12 months. Properly… nearly all three days (there was undoubtedly some fast-forwarding). After a number of years being fairly resigned to the ceremony, I used to be curious this 12 months as a result of a lot of my favourite 2024 music got here from artists who have been large enough to carry out at occasions like this.
With that mentioned, I really feel like MAMA performances start to get a bit monotonous after a number of hours. So many acts choose for a similar approaches in terms of particular results, dance breaks and remixes. Given this overlapping fashion, most of my favourite performances tended to come back from artists and songs I liked this 12 months. Contemplate this checklist extra-biased on the unofficial Bias Record scale.
6. IVE
Whereas neither Accendio nor HEYA are private favourite IVE songs, each had well-conceived remixes that upped the power for a dome setting.
5. YEONJUN
He will get bonus factors for being the primary performer of the night time to make the most of the cool VR/AR know-how within the Kyocera Dome. I don’t know what the stage appeared like in particular person (was the roof projection even seen?), however it appeared very cool from the TV display screen. The track is no matter, however I liked the staging.
4. KATSEYE
Katseye impressed me, and this cheer-inspired efficiency made me understand that Debut is an excellent higher track than I’d thought. I’m nonetheless not bought on Contact in any respect, however the first half of their stage was actually enjoyable.
3. ROSÉ x BRUNO MARS
I do know on-site followers have been upset that this was pre-recorded, however the intimate setting labored extraordinarily properly for this track. APT. actually comes alive with an viewers and that power crackled off the display screen. Rosé and Bruno have a ton of chemistry and charisma.
2. G-DRAGON x BIGBANG
I like when MAMA encompasses a large reunion or long-awaited comeback. I hated GD’s unflattering pink outfit, however every part else was improbable (child). I do know some have been a bit lukewarm on House Candy House however I feel it’s a banger and this efficiency drove that dwelling. The staging (a double reveal for Taeyang and Daesung) was sensible. Then, the blokes went on to unleash two Okay-pop epics in Bang Bang Bang and Implausible Child. It was thrilling to see them again collectively and makes me optimistic for the long run.
1. BOYNEXTDOOR / RIIZE / TWS
These three acts have been overwhelmingly accountable for filling my 2024 playlist. If it wasn’t for them, I’d in all probability have a really dire opinion of the 12 months in Okay-pop. I thought of rating them, however I favored all three performances for a similar purpose so I’m calling it a joint first place.
In comparison with BOYNEXTDOOR’s dome efficiency, RIIZE and TWS carried out on the (a lot) smaller Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. I could also be within the minority, however I truly most popular these smaller levels. They felt extra intimate and — missing the added bombast of the dome setting — artists needed to rely extra on good quaint showmanship. BOYNEXTDOOR land this excessive on my rating as a result of they discovered a approach to carry that feeling to a giant setting. Their stage had rather more character than most of the bombastic levels on nights two and three.
If I needed to choose, TWS in all probability had my favourite efficiency. I like the songs and contemporary power. I’m additionally a sucker for desk-related choreography and marching bands. The storyline was cute and I like that we have been capable of hear an prolonged model of Plot Twist (lastly!).
Talking of prolonged mixes, I would like SM Leisure to launch the stage model of RIIZE’s Growth Growth Bass instantly. The dance break was unbelievably funky and I am keen on the Michael Jackson influences. They should lean arduous into these grooves subsequent 12 months. It’s a pity parts of their fan base have been so obnoxious throughout the present.
