Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua, collectively known as (G)I-DLE, are currently on their 2024 WORLD TOUR: i-DOL, in support of their second studio album ‘2’ and their seventh EP ‘I Sway’, both released this year.
Initially kicking off their tour in Seoul, South Korea early August, Australia is the final leg of their 14-country itinerary. Although the incomparable self-produced 4th generation girl group have been conquering music charts worldwide with their unique sound, and i-DOL marks their third world tour to date, this is actually the first time that (G)I-DLE have toured Australia.
Originally planned to visit Australia for their first world tour I-Land: Who Am I back in 2020 before the world changed (it was cancelled and converted into an online concert), Australia has been on the cards for (G)I-DLE for a long time. Finally making their Australian debut in Melbourne at the iconic Rod Laver Arena, this was one K-Pop experience that casual fans, passionate K-Pop fans, and dedicated Neverland won’t forget anytime soon.
Many determined attendees arrived early to make sure that they purchased a souvenir to take home with them, with limited merchandise available specially shipped from South Korea. A lot of items quickly sold out before the concert even began. For those who like photo opportunities, there was a photo wall in the foyer of Rod Laver Arena that was specific to Melbourne which patrons could take photos with. The photo wall even had many eagerly forming a line for it.
Upon entering the venue and seeing on the big screens the words “2024 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR i-DOL IN MELBOURNE”, honestly, I was in disbelief. Active since 2018, (G)I-DLE are edging closer to their 7th anniversary coming May 2025. For many long supporting fans, including myself, if the group wasn’t scheduled to tour your country, the only way to see them was to travel. The Melbourne audience was filled with an even split of patrons who had never seen (G)I-DLE before, and those who have previously travelled to see the girl group. This was acknowledged during the night when (G)I-DLE asked who was seeing them for the first time, to which half the Rod Laver Arena audience shot their hands up in the air.
Last year, I attended (G)I-DLE’s second world tour I Am Free-Ty in both Bangkok and Singapore, and I can confidently state that their 2024 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR: i-DOL is their best concert tour to date.
Beginning with a soundcheck session for lucky Melbourne VIP patrons, Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua took to the stage in casual attire to warmly greet fans before performing the songs ‘Fate’, ‘Wife’ and ‘Klaxon’. Despite being in the industry for over 6 years now, it was surprising yet comforting to hear and see (G)I-DLE still get nervous. Minnie even shared that they were all very nervous to be here in Australia because it was their first time. It just shows that they deeply care about their art, their Aussie fans, and want to put on a good performance.
When the main event began, in an epic introduction, with lasers flashing in time to the melody and selective lyrics of ‘Super Lady’ being displayed in appropriate dramatic fashion, it wasn’t long before (G)I-DLE took to the stage. Emerging from the Rod Laver Arena ceiling into view, the group were welcomed with a massive roar from the Melbourne audience, with the group quickly accompanied by their army of dancers. Dressed in matching bodysuit outfits complete with hats, much like their ‘Super Lady’ music video but in white, (G)I-DLE showed no hints of nerves that they previously mentioned during the soundcheck, and fiercely commanded the stage for the entirety of their Melbourne concert. Let alone, the group had everyone chanting, “Lady, lady, call me Super Lady!” from the get-go.
Showcasing their dynamic and formidable powerful aura, while also displaying their phenomenal concert production, ‘Revenge’ came with pyrotechnics, while ‘Doll’, which displayed a giant hand with strings, made (G)I-DLE look as if they were puppets. Some crowd favourites included the whimsical ‘Fate’ which had the group form a circle that rotated and faced all sides of Rod Laver Arena while they sung and interacted with the Melbourne audience, having fans sing along. The wonderful and emotionally relatable ‘Allergy’ had audiences bopping along and singing in happiness, K/DA’s ‘POP/STARS’ conjured screams, the joyful and summery ‘Klaxon’ had everyone singing along to the signature line “I love you, baby”, and fan favourite ‘MY BAG’ impressed with fast raps and super iconic group dance moves.
Just as powerful individually as they are together, Shuhua kicked off the solo stages with a skilful and sexy dance to Tyla’s ‘Water’. This performance was met with deafening screams. Yuqi flicked through what appeared to be a playlist of her solo songs including ‘Giant’, ‘Could It Be’ and ‘Freak’, which inspired a sing-along, before performing her song ‘Radio’. This consisted of Yuqi chilling on a platform with her dancers before jumping into a shopping cart and being wheeled onto the B-Stage for some more impressive dancing.
Minnie amazed Melbourne patrons with her gorgeous vocals and songwriting ability to the (G)I-DLE song ‘Change’, a song she wrote, composed and performed solo. When it was Soyeon’s turn, the group leader dished out ‘Is this bad b****** number?’, emerging from the floor of the B-Stage, lying down with a phone and dressed in a black bunny outfit, while accompanied with a Studio Ghibli Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji plushie. On theme for Halloween, which coincidentally was the same date as the Melbourne concert, Soyeon later shared that the outfit was special and unique to Melbourne.
Last but not least, Miyeon took to the stage with angel wings and white feathery attire to showcase her stunning vocals and stage presence with her solo song ‘Sky Walking’. She sounded as beautiful as she looked.
The audience erupted when the girls reformed during ‘LION’ which had a special arrangement for the tour. Much like ‘Super Lady’, the dancers helped to make the performance an epic experience. Songs which were met with equal reception included the aforementioned ‘MY BAG’ and ‘POP/STARS’, ‘LATATA’ which also had a fresh arrangement for the tour and had the audience shouting along to the line, “Every day, every night – LA-TA-TA!”, ‘Queencard’ which was also super popular, had fans elated, jumping and dancing while cheer-chanting, “I’M A QUEENCARD, I’M A QUEENCARD!”.
However, the most powerful songs of the night included ‘Wife’, which had everyone singing along to every word. The song conjured and inspired many fans to come along dressed up in their own aqua blue bob wigs, much like in (G)I-DLE’s music video. Trickled throughout Rod Laver Arena, you’d be hard pressed to not find a patron in (G)I-DLE ‘wife’ attire. They were everywhere! The performance itself had an introductory clip of the (G)I-DLE members in a ‘Wife Factory’. When the dancers took to the stage in the same wigs, I had wondered if the group would be wearing the wigs too. Instead, they emerged from a giant wig on the B-Stage, each wearing matching vest the same colour as the popular wig. Not at all subtle but iconic and genius.
The other power-hit was ‘Tomboy’, an undisputed anthem for (G)I-DLE since its release in 2022. The rock inspired song had the entire venue passionately shouting, “YEAH, I’M F**KING TOMBOY!!!”, and this was something that was so much fun to be a part of.
When the girl group weren’t on stage, the clips displayed in between sets were super entertaining, showing (G)I-DLE’s individual personalities and cheeky humour. A favourite of these clips was one where during a board meeting at CUBE Entertainment, the members noticed that the ‘E’ was missing. Not just in the presentation, but everywhere! This sparked a massive mission where everyone began searching to find it. While they funnily enough never actually found the ‘E’, what resulted was a fun and entertaining moment regardless. It felt like we were all engrossed and watching a Korean office sitcom which shared a little bit of (G)I-DLE’s playful yet clever satire.
Production wise, there was fireworks, fire and impressive lighting. While the big screens did display colourful graphics during the concert, there was also always clear live video footage of the artist performing. This was shown on either side of the stage’s big screens, making for an inclusive and enjoyable experience, regardless of which part of the venue you were located.
Concluding the night with songs ‘I Want That’ where Minnie reached an insane high note, and (G)I-DLE’s first English-language single ‘I Do’, I, like many, felt disheartened to discover that the show was coming to an end. Inspired by a fan in the crowd, Minnie also made sure to affectionately chant the Aussie cheer staple, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – OI-OI-OI!”.
Having previously travelled to see (G)I-DLE live during their past tours, it felt very special to witness (G)I-DLE in Melbourne, my own city. To see the words “MELBOURNE” in giant silver text up on the big screen was a constant reminder that they were really here and the concert was really happening, all without having the need to travel overseas for it. I am very grateful that the girl group finally came to Australia and performed in Melbourne. I’m also certain that many patrons were converted into Neverlands from the concert alone that very night. With the group making a pinkie promise to return, let’s hope that (G)I-DLE are true to their word and come back next year.
(G)I-DLE’s 2024 WORLD TOUR: i-DOL Melbourne concert was super interactive, visually stunning and extremely entertaining. Their live powerful vocals, alongside their self-composed music, thoroughly impressed throughout the night. (G)I-DLE masterfully showcased their talents and genuine joy for performing, providing Melbourne patrons with undisputedly the best K-Pop concert from a girl group to have ever visited our shores. It was the perfect concert.
(G)I-DLE are currently touring in Australia as part of their (G)I-DLE 2024 WORLD TOUR: i-DOL, proudly presented by iME Australia, Cube Entertainment and CJ ENM. They performed in Melbourne on Thursday October 31st at Rod Laver Arena and (G)I-DLE will perform the final show of their world tour tonight, Saturday the 2nd of November at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/official_g_i_dle
https://www.instagram.com/ime_au
https://rodlaverarena.com.au/event/g-i-dle-world-tour-2024
https://qudosbankarena.com.au/event/g-idle
Photography supplied by iME Australia.
the part about everyone singing along to wife is so real 😂 everyone around me was singing along. 💙 I also loved it bc it’s mostly English and easy to sing along 🫶🏼 (unlike Korean parts which I basically turn into gibberish hahahha)