In their Australian debut, the KQ Entertainment K-Pop boy group Xikers, consisting of current active members Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Seeun, Yujun, Hunter and Yechan, toured Australia as part of their 2024 Xikers World Tour: Tricky House: First Encounter.
With Xikers billed to play in Melbourne at Melbourne Pavilion on Wednesday November 6th, many dedicated fans waited all day to get a good glimpse of the K-Pop stars. There were even lines circling around the venue in keen anticipation. As soon as fans were let in, VIP patrons got to meet the K-Pop boy band for a group photo session, before heading into the concert area to quickly claim a spot on the floor. This followed with a fan soundcheck before the rest of the ticketholders were granted access to the Melbourne venue.
When Xikers finally arrived on stage, there were so many ear piercing screams of excitement from the Melbourne crowd. Kickstarting their Tricky House: First Encounter Tour with title track ‘TRICKY HOUSE’, the boy band looked great with their matching green and white varsity jackets, appearing equally as eager to see their Australian Roadies (fandom name) and show off their talents, as their Roadies were to see them in Melbourne.
Xikers exhibited their high-octane, fast, slick and mesmerising dance choreography to their music including, the epic and super upbeat ‘Doorbell Ringing’, the catchy ‘We Don’t Stop’ and the musically euphoric tune ‘Skater’, just to name a few. Fans were animated instantly on command and happily waved their hands up and down in the air while chanting the lyrics to ‘Koong’, the choreography itself fearlessly tackling superstitions head-on by using an open umbrella indoors.
In comparison to their more dance heavy and upbeat members, Xikers shared their cuter side with their songs ‘Sunny Side’ and ‘Homeboy’, even encouraging Melbourne patrons to sing along to the former, making for an endearing moment between the K-Pop boy group and their Aussie fans.
With only four EPs to their discography, one would think that the boy group wouldn’t have much to share. However, there were plenty fun things to relish and enjoy with Xikers. In the middle of the set, Xikers even took time out from the choreography heavy tracks to play games amongst themselves, themed on their own music history and Australian trivia. This made the event feel more like a fan concert, although the Melbourne audience didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, everyone in the room seemed to be fully enjoying every moment that the Xikers members were bonding on stage, displaying their fun and unique personalities, as they chose between two options in knockout style rounds before Yechan was named victor and honorary member of Melbourne.
Once the brief games interval was over, the energy in the room quickly hyped up again when Xikers performed fan favourite song ‘Do or Die’ (also my favourite of theirs) and the epic ‘Rockstar’ before disappearing off stage for bit, only to return to perform two more songs during their encore consisting of the beloved song ‘WITCH’ which had Xikers’ signature and captivating choreography, before closing out the night with the appropriately timed ‘Bittersweet’.
Rookie boy group Xikers, throughout the Melbourne night, provided excellent fan interactions, high energy in their performances, and super fun upbeat tracks which everyone could enjoy and dance along to. Despite feeling more like a fan concert than a fully fledged concert experience, Melbourne patrons left the concluded event appearing genuinely grateful and deeply satisfied that the K-Pop boy band even got to visit our shores in the first place!
Although there is no guarantee that Xikers will be back any time soon, one would only hope that if there is a next time, currently injured member Junghoon can come with them.
Xikers‘ 2024 Tricky House: First Encounter World Tour Australian leg was proudly promoted by Box Live and KQ Entertainment. The Melbourne concert was performed at Melbourne Pavilion on Wednesday the 6th of November, 2024.
For more information, visit:
https://xikers.kr
https://www.instagram.com/xikers_official
https://the-boxlive.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/boxliveau
Photography by Grant Alexander.
