FTISLAND's Sixth Anniversary Concert in Seoul is not just a thanksgiving tribute to their fans.  What it really was is FTISLAND seeking to define their own color and brand, as they come to terms to the fact that, while at the core they are a rock band, their concept and marketing over the last six years has catapulted them to idol status. And, that will be difficult to move away from.  So, instead they are using that idol identity and privilege to show fans what art and what rock really is all about.  In parts,  FTHX The Sixth Anniversary Concert in Seoul was a moment of transition, a new introduction and a branding experiment for FTISLAND.

In a two-hour long set they presented 22 songs, uniquely organized and most times re-arranged to allow them to show their true identity. Each song, regardless of who the original composer was, can be uniquely theirs, because they are the musicians behind the music.  The setlist was mostly self-written and their all-time hits re-imagined.

Photo Credit: FNC Entertainment

Lee Hong Ki was ever the energetic frontman, but even with his powerful stage presence, the rest of the band do not fade into the background.  This proves yet again that FTISLAND is a band of rock princes, with each member with their own unique presence and strength.  Their elaborate stage is well placed, shaped in an octagon allowing them to be free to move around and get closer to the audience, like real musicians would.  

Even bassist Lee Jaejin probably had to adjust to his new position on the stage.  As an upper stage was created, FTISLAND's bassist was moved away from the guitar line on the main stage, and instead rocked out with drummer Choi Minhwan on the upper stage.  This was a musically smart location with the bass and drum needing to have great teamwork for the best harmony.  As the percussion vibrated through each song, it is obvious that music is being made on the spot.  While perhaps they spent hours rehearsing, none of the sound felt fabricated.  FTISLAND dynamically were matching the feel of the crowd and their own mood.  Thus, shedding the expectations of idol-like choreography and instead putting on the rawness of a livehouse performance yet exuding the same brilliance of intricate sounds only rock veterans are capable of. 

Interestingly, there were no solo stages  at the concert.  As if sending a message that as a band, they make music together as a team.  Their synergy is made evident by highlighting each member's best and favorite instrument.  Halfway through the setlist, for the complex track that is their 2012 runaway hit 'Severely', lead guitarist Choi Jonghoon moved to centerstage to play the keyboard, his first and favorite instrument.  The audience was treated to an instrumental rendition of the song in it first verses.  While FTISLAND was treated by the audience to a sing-along  before Hong Ki and the rest of the gang joined in for a powerful climax and conclusion. 

The choice to take the more subdued tracks into a semi-acoustic arrangement with Song Seunghyun on rhythm acoustic together with Choi Jonghoon was also a brilliant touch, making the feel more personal and heartfelt.  As Hong Ki belted out the strains of these slower songs, fans were heard asking "Is he going to cry?" and saying "He really sang from his heart. They really played it for the fans." 

For the last half of the setlist, FTISLAND took their Korean audience in for a ride to their experience in Japan, as they performed Korean adaptations of their own self-composed Japanese tracks, "Time To", "Top Secret", "Freedom", "Beloved", "Black Chocolate" and "Revolution".  At first, there seems to be an awkward silence as the entire audience were hearing these tracks for the first time.  Light sticks continued waving through the air, however.  And, most of the audience were impressed with the kind of music FTISLAND is able to make.  Lee Hong Ki said that they want these originally Japanese tracks available in Korea, preferably as digital singles than albums.  It felt like a homecoming, as most these tracks featured them mainly in charge of the music in the Japanese versions.  So, their adaptation into Korean is meaningfully a way to share the music they made, in their native tongue, in the words they really want to say.

They closed out the concert with the song that started their journey, their dream into being legitimate rock stars -- "Love Sick" from their first album, 2007-release 'Cheerful Sensibility'. 

FTISLAND's performance at FTHX should be measured by the sweat they shed throughout the night, of which there were lots.  They do not take making music lightly. With each song a rock-out session, if there was any doubt as to the rock credibility of FTISLAND, truly experiencing a live concert should erase any of that doubt.

They will be playing live next in October for the Japan Zepp Tour, 'Replay'.  It begins October 1st in Tokyo, and will circuit through Sapporo, Hokkaido, Shizuoka, Nanbe, and Nagoya.

It is also planned that FTISLAND will return for a comeback release in Korea in November.  The Korean version of Happiness Theory (Shiawase Theory) will be included in that release.  The original is from their recent Japanese release and featured in the Toriko anime movie version

Reviewer: Dorothy A | Photo Credits: FNC Entertainment