K-pop superstars BTS successfully wrapped up their four-day “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage-Las Vegas” with 624,000 fans watching in-person, online and off-site.
According to Big Hit Music, the Las Vegas leg held on April 8, 9, 15 and 16 drew 200,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
The last day of the concert on April 16 was live streamed online and was watched by 402,000 fans from 182 countries and regions.
In addition, those who didn’t watch the concert in person viewed it in real-time on a giant screen through Live Play at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. A total of 22,000 fans watched it on the four dates.
Since the opening of Allegiant Stadium, BTS are the only artist to have sold out approximately 200,000 tickets over four nights.
The tour series “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage” started as an online concert on Oct. 24, 2021.
It was followed by an in-person tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Nov. 27 and 28, and Dec. 1 and 2 last year. It also had theater and online viewing.
The Seoul leg was held on March 10, 12 and 13 at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. It was also streamed online and viewed live in theaters in different countries.
All in all, the 12 shows across all formats including in-person concerts, virtual live stream, Live Viewing and Live Play were watched by more than four million people, according to Big Hit Music.
On the last show on April 16, BTS performed 20 songs including “ON,” “Burning Up (FIRE),” “DOPE,” “DNA,” “Blue & Grey,” “Black Swan,” “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “Fake Love,” “Life Goes On,” “Boy With Luv,” “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Telepathy” and “IDOL.”
For the encore of the last day, the members chose “Anpanman” and “Go Go” for the grand finale of the four-day concerts.
In line with the previous series of the tour, “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage-Las Vegas” also focused on the “encounter” between BTS and fans. The overall stage production was designed to emphasize the band including the setlist composed of all-seven-member songs and props and effects minimized to highlight the performance itself.
The Live Play in Las Vegas” at MGM Grand Garden Arena was accompanied by experiential spaces such as BTS Photocard Random Box and BTS photo studio for fans to enjoy along with the concert.
BTS Photo Studio, which allowed fans to take an AR photo with BTS and instantly print as photo cards, was especially well-received by fans. During the show, the actual special effects used on stage delivered fans a more vivid live concert experience.
Closing up the last day of the tour, BTS said, “What we remember most from this show is your cheers. For the past nine years, you are the reason we have been happy.”
They added, “We won’t forget our show in Las Vegas.” The show closed with the last song “Permission to Dance.”
Las Vegas transforms into BTS City with “The City” project
Las Vegas rolled out the red carpet for BTS. “The City” project made the Las Vegas leg even more special. Before and after the concerts from April 5 to April 17, “The City” project transformed Las Vegas into “BTS City” with various programs ranging entertainment, hospitality and shopping for the fans to enjoy.
With its concept “urban concert playpark”, “The City” provided various entertainment activities and events throughout the entire city to resemble a theme park, offering fans a more extensive and immersive experience utilizing performance and artists’ IP beyond the concerts.
“The City” included the BTS POP-UP: PERMISSION TO DANCE in LAS VEGAS, an experiential pop-up store selling official merch including city exclusive items; BEHIND THE STAGE: PERMISSION TO DANCE, a photo exhibition of the behind-the-scenes of “BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE” concerts and backstage; Bellagio Fountain Show, a spectacular fountain show featuring BTS’ “Dynamite” and “Butter”; CAFÉ IN THE CITY, a dining experience serving BTS’ favorite Korean dishes; and BTS Themed Rooms at MGM Resorts’ hotels across the Las Vegas Strip.
During the four days of the concert, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) operated a special booth to promote Korean culture. Visited by approximately 13,000 people over four days, the booth offered the audience to experience Hanbok (Korean traditional clothing) and scents that match each city in Korea.
Samyang Foods also opened “Buldak Ramen Booth” with special events, which received around 10,000 participants per day.
BTS ended the Las Vegas concert with the announcement that they will be releasing a new album on June 10.
“BTS will be back with another new album on June 10, 2022. Details on the new album will be provided in a separate notice at a later date. We look forward to your love and support for BTS’ new album,” announced Big Hit Music on April 17.
BTS bid farewell to fans on the last day of the concert on April 16.
“Our Permission to Dance is finally over. Actually, I got to say this, the Permission to Dance is just a one-time thing. We want to give you a present, make this a total package. This is our 12th show. This could be done because of your love,” said RM.