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BTS embarks on grand stadium world tour

  • Published : May 2, 2019 - 14:47
  • Updated : May 2, 2019 - 14:47

Having scooped two prizes at Wednesday’s Billboard Music Awards, BTS is kicking off its “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” world tour Saturday at Rose Bowl Stadium near Los Angeles, California.

Following the septet’s release of its chart-topping album, the massive stadium tour takes the band to eight cities across the US, Brazil, the UK, France and Japan through July.

Starting with a two-day run at the 90,000-capacity LA stadium, BTS will perform at Soldier Field in Chicago from May 11-12; MetLife Stadium in New Jersey from May 18-19; Allianz Parque in Sao Paolo, Brazil, from May 25-26; Wembley Stadium in London from June 1-2; Stade de France in Paris from June 7-8; Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka, Japan, from July 6-7; and Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa from July 13-14 in Shizuoka, Japan.


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“Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” is an extension of the band’s critically acclaimed “Love Yourself” world tour spanning 12 countries, which began last year and ended in April.

The tour’s concerts had all sold out, prompting the band to add five more dates in the US and Europe.

One of the most anticipated venues for the upcoming tour is Wembley Stadium. The site of the 90,000-seat stadium has hosted legendary acts including Queen, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce and Adele. Tickets sold out in just 90 minutes, making BTS the first Asian artists to sell it out. It will also be the first Korean band to play there.

Fans can watch the sold-out Wembley concert in real time on Naver’s streaming platform V Live at 3:30 a.m. on June 2 (Korea time). Access to the livestream and replays is available for purchase via the V Live app and website for about 33,000 won ($28.30).

The phrase “speak yourself” was introduced during BTS’ speech at the United Nations last fall. “I want to hear your voice. ... No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, your gender identity -- just speak yourself,” leader RM said.

Earlier this month, BTS released the album “Map of the Soul: Persona.” The group debuted the album by performing lead track, “Boy With Luv” on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

The seven-track album topped the Billboard 200 chart in its first week, while “Boy With Luv” took the eighth spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting song by a Korean group on the top singles ranking.

In the meantime, the boy band won two prizes at the BBMAs, including Top Duo/Group and Top Social Artist, becoming the first Korean act to win more than one honor at the annual event. BTS also gave a live performance of “Boy With Luv” with American pop singer Halsey for the first time.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)

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