On April 24th, Big Ocean brought their ‘THE GREATEST BATTLE’ Tour to the Avalon Hollywood. The show showcased a night of inclusivity and community throughout. Big Ocean is a three-member K-pop group, comprised of Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok. Formed by Parastar Entertainment, they are K-pop’s first group to feature members with hearing impairments.
They began the concert by performing “Cold Moon,” a track off their latest album, “The Greatest Album.” This track is softer compared to those on the album, but it contains an energetic feeling throughout. This song had fans cheering the members from the beginning, creating an immersive experience between fan and artist.
They would continue the show by performing all the songs off their first mini-album, “Follow.” It started with “Glow,” then followed with “Flow,” and “Blow.” What made this section of the concert special was that before each song, they would take the time to show the fans what they wanted them to do during the song. If it was having a wave from one end of the venue to the other. Or showing how to sign the key words, which was also a part of the choreography. These moments were honestly something special as they allowed everyone to be involved, but also learn during the show.
The show would continue by highlighting songs from their second mini-album, “Underwater.” They performed songs like“Fade Out” and “Attention,” which Chanyeon helped co-write “Fade Out.” . This segment of the show showcased a new side to the members with dynamic choreography and stage presence, captivating the audience.
Before all the solo stages, fans got to see Big Ocean’s first sub-unit perform “Bucket Hat.” The song’s unit is called Big Ocean JJ, which is made up of PJ and Jiseok. Watching the performance, you could feel the youthful and powerful energy throughout the entirety. Which fans were excited for, as before the performance, we got to see a quick VCR about the iconic bucket hat and the amazing powers it had. Making everyone want a bucket hat.
SOLO STAGES:
After showcasing their songs from previous albums, each solo stage brought a unique vibe that allowed the audience to see a new side of each member and hear f the inspiration and passion they had for creating it. One moment that stood out was during PJ’s stage, where he had Jiseok pick a fan to be his “ex’ for the entire performance of his song.
That’s were we meet Miku, who got to share the stage with PJ for his solo stage. We were able to talk to her about the experience. “When I first got called on stage, I didn’t think they were talking to me, but when I realized it was for me, I was confused but also very happy to be chosen by the members to join PJ on the stage! It was truly an amazing experience being on stage and seeing PJ performing his solo song right in front of me. (Also had so much fun acting as his Ex lol) It was an unforgettable moment. I miss it already,” she shares. During his performance, everyone was cheering for both him and Miku during the entirety of the song.
Followed by Chanyeon’s performance in which he covered “ Forest of Dreams” by Kinetic Flow. The song and performance created a moment for fans where they can just focus on the music and take a breath.
We ended the solo stages with Jiseok’s performance called “ .” This song is about overcoming challenges and becoming stronger from them. This is a heartfelt message to fans but also to themselves. Who has created a path that otherwise wouldn’t be known.
Towards the end of the show, Big Ocean performed their latest title track, “One Man Army.” Which had gone viral on social media for the group’s latest concept and for the message behind the song. The meaning of “One Man Army” is about having the courage and willingness to continue to fight even when the odds are against you. Even before they performed the song, we got to see the music video play first. It was powerful and unique to see, as they brought the song and its meaning to life. This had fans captivated in the performance the entire time.
Big Ocean is a group to watch with their powerful and deeply felt love for performing. They create a community where everyone can feel heard and a part of not only at their concerts but also on social media. By incorporating sign language into their choreography, they bring inclusivity and learning opportunities into K-pop. Be sure to follow Big Ocean on all its platforms to keep up to date with its activities. Also, a huge thank you to Parastar Entertainment for making this happen.
NACE MEDIA | Sydney
