On October 8th, after only a year, Wave to Earth returned to Houston with a sold-out show at the Bayou Music Center. The excitement was palpable as an impressive number of fans lined up early, with the line wrapping around the venue twice in eager anticipation of the performance.
The Seoul-based trio Wave to Earth, featuring singer-songwriter Daniel Kim, drummer Shin Dong Kyu, and bassist John Cha, debuted in 2019 with their single “wave.” Since then, they’ve carved out a distinct space in the music scene with their signature indie pop sound.
Over the last year, “seasons” became an internet sensation, loved for its soft vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and immersive sound. With over 294 million streams on Spotify, the track has secured Wave to Earth a spot on countless playlists worldwide. Thanks to their rising popularity, the 0.03 World Tour is being hosted in venues more than twice the size of those from their previous tour, reflecting their expanding fanbase.
The night kicked off with indie-rock/alternative band PRYVT (pronounced “private”), setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable evening. Fronted by vocalist Hanuel and accompanied by producer/guitarist JT, the band performed without their bassist HNATA, who was absent for the tour. PRYVT captivated the audience with their smooth vocals and emotive lyrics, delivering standout tracks like “tell me, will we survive?,” “i can’t go home, anymore,” and fan favorite “if it’s not you.” Fans were thrilled when the band announced their upcoming album, set to release on November 15th. By the end of their set, PRYVT had undoubtedly won over many new listeners with their remarkable performance.
Following a short intermission, excitement filled the room as Wave to Earth took the stage, joined by additional members Jeon-min on saxophone and Jo Jung-geun on keyboard. The five musicians showcased their extraordinary talent, kicking off with “are you bored?” from their latest album play with Earth! 0.03. The energy stayed high as they moved through the title track “play with earth!” and fan favorites “bad” and “peach eyes,” with the audience enthusiastically singing along to every lyric.
Wave to Earth continued their set with live renditions of tracks from their latest album, including “beck,” “holyland,” and the remastered version of “pueblo.” It was a true testament to their musicianship, as they effortlessly sounded even better live, enhanced by ad-libs, standout guitar and saxophone solos, and an unforgettable drum solo by Dong Kyu.
One of the night’s most anticipated performances was “Annie,” known for its powerful, scream-along pre-chorus. The Houston crowd didn’t disappoint, shouting in unison, “F**k you, I am saying!” before Daniel’s soulful vocals took over, sending chills through the entire venue.
The atmosphere was electric, from front to back, with even the back rows swaying together and shouting along to their favorite songs. In the latter half of the show, Wave to Earth delighted fans with some of their earlier hits, including beloved tracks like “seasons,” “pink,” and “love.” Despite “love” being entirely in Korean, nearly everyone in the venue sang along, creating a heartwarming and unified moment.
As the show neared its end, Wave to Earth took a moment to sit on stage for a photo with the audience, commemorating an incredible performance and an equally enthusiastic crowd. The night was a clear reflection of the band’s growing popularity, not just in Texas, but across the U.S. With their 0.03 World Tour marking their second sold-out North American tour, it’s evident that Wave to Earth is on the path to even bigger stages in the future.
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