On Friday, September 5th, ASH ISLAND officially kicked off his highly anticipated tour with a sold-out show at The Vermont Hollywood. From the very first beat to the final farewell, the Korean hip-hop artist delivered a concert that was equal parts electrifying, emotional, and deeply personal. He proved why he’s become a global force in the music scene.
Setting the Tone: Soundcheck and Anticipation
Before the official start, a select group of fans was treated to a sneak peek during soundcheck. ASH ISLAND ran through a haunting trio: “Error,” “Nightmare,” and “Illusory Dream.” Even in this informal moment, the depth of his lyrics and intensity of his delivery set the tone.
Lights, Energy, Action: The Concert Begins
As the lights dimmed, fans roared to life when ASH ISLAND opened with “Drop Top” and “A Star is Born.” He immediately connected with the crowd, giving hi-fives to fans in the front row before introducing himself with an infectious grin.
The energy only grew with “U know it” and “Empty head.” Midway through, as he adjusted his mic stand, someone in the audience yelled “Marry me!” — a moment that made ASH ISLAND laugh, showing his playful side amidst the intensity of his music.
From Shadows to Sing-Alongs
With the audience fully locked in, ASH ISLAND cycled through fan-favorites like “Error,” the melancholic “Beautiful,” and the emotional ballad “작별인사 (Farewell).” He asked the crowd to sing along to “MELODY” — and they did, word for word. “WONDER” and “OST” followed, adding layers of dreamlike introspection to the night’s set.
At one point, he asked, “Does it rain a lot in LA?” which was met with a resounding “No!”. He cheekily responded, “Well, we’ll make it rain,” before drenching the front rows with water as “Rainy Day” kicked off. It was theatrical, raw, and undeniably fun.
Gratitude and Grit
The rapper took a heartfelt pause to thank his fans for coming to the first show of the tour. “It’s been a hard time lately,” he admitted, “but you guys are giving me so much strength.” That emotional vulnerability bled into the next sequence of songs — “Erase it,” “괜찮아 (It’s Okay),” “Nightmare,” and “Rose in the Heart”. He sprayed the opposite side of the crowd with water, keeping the energy dynamic and inclusive.
Soulful Reflections and Second Wind
Before diving into “Lonely,” “24,” and “Last Moments,” ASH ISLAND noted that he felt the audience was “listening with their hearts,” a sentiment that clearly meant everything to him.
He then exited the stage as dramatic lights and music swelled. There was a brief interlude that set the stage for a powerful second act. Emerging in a new outfit, he launched into “Because,” and “I don’t wanna be your hero“. He then went into the poignant “I remember,” which he called “one of my favorite bittersweet love songs.”
Then, turning the dial back up, he asked, “Should we get wild again?”. The crowd erupted, and the venue exploded with back-to-back bangers: “Noyb,” “Grand Prix” (during which he ditched his jacket), “Paranoid,” “Band,” “Beer,” and “Everything.” This stretch felt like a controlled riot — chaotic in all the right ways.
Final Moments, Forever Memories
As the show neared its end, ASH ISLAND slowed things down with “Ghost of you“. He then went into “1+1,” and “One More Night,” asking fans to turn on their phone flashlights. The venue shimmered like a sea of stars — a stunning visual that matched the emotional weight of the music.
Before the final encore, he ran off stage once more and returned wearing a tour T-shirt for “Black rose,” the night’s closing track. He promised fans he would be back and gave a heartfelt goodbye: “LA will stay in my heart forever.”
Before exiting, he took a group photo with the crowd — a moment frozen in time for a night that neither he nor his fans will forget.
Photos by: Lucy Ho | Written by: Diana Kamel
