South Korean boyband, VAV, kicked off their month-long US tour Subcönscióus in Jersey City Friday where hundreds of fans flocked from all over the country, with many traveling from the Big Apple to White Eagle Hall in support of the group they say has taught them self-love.
New Yorker Yvette Memsah, 30, was all smiles after returning from her fan chat and autograph signing with VAV—an acronym for Very Awesome Voice—on Jan. 5.
“Just hearing them say I’m beautiful was amazing. It’s not every day you hear someone say that,” Memsah said, her eyes shining brightly.
The six-member team consisting of St. Van, Ace, Ayno, Jacob, Lou and Ziu first formed in 2015–housed by A Team Entertainment–and for years Memsah has been following their work. She said that they have been a source of comfort for her when times got tough, clinging to their positive message and playful personalities to keep her afloat.
“I came here to support them because they mean a lot to me. They are also my source of support, so I really wanted to see them and support them,” Memsah said. “Whenever I am having a hard day, just seeing their videos helps make me smile and relax, and just feel better. They are my emotional support boys, that’s why they mean a lot.”
Nineteen-year-old T’Khia Dixon is also from New York City and shared that she was able to see VAV during their first US tour in 2020. She says that she has waited four years to see her favorite group perform once again.
“I was so excited for the fan chat experience; it was really good. I was really nervous, but they wanted to make me feel comfortable, so they asked me questions about myself, so I didn’t have to overthink it. It was such a good experience,” Dixon said.
VAV has built a reputation of going above and beyond for their fans, affectionately known as VAMPZ, through autograph signings and even picking out a handful of attendees to join them on stage to grant a few wishes for them (such as taking a selfie together, serenading them, or a simple hug).
The 10-city tour, which includes Jersey City, Chicago, Orlando, San Juan, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles is presented by Studio PAV, which includes a special fan segment called “Pick a pose” allowing attendees to take a one-on-one polaroid photo with their favorite artist after the concert.
This intimate opportunity and to show support for the group is why fans such as Kiera Vallee, 23 traveled all the way from Tennessee on her birthday to see VAV.
“I am here because I have been inspired by their music,” Vallee said, who credits VAV and K-pop in general for pushing her to pursue a career in music. “It’s my first VAV concert. They’ve pushed me and encouraged me to continue moving forward and it helped me. I’m going to do music now. I’m in school learning how to produce music now.”
VAV’s performance at White Eagle Hall had fans jumping onto their tiptoes and waving their light sticks eagerly as they sang along to hits such as “Senorita,” “She’s Mine” and even cover songs like Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” and Bruno Mars’ “Marry Me.”
“We can truly feel all of the VAMPZ energy all the way up here on stage,” Anyo said to the crowd of screaming VAMPZ. “We prepared really hard for this, so we hope you guys enjoy it.”
The next stop on VAMPZ tour is San Juan, Puerto Rico on Jan. 11.
