CORTIS Storms Texas: Inside BigHit’s Newest Boyband’s First-Ever Tour
The latest boyband from BigHit Music, CORTIS, landed in Texas as part of their first North American tour (and first tour ever). The <PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN> tour combines the pop-friendly music and upbeat dancing CORTIS delivers and puts it on display for cheering fans.
The show starts a bit out of place, with one of the five members sitting on a couch apart from the group. Keonho, with both his hands in casts, is off to the side while wearing a headset mic. Due to an injury, he abstains from most choreography but sings his parts.
As the show gets going, you are able to instantly see where their influences lie. Boosted bass, stuttering hi-hats and choppy vocal styles are reminiscent of Playboi Carti and youthful rebellion. Autotuned phrases and wild head banging can be attributed to Travis Scott. Melodic and trippy imagery to Future. Being in Texas, they had to shout out one of their Texan collaborators, Teezo Touchdown, another artist who fits in well with their style. Even with the hiphop and rap influences running through their music, the classic sheen of KPOP shines through. The snappy, synchronized choreo, lightsticks, and merch of your favorite member was prevalent around the venue. The love was felt and seen as the band extended their thank yous to the audience for bearing the southern heat with them.
Looking at their setlist beforehand, many songs repeat. It’s what you get when you have a group still relatively in its infancy. It’s been just a year since their debut, after all. However, as the energy amped up throughout the night, the reinvisioned songs previously performed came alive in a new way. The crowd was READY. Jumping up and down, repeating the chants, and taking in the remixed songs. Language barriers were not a problem. The “put your phone down” ethos (coupled with “PYPD” ballcaps sold at the merch stand) encouraged patrons to be present, as phones were visibly lowered when the band instructed them to. But that rule was not enforced. Members came into the crowd and made their way down the aisles as fans extended their hands and filmed them buzzing past with their security. The look on their faces was of confidence and gratefulness, knowing they can fill up a theater and make it look easy.
Many milestones await CORTIS. Their debut album chief among them. The word is spreading about this young group and people are noticing. Their genre-blending music and trendy style have all been topics of discussion. As the group progresses, they’ll have a fanbase waiting to support them.
