55 thousand fans. That was the attendance figure for Stray Kids’ inaugural concert in Brazil, held at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. For some, this turnout is remarkable (and even surprising) for a K-pop group that had never performed in Brazil before. However, for others, it reflects the passion of the Brazilian audience, who waited seven years — the same age as the group — to see them live and experience the concert firsthand.
At the concert, Clash’s reporters encountered men and women of all ages, including children with their parents, who had traveled from various regions of Brazil to attend the show in Rio de Janeiro. “I believe that all the effort people made to be here today, like traveling from another state, is a way to express our love for them,” said Ana Maria, 21, from Minas Gerais.
It was no surprise that the eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. — felt this affection from Brazilian fans in person and even attempted to communicate in Portuguese multiple times, displaying their delight at being in the country. They often smiled, placed their hands over their hearts, and expressed, with a strong accent but sincere emotions: “Eu te amo” (“I love you”).
The sky over Rio de Janeiro witnessed a unique event on the night of April 1st — and it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke (April 1st is widely recognized as April Fool’s Day in Brazil and many other countries). As the opening notes of ‘MOUNTAINS’ resounded throughout Nilton Santos Stadium, it became evident that this was more than just a concert — it was a long-awaited reunion between idols and their fans. Stray Kids didn’t simply set foot on Brazilian soil; they claimed it, showcasing powerful vocals, precise choreography, and an emotional performance that crossed all language barriers.
For three hours, the group lived up to the name of their tour, dominATE, commanding the stage with an almost cinematic fervor. The setlist was a nonstop celebration of hits — from ‘Thunderous’ to ‘Back Door’, with ‘Chk Chk Boom’, ‘God’s Menu’, and ‘MANIAC’ in between — all enhanced by a robust live band, dynamic energy, and a captivating showcase by their dancers that was impossible to ignore. The production peaked with a spectacular 360-degree fireworks display that illuminated the night sky, creating an unforgettable moment for Stray Kids and their STAY fandom.
The unit performances were a spectacle of their own. In ‘Truman’, HAN and Felix delivered sharp raps with the confidence of performers who knew the audience was fully engaged. ‘Burnin’ Tires’ by Changbin and I.N. was pure exhilaration — like a speeding car with no brakes. In ‘ESCAPE’, Bang Chan and Hyunjin transformed the stadium into a sea of emotions, while ‘CINEMA’, performed by Lee Know and Seungmin, provided a moment of reprieve with sweet, cinematic melodies. The Korean version of ‘GIANT’ concluded that segment with a grand, unforgettable performance. The group also performed ‘Walkin’ On Water’, ‘S-Class’, ‘TOPLINE’, ‘MEGAVERSE’, and other essential tracks.
As the night came to a close, visibly touched, the members shared with the audience: “It feels like everything we experienced over these seven years was culminating in this moment. There were many times when it was tough, but I feel like we persevered just to reach this point.”
The dominATE world tour — the group’s largest to date — also features two shows in São Paulo on April 5 and 6, and continues through stadiums across Latin America, North America, Japan, and Europe until the end of July. The tour is expected to attract a total audience of 2.2 million people.
However, for those who attended the concert in Rio that night, the numbers hold little significance. Because when the fireworks illuminated the sky and the cheers resonated in the stadium, what they experienced was beyond just a concert — it was a historic moment. The beginning of a new chapter for Stray Kids and Brazil.
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Words: Isadora + Isabella Wandermurem Photos: JYP Entertainment/Diego Castanho
Related: Meet Stray Kids, The Group That’s Redefined the K-Pop Scene
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55,000 fans were present at Stray Kids' inaugural concert in Brazil, which took place at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.