The New York Times selects Big Bang & 2NE1 concerts for ‘Best Concerts of 2012′

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

2012 was a huge year for YG Entertainment, lead by Psy, their popularity has truly gone global. With their growing influence, two of their top acts held their first World Tours.

The ladies of 2NE1 embarked on their ‘New Evolution World Tour‘ back on July 28th in Seoul. They then proceeded to visit the United States (Newark & Los Angeles), Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama, Saitama), Taiwan (Taipei), and finally Singapore.

Big Bang also held the first global tour of their own and it was on an even larger scale. Korean conglomerate Samsung signed on to officially sponsor the tour, endorsing their Galaxy line of phones as it was named the ‘Alive Galaxy Tour‘. They also formed a partnership with Live Nation. The tour kicked off in Seoul back in March, they initially planned only 25 shows but due to the high demand, the tour actually amounted to 48 shows in 13 different countries. After the Seoul concert they concentrated on Asia visiting Japan (Nagoya, Yokohama, Osaka, Saitama, Fukuoka, Tokyo), China (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Hong Kong), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok), Indonesia (Jakarta), Taiwan (Taipei), Philippines (Manila), and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). They also visited Europe, North America, and South America with stops in England (London), the United States (Anaheim, Newark), and Peru (Lima). Big Bang will have 2 more concerts in Osaka and then finally wrap up their epic tour in Seoul from January 25 to January 27.

The New York Times took notice and selected both of their concerts in Newark’s Prudential Center for their ‘Best Concerts of 2012‘ list.

They wrote:

A concert is always more than just a rendering of songs. It’s a musical revamp, a real-time test, a spectacle, a pop-up community, perhaps a dance party or an incipient riot — and, even in the YouTube era, an ephemeral, site-specific experience. Here the pop and jazz critics of The New York Times recall some of their favorite live events of 2012, in order of importance.

2NE1 Aug. 17, and BIGBANG Nov. 8, both at Prudential Center, Newark. This was the year K-pop arrived — not in the form of “Gangnam Style,” which was everywhere and yet completely evanescent — but in these arena shows, which were full of thousands of young, paying fans eager to see the girls of 2NE1 and the boys of BigBang, groups with zero American hits between them, but rabid American followings all the same.

Congratulations to both groups!
Source: Allkpop, The New York Times

Comments

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

this lie, rn.

2NE1's tour was a flop. and the gap in quality between theirs and BB makes me feel sorry for them. also they don't have the clout for a "world tour"---idek wtf YG was thinking, look at how many shows they performed? BB had to ADD dates while 2NE1 ended up cancelling.

shoulda had their asses in korea releasing music instead of paying for that flop tour. ILY was the first song they released in a long time that i actually enjoyed. i'm not a blackjack but i'd be bitter as hell if i was them. 2NE1 these days have been reduced to the CL and stranger bitch show.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

pretty much
I don't understand either why YG send the girls on a world tour while they had no new material (one song is not enough). It was a stupid move and very unprofessional imo

Actually 2012 was a flop year for him as a CEO imo
Sure BB sold well, PSY went viral(not because of him though) but releasing mini for both GD AND Big Bang when he had material for fulls was stupid, especially when it's a known fact (really dude you want to brag about having tones of songs but not releasing them).

Talking non-stop about 2NE1 and their Will.I.Am album, new song, new everything, then giving nothing was even worst. It's not even YG trolling anymore, it's juts a bad stategy all around. And I'm not even gonna talk about the world tour because I could go for days

[soramai.livejournal.com]

"Actually 2012 was a flop year for him as a CEO imo"

This!
And not only 2012.

[mizzyoung.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

He keeps dragging his feet on 2ne1 and their US release so much that it seems dead or will be by the time it's released. Bom isn't getting younger and they need to put time in for a US breakthrough, yet YG can't even get Korea right. Imo they're looking more and more like they're in abit of a rut.

[gee.livejournal.com]

YG is a flop CEO every year lol. Back even before 2ne1 or BB, he was a fucking flop with keeping to schedules and managing things.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

True, but I really feel like he's at the top of his game rn
It's not like he has to do everything for BB, PSY, 2NE1 or even EH, they basically handle themselves so what the heck is he doing?

[unicornios.livejournal.com]

IA. Had a fight with a friend that is a YG stan and damn, did she blind herself trying to defend YG saying he was busy with Big Bang's tour and Psy's international success... I mean, I'm sorry but YG didn't do shit to help Psy with going viral. If anything, Scooter Braun did.
YG is flopping badly, he needs to get his shit together or get help because he is a mess.

[mizzyoung.livejournal.com]

Big Bang's concert was perfection. Definitely worth the $300 price tag for VIP. Wish I could've attended both nights though. Hopefully next time around if they have multiple shows on the East Coast, I'll go.

As for 2ne1, I really wished I could've went because from the fancams, the show looked like so much fun and I know more words from 2ne1 songs than Big Bang so I could sing a long throughout the show.

I think YG really needs to sit down and really analyze as well as plan out how exactly these tours should run. Because both tours (2ne1's especially) had sloppy planning. YG could've easily maximize exposure for both groups and ranked in more money. Big Bang cancelled tours in the West and added tours in Japan and I'm aware that because of profit, but it was still a shitty move.

[hopelessheartz.livejournal.com]

BB on the 9th was absolute perfection you are entirely correct. (Jealous of a girl I was with getting eye-fucked by Seungri but thats neither here nor there) I also wanted to go the 8th too, but it was a good thing I didnt buy tickets bc I wouldve missed over half of the show by my plane being delayed.


But I do think YG needs to get his shit together, since 2NE1 was shafted, Taeyang was supposed to have a song out last month, GD didnt have a full album. Thankfully their Japanese label is taking care of Daesung so that will actually happen.

[mizzyoung.livejournal.com]

Forever grateful that AVEX is letting my bby Dae getting his shine because if it was left up to YG, this solo would never exist.

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

i attended both shows and they went ALL OUT for the second show it was GLORIOUS.

and ITA about the pricing. i was mad as fuck at the ticket prices (i wasnt able to get VIP unfortunately) but the show was TOTALLY worth it.

and i didnt kno bb cancelled shows, i thought they only added dates to the japan leg of the tour...

also, wouldn't it have been smart if 2NE1 and BB toured together? i'm thinking it would be BB's show but 2NE1 could at least open for them and join in during the encore.

[mizzyoung.livejournal.com]

Canada was confirmed at one point and then nothing happened. They also cancelled Brazil a month before tickets went on sale. Japan ended up getting I think 80% of this tour.

It would've been a great idea if 2ne1 was Big Bang's opening act or something. They could not handle a world tour this early in their career by themselves. YG just figured if people shelled out money for Big Bang, they'll do the same for 2ne1. Again lack of research seeing as Big Bang were here longer and have an established international fanbase.

[45s.livejournal.com]

I don't get why 2ne1 didn't open for big bang. Cheaper and both fanbase would shell out for extras.

Like, Toronto was def confirmed at one point but I guess live nation couldn't get it together. It's frustrating bc Toronto is legit amazing for music and don't get why kpop acts pass us by

[vvipforseungri.livejournal.com]

I wish I could've gone to big bang's concert when they were in Newark. and from what I've heard about 2ne1's concert, if you were a fan you had
fun. but I feel bad for the girls' fans, YG really screwed them over.

[21banged.livejournal.com]

Calling bullshit on 2NE1 concert. I don't even feel like venting on how shit it was compared to BIGBANG's.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

Reading all these comments I can see KVIPs going "TOLD YOU YG SUCKS" since they were so sick of international YG stans going on and on about YG FAMILY OMG business.

The problem with YG is that after Big Bang the company grew BIG but he still manages it like a local SevenEleven. Worse is even 7-11 managers don't micromanage this much.

GIVE ME A FULL ALBUM FOR BIG BANG YG THEY ONLY HAVE TWO ALBUMS AND THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR SEVEN YEARS

[kayleen-san.livejournal.com]

Please, NYT, don't add my girls to this. I'm sure the show was lovely and whatnot, but an article like this may make YG think the tour was a GOOD idea.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

Worse, right now YG seems to be YG Family Tour would be a fantastic idea and I do not want my Big Bang to be overworked to death again.

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

I've never been in a 2NE1 concert but BB's concert in London was beyond awesome.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Why am I having a feeling that 2NE1 concert doing well is a lie?

Big Bang Concerts however I heard rave reviews.