Stray Kids made their recent comeback with their mini album titled 'ATE' on July 19th. ATE having a dual meaning standing for "eight" members of Stray Kids and also the common slang for english speakers meaning when someone has done a great job. Stray Kids most certainly "ate".
Since then title track 'Chk Chk Boom' has received 3 music show wins in South Korea and more notably peaking on Billboard Hot 100 at #49 and the album reaching #1 on the Billboard 200. "ATE' has become a top selling album in the United States and across the world totaling 283K albums since release. In the past year Stray Kids have headlined 4 festivals across the world from Lollapalooza in Paris in 2023, to I-days in Milan, BST Hyde Park in London and this past weekend Lollapalooza in Chicago.
The 'ATE' albums consists of 8 tracks with different vibes and rhythms. With songs like ‘MOUNTAINS’ and ‘Runners’ that will inspire all STAYS to fight through their difficult days. Bops like ‘JJAM’ and the Festival Version of Chk Chk Boom will keep you energized throughout the day. The title ‘Chk Chk Boom’ and ‘I Like It’ add in rhythms and sounds influenced by Latin pop and EDM to further expand the variety of sounds that is Stray Kids. Han brought another lyrical sensation with ‘Twilight’ a perfect soothing song for day or night.
Stray Kids announced a world tour titled ‘dominATE’ starting off with Seoul for 4 days in the end of August to September and then moving to various areas in Asia and Australia. These include Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Latin America, North America and Europe dates are still to come estimating sometime in 2025.
Lollapalooza is a famous outdoor summer music festival that takes place in the city of Chicago, Illinois in the Midwest of the United States. Numerous artists performed from modern pop, rock bands, rappers and DJs. Stray Kids was the final act on the second largest stage on the second day of the festival. Stays have queued up for many hours for a close spot to catch the anticipated set. Stray Kids left little to disappoint as they brought out many of their energetic favorites going all the back to ‘Miroh’ and the most recent release ‘Chk Chk Boom’. Of course these 8 jokesters had us fooled not once but twice thinking the set was over with but Stays and even members pushed for “ONE MORE”. As the songs kept going and going with a neverending party, members smiling and running around the stage to see Stay and perform their choreography, the members noticeably become sweating from all the movement. The biggest notice was Felix who unbuttoned his white vest multiple times during the final part of the set. Stays went wild as this sweet Felix became a different person on the stage!
Towards the end of the set, fireworks erupted from the stage lighting up the sky. It was truly a moment of pure awe as Stay and the members of Stray Kids watched the fireworks, recognizing how far and popular Stray Kids have become. One of my favorite photos is of Han looking back at the fireworks while on stage as he has missed them at previous festivals.
While I was at home watching the livestream it was an experience just to watch live with many other Stays and participate in live tweeting throughout it. This being an experience I have always enjoyed when COVID hit it was my favorite thing if there was a concert or live event where myself and my twitter now x mutuals would react together.
Regardless of the difficult and complicated times as Stray Kids have reached new heights with a bigger fanbase, I continue to appreciate those who show up in my timeline, interact with my posts or even message me. Stray Kids not only brought themselves Stay around the world, but Stays have found Stays around the world to enjoy this journey in our lives of stanning Stray Kids together.
Signing Off, Ryn ☆