LIVE REVIEWS
In another life, Jin would still be a superstar. Instead of being one-seventh of BTS, though, he’d be the affable host of a variety show, turning charisma and humour into ratings gold. Tonight, at the first of two London shows on his ‘#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR’ outing, he lives that fantasy.
This is not your typical concert, nor your usual K-pop extravaganza. Instead, it feels like you’re inside an episode of Jin’s Run Jin series, the web show he created as a spin-off from BTS’ own Run BTS. The logo for the programme remains in the corner of the big screens throughout the night, and when the singer first appears on stage for buoyant versions of ‘Running Wild’ and ‘I’ll Be There’, he jumps around a lightning-shaped podium with a big game-show style button on it.
Between performances, he leads the crowd in a series of “challenges” – a telepathy game where he has to guess a word through fans’ gestures alone, another where he has to figure out the song from the crowd’s a cappella singing. “Korean’s difficult for you too, huh?” he quips after fans struggle to recreate the rap verses in ‘Boy With Luv’. Compared to the usual flash of K-pop shows, where dramatic, cinematic VCRs often appear at regular intervals to uphold the narrative of the night, Jin’s is refreshingly down-to-earth, with only one video game-themed clip running right before the encore.
Jin’s performances aren’t without some extra razzle-dazzle, though. Many come accompanied by pyrotechnics and explosions of streamers, or during a snippet of BTS’ ‘Dynamite’, rainbow-coloured confetti explosions that mirror a scene in the music video. ‘Super Tuna’, meanwhile, sees him performing dressed in an inflatable alien costume – a “prize” the crowd earns during the first game of the evening. As he finds out what he’ll be wearing, he tilts his head and laughingly winces, as if bemusedly regretting his choices leading up to this moment.
The challenges and games – and Jin the variety host – are only half of the night’s story. On the flipside is the role that Jin is more commonly known for – phenomenal performer. He shines brightest when he’s engaged in emotionally rich songs, like a beautiful rendition of ‘Abyss’, which finds him seated at a paint-splattered purple piano, lost in the melancholy of the song. He’s equally commanding for the thundering ‘Another Level’, but ‘Rope It’’s endless lasso moves, his arm circling his head, becomes a little awkward.
As fun as the rest of the show is, it’s the closing section – no games, just quality songs – that really hits. A medley of BTS songs – the aforementioned ‘Dynamite’, ‘Butter’, ‘Mikrokosmos’ and ‘Spring Day’ – is received rapturously, fans screaming back every word of each song. ‘The Astronaut’, ‘Epiphany’ and ‘Moon’, meanwhile, showcase what Jin does best – soaring, sentimental songs that allow his voice to dazzle.
Before he wraps up the show for good with a sweet version of ‘To Me, Today’, he takes a moment to reflect. “I think five or six years ago, we sang ‘Epiphany’ here, right?” he says, referring to BTS’ 2018 concerts at this same venue. As he continues, he promises to come back “next time” – a pledge that whips up even more excitement in the stands, given his group’s impending March 2026 return. As a badge he wears at the start of the concert declares, stay tuned for that, and the burgeoning growth of Jin’s fun-filled solo career.
‘Running Wild’
‘I’ll Be There’
‘With The Clouds’
‘Falling’
‘Don’t Say You Love Me’
‘Super Tuna’
‘I Will Come To You’
‘Abyss’
‘Background’
‘Another Level’
‘Loser’
‘Rope It’
‘Dynamite’ / ‘Butter’ / ‘Mikrokosmos’ / ‘Spring Day’
‘The Astronaut’
‘Nothing Without Your Love’
‘Epiphany’
‘Moon’
‘To Me, Today’
LIVE REVIEWS
The closing hours of Reading 2026 have finally arrived. Florence + The Machine brought the rain during ‘Dog Days Are Over’ at The Grid, opening the heavens and leaving the festival site completely soaked. The weary fans who have stayed behind are wet, exhausted and clearly feeling the effects of the weekend. What they need now is one final enormous celebration to make the wait worthwhile.
The Gallery tent comes alive as the speakers blast ‘Favourite’ by Friday’s headliners and fellow countrymen Fontaines D.C., receiving the kind of reaction usually reserved for ‘Mr Brightside’ at a drunken wedding reception. Moments later, Kneecap display their familiar statement accusing Israel of carrying out genocide against the people of Palestine and Lebanon, with support from the UK government. It captures the Belfast rap trio perfectly, combining serious political messages with an unapologetic party atmosphere.
“We use our platform to talk about what we believe is right,” Mo Chara explains during the performance, before recognising those who “aren’t so fucking lucky” and whose voices have been suppressed. He soon encourages the audience to roar “fuck Netanyahu” and “free free Palestine”. Later, he starts a powerful chant of “Aaaaaa-ndy Buuurn-ham’s a waaaaaaan-ker” to the melody of ‘Seven Nation Army’, targeting our new Prime Minister over his claim that “a united Ireland is off the table”. Laughing, he asks: “The BBC won’t broadcast that, or will they?” As it turned out, they did not.
Away from the headlines and the controversy, there is no denying the connection Kneecap have built with their audience. Politics may shape the conversation, but the crowd also came to enjoy themselves, ready for a rave after the rally. The performance begins carefully with the heavy rumble of ‘Smugglers & Scholars’, before exploding during the Grian Chatten collaboration ‘Better Way To Live’ and the threatening energy of ‘Sick In The Head’. “Are ya ready for a mad one?” Mo Chara shouts. The response is already obvious.
The atmosphere becomes increasingly chaotic as the hip hop rhythm of ‘Cold At The Top’ and the hypnotic trance sounds of ‘An Ra’ send the entire tent into motion. The trio jokingly thank the UK for everything it has given Ireland, listing UKIP, fish and chips, a mental health crisis, Jimmy Saville, HP Sauce and Bloody Sunday. However, the show reaches another level once the second half begins. The explosive ‘Sayonara’ brings the ‘beef’ to ‘IBEEFA’, while ‘Get Your Brits Out’ and ‘Guilty Conscience’ give the crowd every reason to obey Móglaí Bap’s demand to “oooopen up the piiiiiit”.
Anyone watching closely may have questioned why the cameras continued to focus on Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara. The pair eventually reveal that they have spent recent weeks performing alongside a “provisional” DJ Próvai. Wearing the familiar tricolour balaclava, the temporary replacement handles his role as the crowd agitator with confidence while their bandmate enjoys some paternity leave. “Some things are more important than music, and that’s family,” they explain. How sweet. Móglaí Bap quickly destroys the tender moment by adding: “As you might know, the Brits took all our potatoes from Ireland; they took all our cocaine,” before declaring, “but we still have all our caaandy.” The group then charge directly into one of the biggest tracks ever written about extremely powerful ketamine.
‘Liar’s Tale’ sparks another huge reaction with its response to Keir Starmer, “genocide armer”, while the group warn that “you’re not getting away with doing nothing”. It is a politically charged message hidden inside an irresistible anthem from musicians who have experienced the “belly of the beast” through the legal system. Their latest album, ‘Fenian’, has helped Kneecap fully embrace the celebration that has always been part of their identity. Their live production now feels capable of filling arenas, blending the intimacy of a late night lock in with the rhythmic force and visual scale of The Chemical Brothers, the reckless electronic punk spirit of The Prodigy, and the fearless political honesty of Public Enemy. The spectacular visuals complete the experience.
Kneecap fans at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Kneecap fans at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Closing with the powerful combination of ‘Fenian’, ‘H.O.O.D.’ and the enormous ‘The Recap’, Kneecap bring our final celebration at Reading to a thrilling conclusion while also finishing their last festival appearance of the summer. “It’s been a pleasure to spend it with you mad c**ts,” Mo Chara says before leaving the stage. The feeling is mutual.
Return to NME here for the newest reports, reviews, photographs, conversations and further coverage from Reading & Leeds 2026.
