BTS’ SUGA kicks off US leg of D-DAY world tour with 43,000 fans in attendance

The whole U.S. leg was sold out early and the shows at USB Arena and Prudential Center over three nights were attended by approximately 43,000 people.

By Monica Yadav -

May 2, 2023 - 10:35 AM IST

Pop titans BTS’ member SUGA successfully kicked off his solo world tour SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY,’ two nights in Belmont Park and one night in Newark on April 26, 27 and 29. The whole U.S. leg was sold out early and the shows at USB Arena and Prudential Center over three nights were attended by approximately 43,000 people.

BTS’ SUGA kicks off US leg of D-DAY world tour with 43,000 fans in attendance

SUGA gave a show-stopping performance each night, with various unique elements to deliver his stories as SUGA and Agust D at the same time. He performed tracks from his solo discography, boasting his live performance skills with confidence.

The opening VCR showed SUGA and Agust D in various moments, and ended with SUGA lying on a street on a rainy day. Then he appeared on stage being carried by the dancers, connecting the scene from the VCR in real life. The show opened with “Haegeum,” the main track from his latest solo album D-DAY, “Daechwita,” “Agust D” and “give it to me” which immediately heated up the atmosphere. He said to the audience, “Tonight, you will see many things I’ve never shown you, as SUGA of BTS.”

Playing the guitar, SUGA performed the acoustic version of “Trivia 轉 : Seesaw,” and staged “SDL,” “People” and “People Pt.2,” showing a softer side of his music. Then he continued with “Moonlight,” “Burn It,” “Interlude : Shadow, ” the medley of “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” and “BTS Cypher 4,” and of “UGH!,” “Ddaeng” and “HuH?!” to switch up the mood.

SUGA also showed a new side of him by singing and playing the piano for Agust D’s version of “Life Goes On.” Before performing “Snooze,” SUGA paid tribute to the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, his role model, who featured in the song. He finished the night by staging “Polar Night” and “AMYGDALA.”

With the fans’ calling for an encore, SUGA reappeared on stage and performed “D-Day.” Closing the first night, SUGA said, “I had a lot of thoughts while preparing for this tour. I was worried and excited at the same time. But right before I got on the stage—I've been to a lot of stadiums—I didn’t feel nervous at all [this time]. [I thought to myself] Let's just show them everything I prepared. Today is the first day of the tour, and there are more shows left. Please enjoy the show until the end,” wrapping up the show with “Intro : NEVER MIND” and “The Last.”

SUGA | Agust D TOUR ‘D-DAY’ IN U.S. will continue to be held in Rosemont, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA until May 17. Then, the tour will hit Asia: Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; Kanagawa, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea until June 25.