Katseye’s “beautifully chaotic” phoenix debut
The global girl group taking over the world, “KATSEYE,” made their Phoenix debut at the Arizona Financial Theatre on November 3rd, 2025. KATSEYE, a group made up of six members (Yoonchae, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan & Sophia), was formed in 2023 through the reality competition show Dream Academy. With over 120,000 individuals auditioning for the group, these six girls were chosen due to their talents in singing, dancing, rapping, and overall star quality. In the short two years since their formation, this group has taken the world (and TikTok) by storm.
Moments of KATSEYE on Stage at the Arizona Financial Theatre, Nov. 3rd, 2025. Photos By: Rahul Bhatt
The moment I approached the venue for the sold-out show, I could immediately feel the excitement and energy from the fans. Groups waiting outside the box office hoping to get last-minute tickets to hear the group’s hits, such as “Gnarly” and “Touch,” I immediately knew this show and the fandom these girls have created was something special. In place of an opener, fans created their own hype as music videos played on the big screen. Cheering, singing, and dancing, the crowd hyped one another up for the main act, building the night’s energy all on their own.
As soon as the lights dimmed and their silhouettes rose up from the ground, the crowd was captivated. Beginning their set with their first released song, “Debut,” the audience cheered so loud it made the 5,000-capacity venue feel like an arena. After their first run of songs, each member had a moment to introduce themselves. Oftentimes in a group, especially one with six members, some members tend to fade into the background, but that wasn’t the case here. Every girl had their own time to shine throughout the show, from talking and singing to dancing. It was refreshing to see a group so well-bonded and supportive of one another on stage.
Despite their relatively short discography, the show was filled with well-crafted moments, including dance breaks, a run of their GAP commercial choreography, and their unreleased song “Internet Girl.” This was by far one of my favorite moments of the night. The track is unreleased and has only been sung live on this tour, but due to its virality on TikTok, the audience (including me) already knew the words and choreography. You know a group has truly made an impact on pop culture when you can get a crowd of 5,000 singing and dancing to a song that isn’t even out yet! It was a great pleasure to witness and be a part of such a special moment like this one.
KATSEYE Performing Their Hit “Gnarly” at the Arizona Financial Theatre on Nov. 3rd, 2025. Photo By: Rahul Bhatt
Overall, the production of the show was incredible. From lights, smoke, and confetti, to captivating visuals, choreography, and outfit changes, Katseye truly had it all for their first tour as a group. However, one of my personal favorite moments of the show overall was when the band performed “Time Lapse,” which highlights member Yoonchae, the only Korean member of the band. She spoke about how this song means so much to her due to the fact that she was able to sing in her first language, similar to their song “Gabriela,” which features Daniela singing in Spanish. I loved that, though this group primarily writes in English, these songs added emphasis to their multicultural identity. This element is extremely important in today’s media as a representation for their younger audiences and those who see themselves reflected on stage. This element is what sets them apart from other groups and what I believe will be a key factor in their longevity.
In just two years, Katseye has built a truly loyal, strong, and fierce fanbase. With their first tour selling out in minutes, I truly believe this group is going to go far and become one of the most influential groups of the time. Their Phoenix show was a captivating combination of their vocal talent, performance strength, and genuine connection as both a group and with their fans. If this show/tour is any indication of what is to come for Katseye, I truly believe they will become one of the defining pop groups of our generation.
KATSEYE Performing “Monster High Fright Song” at Arizona Financial Theatre, Nov. 3rd, 2025. Photo By: Rahul Bhatt