Disclosure: This coverage is based on a ticket provided by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
The stars at night,
Are big and bright,
* clap clap clap clap*
Deep in the heart of Texas…
On April 17 and 18 in Austin, Texas, seven stars from TWICE shined extra bright across both nights. “Big and bright” were definitely understatements.
Normally, the K-Pop constellation that is TWICE is composed of nine shining stars. It was announced in late March that both Dahyun and Chaeyoung would remain in Korea, nursing injuries. The seven remaining stars, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, and Tzuyu, turned up the heat and shined even harder in their absence. Combined with the Texas heat and the energy from ONCE, the atmosphere wasn’t just electric. In a word, it was “hot.”
Speaking of ONCE (TWICE’s fandom), the Austin crowd showed up and showed out. Fans were dripped out in outfits inspired by TWICE’s music videos, stage costumes, and tour merch from across eras and regions. Being in Austin, there was also a strong Texas twist: cowboy hats, boots, and even life-sized Buc-ee’s costumes. Freebies were everywhere, with fans handing out handmade goods like photocards and bead bracelets. Standout items included Texas-style driver licenses featuring members and TWICE-themed H-E-B name tags.
Inside the arena, the energy was immediate. With Austin marking the final stop of the North American leg, the crowd was ready to go all out. The cheers came with barking (thanks, Arsenio Hall and the Dog Pound), with Jeongyeon happily playing along. Armed with synchronized Candy Bong ♾️ lightsticks, ONCE brought the heat and were stars of their own during the concert.
One of the biggest stars of the show was the massive 360-degree stage. Before the show began, the ominous “THIS IS FOR” text hanging above the arena gave off the feeling of a steel cage waiting to drop. Once things got underway, the screens ensured there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Mobile cameramen captured close-ups from within the action, while the stage floor lit up with detailed graphics. Elevating platforms added another dimension, giving fans in higher sections a closer look. A standout VCR segment after Act Three transformed the screens into stacked cube formations, highlighting the members with layered visual effects.
Extended stages on both ends of the arena were connected by a long walkway, creating plenty of space for movement. Most solos took place here, though the members frequently roamed, engaging in their own “side quests” of fan service. A large team of dancers added to the scale, entering from the walkways and performing across both the main and extended stages. Between these sections were floor pits for fans closest to the action, one of which also housed another star of the show, the live band.
Positioned between the pit and the main stage, the live band delivered all night. Their presence added a dynamic layer to the show, amplified by on-screen visuals of flames during their jam session. The nearby ONCE fed off their energy, especially when the keyboardist waved her towel and hyped up the crowd. Live bands in K-Pop performances are becoming more common, and here, it paid off.
Of course, the brightest stars were the members of TWICE themselves. From the opening of “This Is For” and “Strategy,” the energy was locked in. The pacing rarely dipped, with constant movement between songs, visuals, and choreography. The 360-degree stage left no room to hide, making every formation change visible and intentional. Combined with the fluid scale of the production, it made the two-plus hours fly by.
The setlist has evolved since the tour’s opening in Korea on July 19, 2025. With Dahyun and Chaeyoung absent, their solos and unit stages like “DAT AHH DAT OOH” were understandably missing. In response, the remaining members’ solo songs had a little bit extra to fill in those gaps. Tzuyu’s “Run Away,” introduced during the Taipei shows, landed particularly well in Austin. Jeongyeon’s “FIX A DRINK” leaned fully into a western theme, complete with cowgirl styling, while Jihyo’s “ATM” showcased her commanding “Hot Girl era” presence. “TAKEDOWN” bathed the arena in a pink glow, with Jihyo and Jeongyeon delivering enough energy to rival any K-Pop Demon Hunters moment.
The final act leaned into TWICE’s biggest hits, including “FANCY” and “Dance the Night Away,” while also bringing out their more playful side. The members loosened up, leaned into fan service, and let the atmosphere carry them. The encore began with “Feel Special,” followed by crowd requests (R.I.P. the original roulette wheel). The closing moments were filled with chaotic, fun interactions that left both TWICE and ONCE smiling.
As the night ended, the post-show energy lingered. Conversations buzzed with excitement, fans replaying their favorite moments and talking about how their bias looked even better in person. You could hear the clusters of excitement in their voices and see the twinkle in their eyes in their expressions.
Congratulations to TWICE on closing out the North American leg of the THIS IS FOR tour in style. With Japan and Europe still ahead, a full-strength return could push this already electric run into something even bigger. For ONCE, this was already a supernova-level experience.
