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[K-Exclusive]: DPR DREAM REBORN IN MELBOURNE

December 19, 2024

DPR returned to Australia for their ‘THE DREAM REBORN’ world tour featuring DRP CREAM, DPR ARTIC & DPR IAN, performing shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The multi-talented collective showcased their artistry in a way that was uniquely their own.

The turnout for Melbourne’s concert on Tuesday, December 10th at Festival Hall was outstanding. A number of dedicated DREAMers lined up well before the doors opened to secure barricade spots to see the boys up close and personal for the night’s show.

DPR ARTIC kicked off the night with an electrifying DJ set, accompanied by stunning, immersive visuals that added depth to the experience. During his set, he played ‘POST’, ‘ESCAPE’, ‘DREAM’ and, ‘DO OR DIE’. Artic’s music seamlessly blends a unique mix of genres, with a strong emphasis on hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences. His style is defined by smooth, atmospheric beats and melodic flows, creating an immersive soundscape. The light show that accompanied Artic’s set was nothing short of spectacular. Pulsing, vibrant lights synchronized perfectly with the beats, enhancing the energy of each track. I overheard fellow DREAMers say that they felt like they were at a nightclub or a rave.

Next up to wow the stage was DPR CREAM. He kicked off his set with a trio of tracks—’ COLOUR DRIVE’, ‘TEST DRIVE’, and ‘DARLING’, each song seamlessly flowed into the next, showcasing his unique blend of smooth vocals and infectious beats. Cream thanked the crowd for coming out that night and mentioned that this was his fourth time performing in Melbourne. He shared that they had just come from Sydney, where the weather was too hot and humid, but he expressed how perfect Melbourne weather was today. He wrapped up his set with ‘I MISS YOU’, ‘UZUZ’ ‘투’, and his favorite song to perform ‘PUBERTY’.

Finally, the most highly anticipated act of the night took the stage: DPR IAN. Ian is no stranger to Australia, hailing from Sydney, Ian was especially excited to perform in his home country again. He opened his set with an AI-generated voice of a woman greeting the crowd with a cryptic invitation to “the other side.” The audience erupted in excitement as the lasers flashed and Ian’s voice rang out with his deep Aussie accent, “insane”, the energy in the room was electric.

He started off with ‘WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE’, a song that perfectly set the scene for the rest of the night. He was accompanied by a team of exceptionally talented dancers throughout the night. They played a crucial role in shaping the visual experience, adding depth and meaning to each of his songs.

‘DON’T GO INSANE’, one of Ian’s most viral tracks that sparked its own TikTok trend was up next, and as you can imagine, the crowd literally went insane when the opening line was sung. This performance was one of my personal favourites—the staging was perfect. The smoke, the dancers, and the light show meshed seamlessly, creating an unforgettable, visually captivating experience. To top it off, seeing Ian hit the viral dance break midway through the song live in person was unreal.

Ian performed ‘SO I DANCED’ and ‘BAD COLD’ alongside a special guest, The Green—a mysterious figure dressed in a full green-screen suit, complete with a Stetson hat and green fur jacket. For those familiar with the lore, The Green is none other than Mr. Insanity’s partner in crime.

Ian took a moment to reminisce about his time growing up in Australia, sharing a funny anecdote about how, as a kid, he thought Melbourne had nothing to offer and that Sydney was superior —a classic rivalry between the two states. However, after some exploring before the show, he confessed he’d fallen in love with Melbourne’s art, food, and, of course, its people. He also shared a personal memory of his grandma making him lunch packed with traditional Korean food, which meant he never got to eat canteen food. Instead, his friends would trade him their classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for his homemade meals. This served as the perfect segue into his next track, ‘PEANUT BUTTER AND TEARS’.

The next set of tracks—’SO BEAUTIFUL’, ‘MOOD’, and ‘DOPE LOVERS’—were DPR Ian classics, the entire hall erupted in unison, singing along to every word. Ian engaged with the crowd by reading out signs that DREAMers were holding up from the standing section, creating a fun, interactive moment. He then encouraged everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to anyone celebrating their birthday that night, humorously adding three extra “Hip Hip Hoorays.” He laughed as the crowd enthusiastically followed along. Next, he shouted the cliché “Aussie Aussie Aussie!” chant and teased the crowd by joking about singing the national anthem next. To his surprise, fans didn’t hesitate and proudly sang the entire anthem, leaving him impressed and amused.

Ian then opened up about his roots in Wollongong, sharing how his deep love for music began with a close friend, who just so happened to be in the crowd that night, introducing him to metal music, sparking his musical journey. He spoke candidly about the challenges of being different and his struggles with mental health, a theme that resonates deeply within his music. Mito, Ian’s alter, took over to speak on the topic, adding an emotional layer to the night’s experience.

Next, Ian performed ‘SCAREDY CAT’, ‘CALICO’, and ‘AVALONE’, before surprising the DREAMers with an unreleased track titled ‘I AM NOBODY’. He revealed that the song would be featured on his upcoming album ‘IAN’ which will be released at the end of his tour, giving fans a sneak peek of what’s to come. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, knowing they were among the first to hear the new music live.

Ian wrapped up the show with ‘NERVES’ and ‘BALLROOM EXTRAVAGANZA’, two of my favorite songs. The line “Hi, how you doing?” from Nevers kept replaying in my head all the way home. There’s something incredibly surreal about hearing your favorite songs performed live by an artist you truly admire. It’s a feeling that stays with you long after the show ends. Ian brought out DPR ARTIC and DPR CREAM to perform a remix of their collaboration track, ‘DO OR DIE’, the remix brought a fresh energy to the song. While singing the closing song, they interacted with the crowd and even signed some items for lucky fans close to the barricade.

Watching DPR perform live was an absolutely surreal experience! It’s incredible to see how far the boys have come, especially Ian—our very own Aussie shining on the big stage. We can’t wait to welcome them back on their next visit. Until then, stay tuned for new album releases coming in the new year!

Huge thank you to Live Nation Australia for this opportunity!