Ranking the best and worst of 2024’s K-Pop concerts - one lightstick at a time!

K-Pop concerts aren’t just gigs — they’re spectacles. From jaw-dropping choreography to confetti showers, heartfelt moments and the occasional chaotic fan chant, every show has its own flavour. But let’s be honest, not every concert hits the same. Some are life-changing, others are “good but not great,” and a few… well, let’s just say you had to be there.

That’s why we’ve put together this K-Pop Concert Tier List. Using a mix of core criteria (performance, production, vibes) and bonus points (surprise b-sides and actually decent merch), each concert gets a score that lands it in a tier. Think of it as a fun way to celebrate the highs, acknowledge the misses and keep track of which groups really delivered in 2024.

The scoring is simple: 5 main categories worth up to 1 point each, plus 2 bonus categories for that extra sparkle and to support smaller artists (keeping it fair). Totals decide the tier - from S Tier legends to D Tier disappointments.

Of course, this is all based on our experiences - and every fan’s concert journey is different! Did you agree with our rankings? Did your bias group’s show feel like an S Tier moment (or maybe lower than we scored)? We’d love to hear your thoughts, hot takes and stories in the comments.

So grab your lightstick, relive the best stages and let’s rank some concerts.

 

Tier List explained

Main Categories (1 point each – total of 5 points):

·      Performance Quality
Live vocals, choreography, energy and skill.

·      Fan Service
Crowd interaction, sincerity, talking segments and spontaneous moments.

·      Venue & Production
Staging, lighting, VCRs, sound quality, accessibility and atmosphere.

·      Cost & Packages
Fair ticketing and VIP/soundcheck value.

·      Experience & Atmosphere
Overall vibes, emotional impact, crowd energy and pacing.

Bonus Categories (1 point each – total of extra 2 points):

·      Setlist Quality
Song variety, b-sides vs. title tracks, flow, surprise stages and encores.

·      Merchandise
Availability, variety and exclusives.

 

Let’s Go! (Best to Worst)

S Tier (6+)

🔥 Legendary – Practically flawless. Concert of the year material.

Review:
XG proved themselves as a group to watch. The concert was visually strong, with creative use of screens and crowd cams. Choreography and vocals were clean, and the talking moments added personality. Tickets were fairly priced, the show was dynamic and cool leaving fans buzzing.

A Tier (5 - 5.9)

✨ Excellent – Memorable show with strong consistency.

Review:
The Rose proved why they’re one of the best live K-bands in the scene. Stunning live vocals, flawless instrumentals, and the bonus of surprise guest performers gave the show a unique charm. The fan interactions were genuinely funny and warm, adding a personal touch to an already polished performance. Venue setup and production ran smoothly, making it a stress-free experience from start to finish. Tickets were fairly priced (with VIP extras available), and while some fans were a little more reserved, the overall atmosphere was heartfelt and uplifting. A well-crafted setlist with some truly unforgettable numbers sealed the deal — with merch options covering the basics, including their signature lightsticks. 

Review:
A well-rounded show with high-energy dancing and great vocal execution. Itzy created a vibrant, feel-good experience with effective use of fan cams, reflections and thanks. The crowd loved every second and solo performances added variety to the setlist. While merch options were overpriced and unremarkable, the vibe of the night made it worthwhile. Slight deductions for VIP/package limitations, but a truly memorable concert.

 

Review:
IVE delivered polished charm and crowd-winning grace at the O2. Confetti moments, solos and a clever setlist cemented it as one of the stronger A-tier shows. Slightly pricier and merch déjà vu, but the group themselves were radiant.

 

B Tier (4 – 4.9)

👍 Good – Enjoyable overall, with a few weaker spots.

Review:

BDU charmed with Q&As, games and a wholesome fan-first energy. Venue dragged the score down, but cheap tickets, live vocals and surprisingly great merch balance it all out. A hidden gem.

 

Review:

The boys brought the heat - but the venue brought chaos. Rude staff, oversold sections, pricey tickets and a limited setlist due to headlining and time limits all pulled it down. The crowd hype saved it from slipping further.

 

Review:

ACE’s concert had fantastic crowd energy, passionate vocals and a setlist that balanced fan favourites with new material. Fans were engaged and vibing with the group throughout. Unfortunately, a poor venue experience - especially with mishandling of photo op logistics - took away from the polish. The merch situation was weak too. Still, the performance itself was heartfelt and enjoyable.

 

Review:
B.I lit up Wembley with the kind of stage presence that makes even the back rows feel involved — once he literally invited them down to the floor, that is! Performance quality was top-notch, with tight vocals, slick dancers (who, let’s face it, could headline their own fan club), and plenty of energy to keep the crowd buzzing. Interaction felt genuine, with one fan even getting a dream chance to perform on stage. Production suffered the “no screens”, but B.I’s fix turned it into a party. Ticketing was fair, VIP options were solid, and while the merch selection was slim, it didn’t stop the night from being a standout.

C Tier (3 - 3.9)

😐 Okay – Mixed bag. Some solid moments but didn’t fully hit.

Review:
MCND brought live vocals, strong energy, and fan interaction - but something about the overall atmosphere just didn’t land. It felt more like a "first tour" effort, where the potential was there but not fully realised. Reasonable pricing and a well-planned setlist helped, but production and engagement didn’t reach the highs of more seasoned acts.

 

Review:
P1Harmony had the vibe and the setlist - solos and b-sides made it feel like a love letter to fans. But the venue was a bust and merch a mystery. They carried it on energy alone, but it wasn’t flawless.

Review:
Daytime felt like a sad warehouse expo, night-time finally delivered concert vibes. Performances varied wildly by group - JO1 stood out. Expensive, pushy fans, weak merch, but the setlist variety saved it.

D Tier (Below 3.5)

😬 Disappointing – Missed the mark. Lacked impact.

Review:
Three DPR artists, one stage — but let’s be honest, this was the DPR Ian show. While Cream and Artic held their ground, the crowd stayed quiet until Ian stepped up, flipping the energy completely with his charisma and solid crowd work. The venue (OVO Wembley) should’ve been a win, but the lack of screens killed the experience for anyone not on the floor. VIP packages were fair, and merch was decent enough, but overall the production felt bare-bones for an arena gig. A night with some highs (Ian’s set) and plenty of “could’ve been better” moments.

 

That wraps up our 2024 edition of the K-Pop Concert Tier List! From flawless legends to “needs work” nights, this year was packed with unforgettable stages and a few unexpected twists. But don’t worry - the journey doesn’t stop here.

2025 is already shaping up to be huge. More tours, bigger venues, crazier fan service, and yes… more chances for artists to either climb to S Tier glory or slip down the ranks.

Until then - what do you think? Did we score these fairly, or would you bump your fave up (or down) a tier? Drop your own rankings, fan stories, or even your dream setlists in the comments. Let’s make this tier list a fan-powered conversation! 💬✨

 

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