JUNE brings "Day N Night" Vibes to LA for JUNEtober Tour
Words + Photos by Emma Vurdien
October 11, 2023
In September, the talented Korean R&B singer-songwriter JUNE unveiled his plans for a mini-tour across five cities in the United States. To provide some background, JUNE debuted as a soloist in 2018 with the release of "Sérénade," a single album known for its soulful and groovy vibes, which have since become emblematic of his musical style. Prior to his solo debut, he contributed to the writing and composition of several songs for the K-pop supergroup BTS, with notable tracks "Awake," "Lost," and "Not Today." JUNE's most recent mini-album, "Luv Sign," comprises five songs, all of which he personally wrote and composed, delving into the intricate and delightful emotions tied to falling in love.
On the tour's third night, JUNE created an intimate and inviting atmosphere for his fans at El Rey Theatre in LA, offering the audience a night filled with relaxed vibes and comforting melodies. To kick things off, JUNE dedicated time to connect with his fans, signing posters and taking selfies during a special VIP fan-sign session that preceded the show.
The evening's opening performance featured Team B.U.K, a K-pop dance cover group rooted in Los Angeles. This impressive dance group, originating in Glendale, showcased their skills with energetic covers of Tomorrow X Together’s "New Rules," NCT DOJAEJUNG's "Perfume," and Enhypen's "Go Big or Go Home."
Team B.U.K returns to the stage as backup dancers for JUNE, who launched the show with his song "Now" from his second album, "Ending," delivering a sultry and jazzy ambiance. After the performance, JUNE graciously handed his microphone to the dancers, allowing them to express their gratitude to their family and friends who attended the show. To the crowd's delight, the dancers shared that their fellow member, Luciano, had choreographed the entire performance for the opening act.
Following that, JUNE graced the audience with his song "Anywhere," another track from his second album. After the performance, JUNE shared that it had been four years since his last visit to LA, expressing his genuine happiness and gratitude for returning. He then transitioned into a more intimate atmosphere with songs like "The Moment" and "Autumn Leaves," opting to sit down while singing. JUNE encouraged the audience to sway to the rhythm, particularly during "Autumn Leaves."
Throughout the evening, the R&B soloist delighted the audience by revealing his humorous side in between songs, engaging in quick talking sessions, and teasingly suggesting to fans that their reactions weren't good enough, playfully encouraging them to make more noise, which resulted in laughs from the crowd.
JUNE introduced another heartfelt song titled "For," a sentimental track from his studio album "Today’s." He shared that this song was a simple "thank you" to all the people in his life who had shown him love. JUNE further explained that the lyrics were in English, hoping that the fans would enjoy and understand them. Midway through the song, JUNE expressed his gratitude to his fans once again, and after the performance, he wholeheartedly conveyed the significance of the song, emphasizing that it was specifically crafted for his family, friends, and fans. He acknowledged that without these people in his life, the song wouldn't exist.
JUNE then surprised his fans with a performance of his debut song, "Sérénade." To make the moment even more special, he shared an intriguing detail about the song, disclosing that the music video had been filmed in Los Angeles. He emphasized his genuine desire for the fans to connect with the song, underlining the added significance of performing it in LA, where it all began.
As the evening neared the end, JUNE assured the audience that the final songs would get them dancing and jumping. He requested a favor from the audience, who eagerly agreed. JUNE asked everyone to gather in the center of the room, and the crowd promptly followed his instructions. What followed was the electrifying intro of "Got U," an evident crowd favorite. JUNE guided the audience to sing along with the catchy lines "I got you," and to his delight, the audience nailed it. He grooved along on stage, letting the audience take the lead in singing their part.
JUNE didn't forget to treat the audience to his latest single, "Day N Night," released just a week prior. What was striking was that the audience seemed to know every word, singing along passionately as JUNE danced happily on stage. Following this energetic performance, JUNE quickly disappeared backstage, prompting the audience to loudly cheer for an encore. Without much delay, JUNE reemerged from behind the curtains, ready to deliver his biggest hit, "Beautiful," clearly saving one of the best for last.
As the night concluded, JUNE invited the audience to join him for a group photo. Following this, the hi touch and polaroid photo session began, and fans joyfully interacted with him, taking photos together. After a night spent with JUNE in LA, experiencing his performances and detailed insights, it is evident that he is a genuine artist who pours considerable thought into his craft and cares deeply for anyone who encounters his work. He is unquestionably an artist that fans and music enthusiasts will wholeheartedly appreciate.
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Photos taken by Emma Vurdien (@emmafayev)