In the midst of a scorching Chicago summer, ATEEZ still found a way to up the heat.

On July 26, the eight-member K-Pop phenomenon brought their ATEEZ 2025 WORLD TOUR [IN YOUR FANTASY] to the one-and-only Wrigley Field. This iconic ballpark has hosted thousands of events, including but certainly not limited to Stray Kids <dominATE> World Tour exactly one month prior on June 26.

No matter the venue, If you ask me, where you sit shouldn’t make or break your experience. Sat in section 12, I had a far but direct view of the stage, which was primo in several ways. While I was far away, I could still see the members to some extent without the necessity of the giant screens that flanked the stage. The main downside to someone sitting in my section, unfortunately, was the protective netting that surrounds it. This absolutely makes sense for a baseball field, but it unfortunately offers a somewhat obstructed view for what are otherwise some of the best seats in the house. That being said, if only to come back with better photos, I’ll definitely look into balcony or floor seats for my next visit to Wrigley Field.

ATEEZ released their most recent album Golden Hour: Part 3: In Your Fantasy Edition, a repackage of the EP they released on June 13, on July 11. This very tour kicked off in Tacoma, WA less than a month later on July 30. I’ve long suspected that ATEEZ doesn’t sleep, and that impression was not helped by this tight release schedule. However, there was nothing sleepy about this concert. Their hard work and passion was, as always, nothing short of incredible. While there was a vocal backing track present during the songs, it felt more like an enhancement than a crutch. Their microphones were still obviously on, and some of the most satisfying moments came whenever a member would pull the mic away just so show off that fact.

They opened their set with back-to-back bangers, kicking things off with “BOUNCY (K-Hot Chili Peppers)” and “Fireworks (I’m the One)”. The crowd was already buzzing when ATEEZ music videos started playing on the screens ahead of the concert, but Wrigley Field all but exploded when the members finally emerged with their electric stage presence and infectious energy. Even so, nothing could’ve prepared fans for the live show that was to come.

If ATINY’s fantasy is one of the most suggestive stadium shows I’ve ever witnessed, this fandom got it in spades. Each of the group’s eight members had a solo performance, and many of them pulsed with barely-contained sexuality. Seonghwa ended his performance of “Skin” wearing scraps of fabric masquerading as a cropped halter top, the hands of backup dancers curled around his throat and an expression of post-coital bliss. Mingi’s “ROAR” blasted “presumptuous critics and self-righteous moralists” with a combination of unmasked aggression and dominance, leading the crowd in barks more than once. The suggestive choreography of San’s “Creep” and the subtly seductive “Slide to Me” by Yunho weren’t nearly as aggressive, but every bit as enticing.

This is to say nothing of the group performances, which also had many fans locked in a display of sexual dominance. Sat at a long table covered by a red tablecloth, “Man On Fire” established the power dynamic early on. Every expression and movement, whether it was San dragging his fingers over the table’s surface or Seonghwa slowly pulling his thumb across his bottom lip, painted a picture of “unstoppable desire”. Even when they were thrown in cages for “Outlaw”, every one of their expressions exuded danger. The imagery didn’t code them as prisoners so much as feral animals, and god help everyone when they were unleashed.

However, not every moment of the show was tailor-made to turn you on. Hongjoong turned the stadium into a rave for “NO.1”, complete with a live DJ set leading in and proving there really isn’t anything he can’t do. Jongho’s performance of “To Be Your Light” was nothing less than a showcase of his stunning vocal prowess, technique and passion. Fan-favorite ballad “Turbulence” gave ATINY a chance to breathe with its slower tempo and heartfelt lyrics about making it through life’s difficulties.

Most of the setlist was made up of songs from the new album, which released just over two weeks before the concert, which isn’t a lot of time to get to know the material no matter how excellent. Luckily, there were still better-known tracks in the mix. Yeosang’s enigmatic solo led directly into “Guerrilla” with a flare held high above his head. If there’s anything ATEEZ can count on ATINY for, it’s their readiness when it comes time to “break the wall”. Later in the set, “WORK” and “Ice on My Teeth” were performed back-to-back with unmatched swagger and style. Naturally, the main set ended with the title track from their most recent album: “In Your Fantasy”.

I’m going to say it: “In Your Fantasy” is the hottest K-Pop track to come out since VIXX released “Chained Up” back in 2015. Less than one month prior, ATEEZ released “Lemon Drop”, and the two back-to-back singles feel intentionally diametrically opposed. “Lemon Drop” is a club-ready summer jam that got ATINY sweating. Meanwhile, “In Your Fantasy” takes fans somewhere much more salacious. The track, which is entirely in English, lets you know what it is from the first words that come from Yunho’s mouth: “I know what you into/baby got a type.” But the lyrics immediately heat up from there: “I could be gentle/but that ain’t what you like”.

The wordplay on this track is just top tier, from the way Hongjoong utilizes the homonym “rush” on the second verse to Mingi wrapping things up by rhyming “lose it for ” with “Lucifer”. Speaking of Mingi, his rap delivery on this track is nothing short of malevolent. It’s wicked how he spits lines like “Good girl, now you’re not so sure” and “Oh honey, I ain’t your savior”.

Both “Lemon Drop” and “In Your Fantasy” spent a week on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 69 and 68 respectively, and that didn’t go unacknowledged. Right at the end of the show, Hongjoong thanked the entire crowd for helping with that achievement. The only thing that may be more impressive than ATEEZ’s stage craft, coordination and sheer talent is the love and appreciation they have for their fans. Especially coming from a smaller company like KQ Entertainment, they’ve come a long way from when Hongjoong was recording guide tracks in a car.

As if all that wasn’t enough to keep ATINY satisfied, they performed not one but two encores. The first began with a medley of “Say My Name/THANXX/TO THE BEAT/Good Lil Boy/Crazy Form”, keeping up the momentum set by the main set. After a heartfelt performance of “Now this house ain’t a home” and “Enough”, ATEEZ sent fans home on a high note with “The Real”.

One last blast of confetti and a fireworks display later, Jongho bid us good night with a statement that amounted to: “Okay, for real this time, go home”.

I’ve always said the best argument for being a fan of ATEEZ, if not a full-blown ATINY, is their live show. At Wrigley Field, they continued to prove me right with their hottest concert yet.

If you’d like to catch ATEEZ on tour, remaining dates and tickets can be found here.

All photos were taken by Penny Rae Hawkins and edited by Jonathan Knoell.