Katseye Lights Up D.C. With High-Energy ‘Beautiful Chaos’ Tour Stop
KATSEYE performing at The Anthem (Washington, DC) Photo by Rahul Bhatt
Katseye brought their Beautiful Chaos tour to Washington, D.C. for its fifth stop, taking over The Anthem at The Wharf with a high-energy performance.
The girl group first emerged from Netflix’s 2024 docuseries Pop Star Academy, which followed 20 aspiring pop artists competing for a spot in what would become Katseye. The final lineup—Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae—has since skyrocketed in popularity. In the past year alone, the group earned 2 Grammy nominations, went viral with their Gap Jeans campaign, and delivered a breakout performance at Lollapalooza in front of 85,000 fans. Their hits “Gnarly” and “Touch” have dominated TikTok and helped solidify their growing global fanbase.
From the moment I entered the venue, it was clear the crowd’s energy would match the group’s momentum. Fans waved glow sticks, practiced choreography, and buzzed with anticipation well before showtime. Katseye opened with their track “Debut,” immediately igniting the room as the crowd erupted. Wearing sleek black latex outfits paired with black fur biker jackets, the members carried a fierce, confident aura. Their synchronization and stage chemistry were especially impressive.
KATSEYE performing at The Anthem (Washington, DC) Photo by Rahul Bhatt
The production value of the show was notably high. A massive LED screen, roaming cameras capturing every angle of their choreography, and LED lights wrapping the entire stage, complemented by backup dancers, multiple outfit changes, and confetti delivered a kind of polished, visually driven K-pop style production.
One of the standout moments came with “Gnarly.” Even as someone who has only loosely followed the group online, the live rendition electrified the audience. Fans jumped in unison, mirroring the choreography, turning the venue into a pulsating wave of motion.
As polished as the show was, it wasn’t without its shortcomings. If I had to offer critiques of the show, the first would be its length. Running from 8:00 p.m. to approximately 9:10 p.m. with no opener, the concert felt noticeably short—though this is understandable given Katseye’s current catalog of only two EPs, which naturally limits the range of their setlist. I also had reservations about their new unreleased song “Internet Girl”. The repeated lyric “eat zucchini” in the opening verse had me puzzled and lent the track a somewhat childish, Kidz Bop tone that aligned with the predominantly young audience in attendance. Katseye is clearly still honing their artistic identity and musical direction, which is normal for a new group, but it was noticeable throughout certain parts of the performance.
The night concluded with their hit “Touch,” followed by one of the loudest encores I’ve heard, closing with the slower, emotional track “My Way.”
Overall, Katseye delivered a captivating performance that showcased exactly why their popularity has surged: catchy pop tracks, engaging choreography, charismatic stage presence, and a dynamic, culturally diverse lineup. It will be exciting to see how the group continues to evolve and expand their influence within the international pop landscape.
KATSEYE performing at The Anthem (Washington, DC) Photo by Rahul Bhatt