Comprised of the incredibly talented MINJAE, JUNMIN, SUMIN, JINSIK, HYUNWOO, JUNGHOON, SEEUN, YUJUN, HUNTER and YECHAN, xikers’ recent rendezvous in London marked a pivotal moment in their trajectory as K-pop’s brightest stars. Their inaugural European tour kicked off with a bang, headlining Shepherd’s Bush Empire in a dazzling display of talent.
With each electrifying performance, xikers had our hearts racing as they brought the intensity of their “HOUSE OF TRICKY” EP series to life on stage. With a keen eye for fashion and an unmatched stage presence, each performance was a testament to their innate ability to captivate and innovate in equal measure.
Already boasting impressive sales figures, including over 100k in the debut week alone for their EP “HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing,” xikers have swiftly captured the hearts of fans (affectionately known as roadys) since their March 2023 debut, earning acclaim for their flawless synchronicity and stage mastery.
As they navigate a breakout year filled with shows, festival appearances, and chart-topping hits, xikers continue to push boundaries with their latest mini-album, Trial & Error, a testament to their unwavering dedication to artistic exploration within the “HOUSE OF TRICKY” series.
Amidst the whirlwind of their European tour, we caught up with xikers to delve into their experiences on the road, their meticulous approach to choreography and stagecraft, their passion for fashion, and their aspirations for global recognition as they embark on their epic journey.
Read the interview…
Hello xikers! What was your favourite moment when performing in London?
SEEUN: We’ve been to London before to perform at a show with other artists, but this tour was our first time performing at our very own show. It was honestly such a completely different and valuable experience. Being able to start the Europe tour in London gave us such a great kick start and we had so much fun.
The London concert was your first performance for the 2024 xikers WORLD TOUR TRICKY HOUSE: FIRST ENCOUNTER IN EUROPE. How do you hope to grow as performers and musicians by the end of this tour?
HYUNWOO: There’s a lot we hope to achieve through this tour, but the main one would have to be understanding ourselves as artists even better!
It is very clear that coordination and synchronisation are key elements in your performances. How does xikers approach choreography and stage presence to ensure a visually impactful show for the audience?
HUNTER: All ten of us genuinely enjoy being on stage, so that creates a harmony between us, which in turn naturally builds into the stage presence we have. Rather than focusing on only impressing the audience, we concentrate on enjoying the moment. I think the audience feels that too, and so they’re able to really enjoy it together with us. As for choreography, we practice hard to fine-tune every single detail, but each member contributes to the visual impact with a little bit of their own flavour added into the dance to make it more dynamic.
I also admired your stage outfits and the duality of your fashion style. What do you hope to portray through your fashion choices on-stage?
MINJAE: All things considered, xikers is a group that delivers music and performance that leans into concepts and narratives, so stage outfits are a vital part of our overall image. I’m also very interested in fashion, so I’d love for us to be able to take on new challenges and showcase more outfits that we have yet to try!
What are you learning about yourselves while on the road for your first tour?
SUMIN: I feel like I’ve discovered more about myself and my own unique colours. This extends into how I’ve learned about how to have fun and engage with our roadys on stage. I’ve also adopted the mindset of living each moment as if it were my last, and it’s really showed me how to enjoy life to the fullest.
You were also able to perform across the US as part of the First Encounter tour. What lessons did the group learn from the US tour, and how did you apply those lessons to ensure an even more successful European tour?
JUNMIN: We practiced a lot so that rather than thinking about every movement or note while on stage, when it came time to perform, it would come out naturally like breathing. This led to even better teamwork and our ability to really enjoy each and every moment on stage together.
What do you want fans around the world to feel and experience as they watch your live performance?
YECHAN: I’d love for our roadys and everyone seeing us for the first time when they watch our performance to see what a blast we’re having on stage. From seeing us having fun, I hope that they receive energy from us so that we can enjoy the performance all together.
Is there a particular xikers song that you look forward to performing the most on this tour? Why?
YUJUN: There’s a part in the show where we perform “Oh My Gosh”, “Koong”, and then “XIKEY”. It always gives me a chill of excitement when I perform those songs.
HUNTER : I looked forward to “Doorbell Ringing” a lot because it was our first time performing the full choreography in front of roadys, and I think the choreography really goes well with the song
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On this tour, you have been able to perform to large crowds at notable venues with only two mini albums released. Why do you think you have been able to connect with fans so quickly?
JINSIK: I believe that our energy and performances on stage have touched the hearts of our roadys! Moving forward, we will continue to work hard to showcase even better performances on bigger stages!
What have you been able to learn about yourselves during your first year as xikers?
JINSIK: I’ve learned a lot from myself. Firstly, I’ve improved a lot in terms of stage presence and skills. Additionally, observing the hobbies and things that other members are interested in has inspired me to think, “Ah, I’d like to do that myself!”. There have been many instances like this.
The “Tricky House” from the name of the tour is also connected to your mini album series, “HOUSE OF TRICKY.” If “HOUSE OF TRICKY” was a real building in the world, how would you decorate your room within the house?
JUNMIN: Inspired by a chessboard, I’d like to decorate the house with a clean and simple black and white interior.
Before you debuted as xikers, you were temporarily known as ‘KQ Fellaz 2.’ What do you recall about your thoughts and emotions during this period? Were you excited or nervous to officially debut?
HYUNWOO: Since it’s our official debut, I felt a greater sense of responsibility and pressure, which motivated me to practice even harder! Nevertheless, I was extremely excited and happy about it.
You are often described as a “monster rookie” group. What does this title mean to you and how do you want to exceed expectations with your future releases?
SEEUN: With many people showing love for our performances and looking forward to them, there’s always a sense of pressure. However, such support seems to be the biggest driving force for us. It always reminds us to work hard and improve. It’s like a modifier that makes us think we should always strive to do better. Moving forward, we want to showcase even more cool and diverse performances.
Your seniors are the globally loved group ATEEZ, and there are several charming clips online of your interactions with ATEEZ members. What tips and techniques have you managed to learn from ATEEZ as your seniors?
SUMIN: Our seniors, ATEEZ, always give us great advice, but above all, they’ve emphasised enjoying ourselves. They’ve said that it’s important because when we enjoy being on stage, the audience can tell, and they would enjoy it as well. We’ve taken that advice to heart, and we’ve worked hard to enjoy our performances alongside our roadys.
With your future releases, how do you plan to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come your way in the ever-evolving K-Pop landscape?
MINJAE: As an artist, I consider inspiration to be the most important thing, and I love trying new things. I want to passionately embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the future.
Lastly, what are some group goals xikers has set for 2024 and beyond?
YECHAN: I would really want to achieve first place on a music show and share the accomplishment with our roadys.
YUJUN: In 2024, I want to achieve first place on a music broadcast.