Source: NCT Dream Instagram
It’s the 30th of October, and excitement buzzes outside Rotterdam Ahoy. By 6:30 PM, fans are flooding in, dressed in neon green accents or full outfits, ready to witness NCT Dream live for the very first time in the Netherlands. This isn’t just any night, it’s NCT Dream’s debut in Holland, and the energy is contagious. Alongside the younger fans, a surprising number of dads came to experience the concert, some standing back while their kids danced, but visibly enjoying the vibrant energy. It’s a clear reminder that NCT Dream’s charm can win over anyone, regardless of age!
The concert starts with a bang. As the curtain drops, the boys appear in leather outfits with red accents and silver buttons, perfectly styled for the opening track, icantfeelanything. The entire crowd erupts, cheering as the bass drops and the boys deliver an electrifying performance.
Moving into fan favourites like Box and SOS, NCT Dream pulls the crowd deeper into their performance. Before Poison, the boys pause to introduce themselves, charming the crowd with practiced Dutch phrases like “Hoi, ik ben Jisung.” The fans cheer even louder when they say it’s their first time in the Netherlands and that they’re loving every moment. This warmth sets the tone, with NCT Dream waving and exchanging small interactions and smiles with the crowd, making every fan feel noticed.
The boys continue with Drippin but disappear backstage just before Arcade. When they return, they’re dripped out in school inspired outfits with ties and varsity jackets that perfectly match the vibe. The crowd sings along to We Go Up, with everyone jumping and dancing; it’s a high-energy, unforgettable moment. After the song, Mark pauses to ask fans which concept suits NCT Dream best: “cute, sexy, or cool.” When he says “sexy,” the audience cheers loudly, leaving no doubt about the choice, He then invites everyone to sing along for the next song, Walk with You, and the crowd’s voices echo through the hall as they sing along loudly with the boys.
Source: NCT Dream Instagram After this high energy performance, the group takes a breather backstage, returning in colourful, playful outfits for Breathing. The vibe turns nostalgic as they perform Candy, an NCT Dream classic, even if you don’t know NCT Dream, you know Candy. After Candy, Jaemin jokingly slowly unzips his jacket, and as the cameraman zooms in everyone got to see it on the big screen and the yelling was louder than ever! I’m pretty sure these were heard outside of the venue; it was that loud! Between laughs and cheers, the boys change into white jackets covered in silver and gold glitter accents, ramping up the energy even further with Fireflies. The whole venue pulses to the beat as both fans and members jump together, making it one of the night’s most unforgettable moments.
In every talk segment, the members share adorable interactions with fans, making hearts with their hands and waving. After Broken Melodies, they take another break, returning in camo themed outfits perfect for Skateboard. As the boys went backstage for their final outfit change, the big screen turn on showing the cute and funny banners everyone was raising up until the boys returned. They reappear in elegant white attire, setting the tone for Rain from Heaven.
A particularly heartfelt highlight of the night comes with All Night Long, dedicated to Renjun’s return to the stage after a hiatus. Fans hold up yellow tulips handed out before the concert with tiny lights inside to honour his comeback. Renjun is visibly moved, gathering the tulips thrown onto the stage and holding a small bouquet as he walks around, waving at fans. After the song, Renjun thanks the fans for their thoughtfulness and shares how motivated he feels to keep creating. The rest of the members echo this gratitude, with Jaemin saying how touched they all are and how happy they are to be back together.
A fan photo moment follows, with the boys striking poses with the crowd for a group shot. Chenle expresses his happiness that Renjun is back, while Haechan shares that he is glad everyone stayed safe during the show, something he talked about at the start of the show as well. They mention how much they’re looking forward to coming back to the Netherlands in a bigger venue and encourage fans to watch out for their new album, coming out on November 11th. As they say farewell, a few members say heartfelt goodbyes in Dutch: Jisung with “Ik houd van jullie,” and Jaemin with “Ik was heel blij en ik houd van jullie.” Mark wraps it up with his own “Ik houd van jullie.”
Closing with Like We Just Met, the boys lock hands with eachother bow one more time ,wave and blow kisses to fans as they leave the stage, leaving many in the audience emotional. Fans hug each other, some in tears, as they share the bittersweet end of a night they won’t soon forget. “See you next time!” they call out, leaving a promise that this first night in Rotterdam won’t be the last.
Thank you NCT Dream and Greenhouse for having us.
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