DPR LIVE + DPR IAN’s Electrifying Lollapalooza Set
DPR LIVE + DPR IAN’s joint set at Lollapalooza felt like a pre-cursor to a major breakthrough coming for both artists.
DPR IAN backstage at Lollapalooza. DPR IAN INSTAGRAM
“You guys fucking with this Korean shit?” DPR LIVE asked near the end of his stellar joint set with DPR IAN at Lollapalooza on Sunday. “I vibe with it.”
Dream Perfect Regime, also known as DPR, is a South Korean music collective that has produced two rising superstars, DPR LIVE and DPR IAN, since their debut in 2015. Last year, they sold out a North American tour and their fanbase is one of the fastest growing in pop music. The collective’s goal is to write, produce, edit, and curate all types of visual work. Lately that work has been exploding. Indeed, as LIVE suggested, many of the fans who came to watch DPR LIVE + DPR IAN’s joint performance are fucking with the Korean shit.
DPR’s fans cover a breadth of backgrounds, from K-Pop stans to genuine lovers of hip-hop and alternative music. At Lollapalooza, a large number of K-Pop fans still clad in their TXT and JewJeans merch came to check out the crew. But so did the diehards who knew the lyrics to every song performed, as well as new, curious fans. DPR’s ease moving between these different musical circles, and appealing to a wide range of folks, has made them major players in the industry. Perhaps the most crucial co-sign DPR have is 88Rising, a label that is creating a culture around music by Asian artists. DPR have worked with 88Rising for several projects, including the Head in the Clouds festival and collaborations like “Diamonds + and Pearls”, and in doing so, DPR has largely shaped the sound of hip-hop and alternative music made by Asian artists. Their work, form DPR LIVE’s brilliant “IITE COOL” to DPR IAN’s smash “Moodswings In To Order” is some of the most exciting projects made by rising artists.
LIVE excels in his ability to write from personal experience, all of which resonates with his fanbase. “Everything I wrote about was very honest. Hence the name ‘Live’. I just really want to be transparent with my music,” DPR LIVE told NME in 2021. “Sometimes as an artist you want to go really deep.”
LIVE’s sincerity is what makes him such a great match for IAN. Beyond how well the friends play to each other’s artistic strengths, they are beloved by fans for their openness about mental health and their work to create a space for Asian artists who don’t fit the mold.
“I'm an Asian artist, and I'm trying to break into the scene with something that doesn't sound anything like [K-pop], but it's that association people will see,” IAN told GQ. “With independent artists that want to create their own lanes, it's more of a challenge of ‘Okay, how do I let people know that there are much cooler things that we can do other than K-pop?’”
Fans looking for Asian artists making visionary work, could find a hell of an experience at DPR’s set. On the Bacardi stage, LIVE and IAN gave a quick taste of just how incendiary – and different – their shows are. LIVE’s set was accompanied by a DJ and buoyed by the singer’s appealing charm as he ran through some of his best material including “Jasmine” and “Martini Blue”. A high point was the funky “Hula Hoops”, which seamlessly transitions between hip-hop and soul music.
Throughout each song, LIVE worked hard to hype the crowd and to engage with fans, both on the side of the stage and in the audience. When he coaxed the crowd into barking, he smiled slyly and held up his hand for silence. “Good puppy,” he said and laughed. (This moment was all over social media the next day proving that LIVE knew exactly what he was doing).
After LIVE’s 15 minute solo set, he switched to “Boom” his 2021 collaboration with IAN, who joined LIVE on stage for his verse. “Boom” is one of LIVE’s most dynamic songs; a wild ride that suddenly slows down halfway through only to explode again in a kaleidescope of colors by the end. Together, the guys sounded electric.
IAN’s set began unofficially after this, starting with his hit “No Blueberries”, another collaboration with LIVE. Joined by a live band and dressed in a white jacket with lace black gloves, IAN felt like a very different pop star than his friend. Where LIVE is wiry and free-flowing as performer, IAN is introspective and intense. As LIVE exited the stage, IAN took over with “So Beautiful”, the second massive hit from his debut album “Moodswings In This Order”. Fan favorites “Calico” and “Dope Lovers”, each getting an insane amount of love from the crowd, were also included.
As IAN’s musical ambitions have grown, so, too, has his stage show. Even with a bare bones set and a short performance time, IAN made a lasting impression. He displayed an evolving confidence as a performer, even from over a year ago, as he convincingly embodied the emotions of each song. He even danced, proving that he is continuing to challenge himself.
Yet despite of how popular IAN has become in the past year, he still seemed shocked at the amount of support he’s received. When he spoke, typically very softly, he delivered a tender message for fans going through a tough time. “I don’t know if anyone needs to hear this, and you may already know this,” he said at one point near the end of his set. “But you matter.” This line resonated with the crowd, and cemented why IAN is so loved. He has always spoken from the heart.
As they closed out their short 45 minute set, I felt that IAN and LIVE are onto something major. Their short, but important performance hinted at how much potential the guys have, and made an impression for fans to see them on their next tour where they will be treated to a full show. LIVE seems to know bigger things are coming, too. “I know it was fast, guys. But me and Ian? We’re only getting started,” LIVE declared. “Next time we’re at Lolla, we’re headlining.”
