We can’t even calculate how long we’ve waited for this moment: a BTS live album! Even longer than we waited for our ot7 to return, which felt like eons. It finally happened, and not only do we love that a live album exists, we’re so happy it’s of this tour in particular!
BTS has dropped PERMISSION TO DANCE: ON STAGE – LIVE, and the 22 tracks are spread between the LA, Seoul, and Las Vegas PTD shows. PTD meant so much to ARMY at the time, and hindsight has only made us grow even fonder. Now knowing what their military plans had been as well as what they turned out to be, the era represents so much more. Even the name PERMISSION TO DANCE: ON STAGE feels more potent. And now, every ARMY who attended, watched the livestream, went to the cinema, or saw the movie on Disney+ gets to keep reliving this era forever.
Across the 22 songs from the PTD setlist, there are so many gems. Considering that’s not even 10% of their discography, the setlist (and therefore the album) does a great job of celebrating their various eras, versatility, and energy.
We could talk about this album all day (and you best believe we’re blowing up our group chats doing exactly that), but here are our favorite moments!
PERMISSION TO DANCE: ON STAGE – LIVE Highlights
The ‘ON’ Intro
Starting with the intro of the very first song might make it seem like this is about to be a very long list (lowkey it is), but stick with us. The theatrical nature of ‘ON’ means it’s truly destined for a grand stage like this, and PTD was the moment ARMY finally got to witness it IRL. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the iconic Taehyung paperclip video popped into our heads the second we pressed play.
‘Fire’ Remix
We have begged for the official version of this remix since we first saw performance clips way back in November 2021! Every ARMY is obsessed with it, and although this isn’t a studio version, it’s close enough! Besides, every remix release surely brings us one step closer to the trap version of ‘Dionysus,’ right?
‘Blue & Grey’
We all know how much this song means to Taehyung, and his acapella part towards the end of this track is maybe our favorite vocal moment on the whole album. Plus, it then gives us the stunning transition between ‘Blue & Grey’ and ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears.’ We lowkey wish they’d kept the extended transition in the live album, but we can see that BTS dance break so clearly in our minds, whether or not there’s music! It’s truly ingrained in our psyche.
‘Fake Love’
Speaking of transitions, ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’ into ‘Fake Love’ is totally gorgeous, too. This is another of our stand-out vocal moments, thanks to the VMin and JinKook harmonies!
‘Boy With Luv’
If this funk-influenced version of ‘Boy With Luv’ wasn’t enough to make it a live album highlight, then BTS’ energy certainly does. We are so so so happy they chose to use the audio from this performance in particular, thanks to Yoongi joking, “Jimin-ah, what are you so curious about?” to intro the song, before Jimin launches into the opening lyrics, “I’m curious about everything, how’s your day?” That clip was all over our feeds after the show, and we’re pretty sure the only people who found it funnier than we did are Yoongi and Jimin themselves.
‘Telepathy’
From one iconic Yoongi moment to another! This is another audio track where we’re so glad that BTS chose the specific performance that they did. In this one, just before his rap verse, Yoongi fell over. Aptly, his opening line is meant to be “Everything’s alright, right?” which the members didn’t miss a beat on teasing him about. Ever the perfect mix of comedian and idol, Yoongi jokingly responded, “No, it hurts, it hurts,” before swinging straight back into the original lyrics.
‘Idol’
If there’s one song on this live album that truly gets across the scale of a BTS concert, it’s this one! Honestly, even if you were a total newbie to BTS and the PERMISSION TO DANCE: ON STAGE era, you’d be able to tell this was a stadium gig. There’s just something about the energy (of BTS and of ARMY) that translates so well!
‘Spring Day’
You knew this one would be on here, right? TBH, BTS could literally press play on the CD of ‘Spring Day’ and not sing, and it would still move us to tears. That’s how much this song means to all of us, both artist and fandom!
‘Permission To Dance’
And, of course, we had to finish off our highlights with the finale song, and track that defined this whole era, ‘Permission To Dance!’ This song is so special, not just because it’s a total bop (which it is) but because of what it represents. And like we said earlier, this feeling has only become more potent with hindsight. Neither BTS nor ARMY needs permission from anyone to celebrate and revel in each others’ support!
What’s your favorite moment from PERMISSION TO DANCE: ON STAGE – LIVE? Which tour would you love to see BTS turn into a live album next? Let us know in the comments below, or tell us over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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