[REVIEW] ARTMS Brings Grand Club Icarus to London

ARTMS transformed O2 Forum Kentish Town into a magical, whimsical rave

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K-pop girl group ARTMS made their long-awaited return to London, bringing their Grand Club Icarus World Tour to O2 Forum Kentish Town. The group, consisting of KIM LIP, JINSOUL, HASEUL, HEEJIN and CHOERRY, were welcomed by their passionate fandom, OURII, ready to experience a night that blended high-energy club sounds with ARTMS’ signature whimsical charm. From the moment the lights went down, it felt less like a tour stop and more like a reunion, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

After a DJ set warmed up the crowd – a welcome touch after standing in the queue while it rained – ARTMS emerged to an immediate wave of cheers. Opening with ‘Goddess’ and flowing straight into ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, the group set the tone of the show perfectly. The synchronisation during ‘BURN’ stood out early on, showcasing their sharp choreography and effortless stage presence. From the start, ARTMS made a point to interact with the crowd, keeping the atmosphere intimate despite the packed venue.

Leaning into the Club Icarus concept, several songs were rearranged to fit the theme. Tracks like ‘Unf/Air’ felt refreshed, while their cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘The Dead Dance’ was a fun surprise that worked seamlessly within the overall setlist. The visuals throughout the night were equally impressive, from the stage lighting to the in-between videos that tied the performance together.

ARTMS in London. Photo: MODHAUS
ARTMS in London. Photo: MODHAUS

The solo stages were a highlight of the show, giving each member their moment. CHOERRY opened with ‘Pressure’, delivering a cute yet confident performance. HEEJIN followed with ‘Video Game’, balancing dreamy visuals with cool charisma. JINSOUL took the stage next with ‘Ring of Chaos’, offering a soulful and catchy performance, before HASEUL delivered one of my personal favourites, ODD EYE CIRCLE’s ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’, her vocals shining throughout. KIM LIP closed the solo section with ‘Can You Entertain?’, hyping the crowd with her infectious energy — and yes, Ms. Lip can definitely entertain you.

The group came back together with a performance of ‘Distress’, showcasing beautiful harmonies and striking visuals, followed by ‘Obsessed’, which quickly became one of the crowd favourites thanks to its powerful choreography. Another chat with the audience led into the unreleased track ‘In the Black’. Even though the crowd didn’t know the song, they vibed along as the members hyped each other — and the audience — making it a fun and memorable moment. We truly hope this track gets an official release soon.

The show took an emotional turn with ‘Butterfly Effect’, pairing whimsical choreography with a heartfelt punch. ARTMS are truly a group that bring a magical touch to the stage. ‘Birth’ took things up another level as one of the night’s biggest highlights and was clearly a favourite among OURII. The energy briefly shifted into rave territory with the ‘Icarus’ interlude, before ARTMS brought it back with a stunning performance of ‘Icarus’, reminding everyone of their versatility as a group.

Photo: MODHAUS
Photo: MODHAUS

Between songs, the group shared their interest in UK language and culture, drawing plenty of laughs by using the word “banging” — which perfectly matched the overall vibe of the night. A touching fan moment followed, with a group photo and a fan-made video celebrating ARTMS, OURII, and their pets, clearly moving the members.

The final stretch brought subtle rock influences with ‘Verified Beauty’, ‘Sparkle’, and ‘Virtual Angel’, the latter providing a nostalgic and fitting close to the night with flawless choreography. The encore wrapped things up with a celebratory mix from the setlist, leaving O2 Forum Kentish Town on a high.

By the time the encore came to an end, ARTMS had completely transformed O2 Forum Kentish Town into their own whimsical rave universe. The show balanced club energy with moments of softness and emotion, creating a night that felt both magical and deeply personal. Every chapter of the set proved ARTMS’ versatility, from powerful choreography to heartfelt interactions, leaving OURII feeling fully connected to the group. As the final notes faded, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert, but an immersive experience — one that lingered long after the lights came back on. ARTMS’ return to London was nothing short of enchanting, and if this night was anything to go by, we hope their magic returns to London very soon.

Highlights: Goddess, Burn, Obsessed, Butterfly Effect, Birth, Virtual Angel

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