K-pop band Blackpink turn Wembley into their stage
London’s iconic Wembley Stadium turned pink on Saturday night as global K-pop sensation Blackpink made history, becoming the first K-pop girl group ever to headline the legendary venue – a milestone that cements their status as the biggest girl band in the world.
In a dazzling, two-and-a-half-hour spectacle bursting with pyrotechnics, laser lights, and jaw-dropping choreography, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa delivered a performance that fans will be talking about for years. The sold-out crowd of 70,000 waved glowing lightsticks in perfect sync, transforming the stadium into a sea of shimmering pink.
“It’s an epic dream,” said Jennie, visibly emotional. “And it still feels a little unreal.”
Lisa added, “What an honour to be here. We’re in awe of all of you for showing up and making this possible.”
Rosé summed it up: “The last time we were in London was insane – but this? This is on a whole other level.”
The concert marked the first of two historic nights at Wembley, wrapping up the European leg of their Deadline world tour – a 31-date juggernaut spanning 16 cities. The tour kicked off in Seoul last month with the release of their explosive new single, “Jump”, which shattered records by racking up 26 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours.
Industry experts predict the Deadline tour will break Blackpink’s own record as the highest-grossing tour by a female group, a title they previously claimed from the Spice Girls during their 2022–2023 Born Pink world tour.
A legacy in motion
Blackpink now join an elite list of artists to headline Wembley, standing alongside legends like Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Oasis, and fellow K-pop pioneers BTS, who performed there in 2019.
The show opened with a powerhouse trio, Kill This Love, How You Like That, and Pink Venom, immediately igniting the crowd. The stage, complete with a rotating catwalk and a massive split video wall, allowed each member to shine during solo segments that highlighted their distinct personas.
Lisa, the group’s fiery powerhouse, brought rockstar energy and cheeky winks to her solo set, including her viral hit Rockstar.
Rosé, the golden-voiced songbird, delivered a heart-stopping acoustic rendition of APT, her global collaboration with Bruno Mars, while New Zealand-born charm won over the UK crowd.
Jennie oozed cool-girl charisma in leather and shades, owning the stage with her self-titled club banger Like Jennie, which had fans screaming every word.
Jisoo, the group’s elegant anchor, stunned with flawless vocals and a rare but radiant stage presence, earning the biggest roar during her solo ballad.
In a whimsical surprise, British alt-pop icon FKA Twigs made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in a pre-solo video clip, casually sipping tea and nibbling a scone backstage, prompting wild speculation and endless memes.
Sisterhood, sparks, and spontaneity
While the choreography was razor-sharp, it was the moments of pure spontaneity that truly captured the band’s magic. During Don’t Know What To Do, Lisa and Rosé playfully bumped into each other on the catwalk and collapsed into giggles. Later, as Rosé struggled to tie a loose shoelace, the group broke into impromptu banter, laughing with the audience like old friends.
The encore brought a reprise of Jump, where the girls ditched their choreography and head banged wildly channelling a Wayne’s World vibe that had fans roaring with delight. When Rosé asked Jisoo how she thought the night went, the usually quiet member simply gave a thumbs-up.
“Two thumbs up? That’s huge!” the others cried, before pulling into a group hug – eight thumbs raised high in triumph.
More than a comeback, a new chapter
From early hits like Whistle and DDU-DU-DDU-DU to fan favourites like Lovesick Girls and Forever Young, the setlist was a love letter to their journey. Pretty Savage featured a stunning visual of the members floating in and out of gilded picture frames, ending at a golden ballet barre, a nod to their precision and artistry.
As the final notes of As If It’s Your Last echoed across the stadium, the message was clear: Blackpink aren’t just back, they’re bigger, bolder, and just getting started.
“All gas, no brakes,” they sing. And with Wembley conquered, the world feels like it’s theirs for the taking.