Photos and Review by Geoffrey Clowes – Korean indie-rock band The Rose brought an intimate yet cinematic feel to their Once Upon A WRLDtour stop in Miami on July 20, performing at The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater. Supporting their WRLD album, the band delivered a curated and emotionally textured set.
The night opened with a five-song acoustic set, which set the personal, exposed and thoughtful tone for the entire night. Seated side by side in front of a kabuki screen that showed slow-moving moons chasing each other, the four members played soulful and stripped-down versions of “Ticket to the Sky” and “Tomorrow.” When Woosung’s distinctive rasp called out the opening lyric “Do you hear me?” to their much-loved classic “She’s in the Rain,” the entire venue answered with an eruption of cheers and applause. During the acoustic opener, Hajoon traded sticks for skin, drumming with his bare hands — a choice that added a tactile, organic rhythm and emphasized the raw intimacy of the performance.
As the screen dropped, the stage transformed into a cozy living-room-like scene, complete with a bed and couch, underscoring the themes of healing and comfort that characterize their music. From there, the band moved into their full electric sound, with crowd pleasing sing-alongs like “Back to Me” and “Lifeline” bringing the entire venue to their feet. With peppy grooves that mask their emotional bite, tracks like “Tomorrow” and “Nauseous” sneak in surprisingly caustic lyrics, a tension that the band leaned into live, delivering the tracks with a bright energy that only sharpened the underlying emotional message.
Woosung’s voice, initially a bit rough, warmed up mid-set, finding full power on “Beautiful” and “Sorry.” The use of the background screen was notably effective, as each song featured tailored visuals that elevated the experience without distracting from the band’s performance.
The Rose have always been playful and engaged with their audience, and this concert was no different. From Dojoon playfully calling out “Miami” at every opportunity to the crowd shouting for Taegyeom to take off his sweater when he laughingly complained of the heat, the night was filled with moments of connection and warmth.
The Rose does not typically do encores, but the 23-song set, ending with “O,” felt complete. Throughout, The Rose struck a balance between classics and new songs. In Miami, The Rose delivered a show that was a carefully crafted story, told with sincerity and style. What fans saw that night was a band confident enough to slow down and simply connect.ng worldwide and building a dedicated fanbase known as Black Rose.
