For Once For Twice: What Went Down in Boston?

KPOP heroes, TWICE, perform for the very first time in the city.

A sheer layer of clouds covers the sky as a chilly breeze blows through the maze of streets in Boston, Massachusetts. With it being early spring, it’s still slightly surprising how cold it is as the evening approaches. The fans standing in line wrapping around TD Garden don’t mind it, though.

On 3 April 2026, people of all ages and appearances wait patiently for the doors to open at the arena. From music video-inspired looks to custom sweatsuits and jerseys, every fan has a unique look but still fits in with the rest of the crowd. They even traded photocards, candies, bracelets, and other freebies with each other, forming friendships before doors opened or TWICE even stepped onto the stage.

TWICE is a South Korean girl group that formed in 2015 on a television program called Sixteen and debuted later that year in October. The nine members in the group are Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Dahyun, Jihyo, Mina, Tzuyu, and Chaeyoung. They released their first EP, The Story Begins, in October 2015. After releasing the lead single, Cheer Up, for their second EP in 2016, the group began their rise on the charts and grew their fanbase.

Since then, they’ve released ten full albums (four in Korean and six in Japanese), as well as fourteen EPs and mini-albums. Their most popular songs (such as Fancy, The Feels, What Is Love?, and I CAN’T STOP ME) have led to them topping charts and reaching new fans globally. TWICE’s fourth Korean album, THIS IS FOR, was released on 11 July 2025, and they are now on the THIS IS FOR World Tour in support of the record.

Almost 20,000 ONCE (the name for fans of TWICE) entered TD Garden, with fans crowding together on the stairs and escalators trying to get to the security check. After getting through security and having their tickets scanned, the fans rushed to the merchandise tables around the arena. Crewnecks, tote bags, keyrings, and more left the booths in the arms of excited fans. After getting merchandise and any food or drinks, attendees searched the arena for their seat – or an open space in the pit. The immersive 360° design of the stage, with attached catwalks and screen wrapping around the top of the centre stage, was the first thing fans saw once they found their spot for the concert.

As the start of the show approached, the ONCE in the crowd began preparing. They took photos of each other on digital cameras, practised choreography for the setlist, and turned on their light sticks, with most of those being TWICE ones, but some being from other groups. Fans chatted about their biases in the group and about how long they’ve been a fan. Cheers broke out throughout the arena as a promotional video montage for JYP Entertainment artists played, with fans being the loudest for their favourite artists, including Stray Kids, ITZY, and GIRLSET.

The arena was plunged into darkness, and the crowd jumped to their feet and began singing along to FOUR as it played. On the screen above the centre stage, “TWICE THIS IS FOR” flashed in white text on a blue background, matching the blue glow of the light sticks. Shouts of excitement were heard as recorded clips of each member were shown on the screen. Once the crowd’s anticipation reached its peak, the members of TWICE began singing THIS IS FOR as the screen became translucent and lifted to reveal the girl group. The girls were wearing white bejewelled outfits with fluffy white boots, reflecting the colourful lights and lasers off into the crowd.

TWICE kicked off the show with high-energy songs, such as Strategy and I CAN’T STOP ME, with some of these early songs being performed on catwalks closer to the sides of the arena. For a short break, the group’s members introduced themselves to the crowd. While only seven members were performing in Boston, with Dahyun and Chaeyoung absent and focusing on their health, the group’s energy and connection with the crowd were incredible, even early in the show. The group also introduced a call-and-response chant for the night: TWICE would say “This is for ONCE” and fans would respond with “This is for TWICE.”  After they performed OPTIONS and MOONLIGHT SUNRISE, TWICE departed from the stage to get ready for the next part of the show.

During the intermission, the group’s backup dancers kept the crowd entertained and excited for what was to come. TWICE kicked off the second part of the show with MARS, wearing new brown leather outfits. Purple and pink galaxy colours flashed in the crowd from light sticks, and the stage even began raising the members into the atmosphere on individual platforms. The girls spread out along the stage and catwalk for I GOT YOU, before they returned to the centre stage with their dancers for The Feels. After another brief break, TWICE chatted with the crowd and then jumped right into songs such as GONE and HELL IN HEAVEN. Visuals of fire and lava burned on both the large 360° screen as well as smaller cube screens moving above the stage during RIGHT HAND GIRL, before the group left for another short intermission.

During the break, a spotlight shone on TWICE’s live band beside the centre stage. The band’s instruments helped to enhance the entire experience at the show, and fans were able to appreciate them more during the intermission. The crowd was surprised to see only Tzuyu appear for the next song, but quickly realised that this section of the show was for the solo performances of the group. Each member had a unique outfit and energy for their individual songs, with some members (and their matching group of backup dancers) performing on either catwalk and others on the centre stage. The solo songs performed were Run Away (Tzuyu), STONE COLD (Mina), MEEEEEE (Nayeon), FIX A DRINK (Jeongyeon), ATM (Jihyo), DECAFFEINATED (Sana), and MOVE LIKE THAT (Momo). Jihyo and Jeongyeon returned for another fan favourite song: TAKEDOWN, from the award-winning KPop Demon Hunters animated film. They wore new, bold, coloured outfits with abstract designs that matched what the group would wear for the next section of the concert.

After TAKEDOWN, there was a short break before FANCY began playing. The screens on the stage lifted to reveal the members one at a time, with fans cheering each time they could see a new girl. Light sticks bounced in the crowd during What is Love?, YES or YES, and Dance the Night Away.

The energy was incredibly high during ONE SPARK, the song that TWICE said was the last one of the night, with yellow and white confetti blasting into the sky at the end of the track.

Still, the night was far from over. While part of the crowd sat down for a break, most fans began preparing for the ONCEVISION dance cam. From Teletubbies to star-shaped hats, fans in every type of outfit showcased their best dance moves to TWICE songs. Some people knew the choreography by heart. Others just danced energetically, excited to be featured on the dance cam being shown to the entire arena. There was even a smile cam (where fans showcased their bright smiles) and a breaking news segment encouraging fans to make some noise.

TWICE returned to the stage for an encore wearing their own merchandise to perform Feel Special. Even this far into the show, the energy was still electric, and fans were dancing to the entire song. Pink confetti shot off into the crowd at the end of the song, marking the conclusion of the known songs on the setlist. One last song remained, though: a fan-chosen surprise song. People across the entire arena began showing off a hand sign asking for one tune in particular that included that hand sign in the choreography: TT. When TWICE agreed to perform TT, fans were ecstatic since the song is older but iconic. The crowd was vibrant for the last moments of the concert, dancing and singing until the girls disappeared from the stage and the lights came back on. Even as they left the concert, many fans were chatting about their favourite songs, being noticed by their bias, and grabbing confetti.

Overall, TWICE performed for almost two whole hours, singing 29 songs total (plus playing one song during the introduction). Fans didn’t just watch a concert: they were immersed in an experience like no other. The energy of the girl group, production and stage design, and audience participation made the night memorable for every person in TD Garden.

Whether you’ve been a ONCE since their debut or you’ve never heard of the girl group – or even listened to K-pop – Twice is a group not to be missed, leaving you with memories you can cherish for life.