On March 31, rapper-singer and multi-hyphenate Jackson Wang started the U.S. leg of his MAGICMAN 2 World Tour at the Kia Forum to a sold-out crowd. This marked his second full world tour since his second studio album release in 2022, where he introduced his alter ego, Magic Man, to the world with much fanfare and acclaim. Ahgases (GOT7’s fandom name) and Jackys (Jackson’s fandom name) waited with bated breath to witness what the former fencer-turned-idol had to offer on stage, and were met with a more vulnerable Jackson.
It was generally expected before the show for fans to show up with their fandom’s lightsticks with concert freebies in hand, however, the venue did not allow lightsticks this time around. That did not stop Jackys from being excited for the show, wearing black and red, similar to the colors of Jackson’s Magic Man persona. Fans cheered loudly while the music videos from Magic Man 2 played, with fans screaming during the highlights ahead for the show.
With an in-depth and grandiose behind-the-scenes look at the first Magic Man tour, filled with lights and massive crowds, the concert set the scene. Once the smoke settled, a vulnerable Jackson behind glass was revealed with several people in suits observing him like a specimen in a zoo. He looked pensive and distraught, symbolizing the depression he felt between the two albums.
After a barrage of lights, Jackson emerged suspended in the air under the glow of a single spotlight for “High Alone.” As he twisted and turned, the screen mimicked like he was falling. Cathartic and emotional, the performance threw a punch into the facade that was Magic Man’s glitz and glamor. Eyes widened in awe, and a roaring applause exploded after the performance.
Jackson broke the usual standard of going straight into the next song by showing another VCR instead, this time showing the entertainer leaving the confines of his entrapment. What appeared was the iconic smeared eyeliner from the first tour, and was what the crowd had been waiting for the past three years—the charismatic and confident Magic Man Jackson.
The stage turned bright red as fire and lasers lit the whole venue for “Access.” Jackson moved with detailed precision in an all-black suit and black gloves. He dripped with charisma, and his backup dancers also gave their all. He dove into “Hard to Love” right after, followed by a martial arts action sequence where backup dancers pulled at him, attempting to drag him off stage.
Then, he slid off his jacket to reveal a dark mesh shirt, earning generous amounts of screaming from the audience. The stage floor opened to reveal a fan whom Jackson serenaded with “Shadows on the Wall,” a viral staple during the first world tour. The standout moment came when he knelt, laying his head on her lap, and embraced her. She grinned awkwardly, and as the fan explained, she had to “interview Jackson after the show” for a media outlet.
After the fan exited the stage, the mood shifted as fans barked incessantly. Jackson dominated the venue as he sauntered across the stage and mentioned he had “four other seats.” Mayhem exploded through the venue. Fans jumped to their feet, shoving their hands into the air, wishing to be picked for the one-on-one intimate performance from Jackson.
Four were already selected for the next two songs, “Contact” and “Closer,” which featured a massive amount of body rolls and personal interaction with Jackson and the backup dancers. The fans maintained their composure, a few of whom danced along to the beat of the songs and with Jackson himself. In the end, he gathered the fans and ripped a part of his mesh tank top, revealing his shoulder muscles. The crowd roared, and the first part of the show ended with excitement and chatter.
While the audience chatted about the previous performances, a third VCR of Jackson screaming and crying played between shots of him drinking violently. The video, although a bit uncomfortable to watch, was a side of him he wanted to highlight.
The next stage unfolded a simple, all-blue background with dancers flying in the air for “Not For Me,” followed by “Blue” which showcased Jackson’s ever-evolving vocals. His high notes were the highlight of the night, a nice departure from his more upbeat and sensual songs from the first portion of the show.
The emotional height of the whole concert and a high point of Magic Man 2 came with “Everything,” a ballad that bared his heart out. His eyes twinkled. Jackson seemed deeply moved by the crowd lighting up the venue with their phone lights. After an amazing rock introduction, he continued with “Long Gone” and “Dopamine” where he mostly focused on the vocal delivery rather than dancing.
As he sank into the floor, another VCR revealed Jackson in the same outfit, now drowning in a water tank similar to the “High Alone” music video. He struggled to get out, symbolizing his descent into darkness.
Soon after the short band performance interlude, Jackson and his backup dancers re-emerged with fire, smoke, and lasers with a complex b-boy dance performance for “Buck.” It stirred memories of his debut days as GOT7, back when they performed intense choreography breaks during their end-of-year award ceremonies.
Jackson knew how to use silence to great effect, quieting the arena before jumping into “Titanic.” He kept the crowd going, telling fans to stand up and wave along to the beat. Jackson rapped “GBAD” to near perfection, showing his prowess as a rapper. At the end, confetti rained down on the pit as his backup dancers crowded him, he yelled, “Enjoy! Fuck everything! We don’t give a fuck!”
Next, the audience was entertained with a 10-minute interlude video that explained the concept of the tour. In the video, Jackson expressed his raw emotions during the first Magic Man world tour, with a poignant statement of previously asking everyone to find their happiness, but he “never found his.” He also reflected on being honest, learning how to say no, and his grandparents who both passed. Nearing the end of the video, the audience viewed glimpses of his past, including his time on variety shows like Go Fridge and Roommate, as well as the most memorable moments of him being in GOT7. He even included footage from his competitive fencing days, which led the older fans to reminisce on how far Jackson has come.
At the end of the video, an older photo of him and his parents slowly faded in on the screen. Jackson came on stage once more to sing “Dear:,” in which he performed the song facing the family photo, and “Sophie and Ricky,” a ballad dedicated to his parents. Jackson, tearful near the end of the song, kept himself from fully crying until “Made Me a Man.” The Magic Man doppelgangers appeared one by one towards the end, and as the doors were sliding closed, he thanked the crowd again before starting to sob. Some fans were caught tearing up too during the emotionally charged moment. They chanted Jackson’s name and “Encore!” as the lights turned off to prepare for the encore stage.
The final VCR played to show a close-up of Jackson with his Magic Man makeup slowly being removed before disappearing completely from the screen. A slow logo reveal shows “J.Wang” in the Magic Man font, indicating Jackson’s full transformation from the Magic Man persona to his regular self.
Jackson reappeared in tour merchandise with his backup dancers and a single request, “It’s time to dance!” The stage became a dance club floor, and he and the Team Wang crew started inviting people on stage for remixes of “Buck,” “Access,” and “GBAD.” Some guests included some of Jackson’s personal friends, streamer Jason the Ween, and comedian Jimmy O Yang. He encouraged fans from the upper floors to dance more, stating he saw each and every one in the arena.
As the concert came to a close, Jackson thanked the staff and crew, and also wanted to announce something clear to the public.
“I just want to clarify one thing,” Jackson announced to the crowd. “I hear that sometimes on social media, people say that I’m the party guy. You know what? I fucking am.”
The crowd laughed uproariously before cheering on the fencer-turned-idol. After a group photo and with the confetti flying across the arena, the fans began clearing out for the night. Elated and laughing, fans chattered about Jackson’s charisma and especially the steamy performances earlier in the night. While the intimacy of the tour’s message did not stick the landing entirely there due to the big size of the venue, it became a good starting point for Jackson to hone in on his craft. His vulnerability on stage presented a refreshing change, and Ahgases and Jackys alike will always be there for Jackson’s next phase in music.
The North American leg of the MAGICMAN 2 World Tour continues in Oakland, Vancouver, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Toronto, with stops also in Asia.