Photo Cr. Megan Kan // KpopWise

In May, Yves began her second solo tour in North America, “The Americas Tour.” Following the release of her latest EP, “NAIL,” in April, the singer has been busy preparing for the tour by visiting eight cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, and Chicago.

For a brief introduction, Yves debuted in 2016 as a member of the girl group Loona, originally a twelve-member act. As the members later branched off into their own projects and careers, Yves boldly made her solo debut in May 2024 with the song “Loop.” Since then, she has released albums and EPs, with listeners likely recognizing songs such as “Viola” and “Soap,” the latter featuring a collaboration with singer-songwriter sensation PinkPantheress.

On May 13, Yves came to San Francisco and once again took the stage at the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. It was my first time seeing her live, and while I was unsure of what to expect, I was especially curious about the kind of impression she would leave through both her music and stage presence as an individual artist.

As the night unfolded, it became clear that Yves showcased two distinct sides of herself through her music and performance style. The first was her charismatic, bold, and seductive side. This was especially noticeable during opening songs such as “Halo” and “Hashtag,” where chair choreography and sharp dance routines transformed the stage into something theatrical. Her dancers added energy and charisma that enhanced the atmosphere, creating the feeling of a true pop-diva production. Yves maintained a mysterious presence while seated in the chair as the dancers gradually built anticipation before she fully stepped into the spotlight. Although her movements while seated were subtle, each gesture felt deliberate and captivating to the audience.

“Hashtag” delivered a more upbeat atmosphere with energetic formations and choreography rooted in R&B and hip-hop influences. Through this number, Yves displayed a livelier and more playful side that contrasted with the slower, more mysterious tone of “Halo.”

The second side of Yves’s artistry reflected a softer, singer-songwriter style, or what I mentally referred to as her “Taylor Swift” side. Songs such as “Afterglow” and “Bird” featured emotional melodies that revealed a more sentimental side to her music. The slow buildup of percussion and the gentle strumming of electric guitar created a noticeable contrast compared to her more visually intense performances.

Between songs, Yves spoke candidly about her music, songwriting, and the emotions behind her work.

“I wanted to make an album where I participated more in writing the lyrics to my songs. I wanted to make sure it was a more sentimental and emotional album for you guys as well,” the singer explained before discussing the previous song she had performed.

“So ‘Birth’ is a song about rebirth and finding ourselves during difficult changes. I hope you guys listen to that song when you’re going through difficult times. It also has a slightly darker meaning, but I hope you listen to it whenever you’re struggling and need to lift yourselves back up as well.”

“Birth,” from her newest album “NAIL,” blends electro, alternative pop, and R&B influences. I found it especially unique because of how its deeper lyrical meaning paired with the experimental production style. The track highlights Yves’s strong artistic identity and creativity, making her music feel memorable and distinct. Songs like this also allow listeners to hear softer and more intentional vocals that complement the emotional themes.

“White Cat” featured an upbeat pop-synth sound that had fans singing along throughout the performance. The track stood out because it balanced playful choreography with hidden emotional depth in the lyrics, fitting naturally alongside the rest of
the setlist while still feeling unique.

Throughout the evening, it became obvious which songs were fan favorites and earned the loudest reactions, yet Yves’s audience remained supportive during every stage of the concert. Whether waving lightsticks during emotional ballads or screaming during hits like “Viola” and “Soap,” featuring PinkPantheress, the crowd continuously returned the energy Yves gave them.

As the show came to a close, Yves—who maintained a personal and engaging connection with fans through her conversations between songs—demonstrated just how intentional she is as an artist. This could be seen not only in her interactions with the audience, but also in the creativity, uniqueness, and versatility found throughout her discography.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I could be a soloist, and some people told me it was going to be hard,” the singer confessed. Fans immediately responded with boos and disagreement.

“But time has passed quickly, and I’ve already released two more albums since then. I always wanted to show you guys more performances and see you more often, but I was sad that I wasn’t able to do that. So I really hope that when you look back on today, it becomes a fun and memorable moment in your life.”

Thank you to Yves’s Team for having us, and you can get tickets and catch Yves in her Canadian and South American leg of her tour in the upcoming month!

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