Epik High Takes LA by Storm at The Wiltern

August 28th, 2024, was a fantastic night for Los Angeles, full of laughter, music, and waterworks as Epik High took over The Wiltern. The iconic Korean hip-hop group, made up of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz, combined their unique sound with a lighthearted spirit. Only Epik High can create this type of dynamic performance that has the crowd up and jumping the entire time.

A Quirky Start

A lighthearted quiz show that established the tone for the evening started off the night in typical Epik High flair. Following the trio’s quirky quiz via video, they broke into their hit song “Anti-Hero,” thrilling the audience, and then moved smoothly into the joyful anthem “Fly,” with Tablo ordering everyone to jump along.

Each member was given equal attention, and their individual songs each demonstrated a different approach. As “No Thanxxx” was played in front of an enthusiastic audience, Tablo couldn’t help but exclaim, “My mic is sweating because it’s so hot in here”. Following that, the group played the lively “Eternal Sunshine” and “Late Checkout” off their most recent mixtape, PUMP, and asked the audience to yell out their other favorites.

A Taste of LA: From Haircuts to BCD to Tacos

Tablo told a funny story about the group’s early arrival in Los Angeles in between songs. Having assumed that BCD Tofu House would be the meeting place for all Los Angeles inhabitants with a penchant for Korean cuisine, they had gone straight from getting haircuts to their first LA meal at BCD. The audience swiftly corrected him though! Mithra and Tukutz chose galbi instead of tacos with Tablo, demonstrating how much of a difference in food choices they had.

Waterworks: A Splash of Fun

The band’ spontaneous “free water show,” in which they playfully doused the audience with water during “Rosario” and “Bruj Khalifa,” was one of the evening’s highlights. Before leading two of the members a daring jump into the crowd to get closer to their fans, Tablo even made a vow to drench the fans on the second level. The group’s lyrics in “Group Chat Freestyle” was the energy’s high point, demonstrating their quick wit and close-knit chemistry.

The member made it a point to see everyone up close. Mithra ran upstairs to the balcony to run around and see those fans at the top. At the same time, Tablo ran through the first floor all the way to the back where he found out that there were people literally at the back door standing.

The Epik High Roast to Sentimentality

There was a lot of lighthearted banter between Epik High and the audience. When the moment came to spray the fans with water, Tablo saw that a fan had asked to be sprayed, hid behind his girlfriend. The three made sure he didn’t get away with it by keeping a bottle of water specifically for him. Tablo commented on the aggressive yet chill atmosphere of LA supporters, who might be abruptly agitated, as the group maintained its roasting throughout the evening.

Epik High revealed a more vulnerable side as the evening came to an end. Tablow said that each member has a distinct personality. With Mithra being an I (introvert), Tukutz as an E(extrovert) and Tablo is a blend of I and E. As a joke, Tukutz stated his MBTI is EPIK (as it traditionally has 4 letters starting with I or E). The point was, that they wouldn’t be able to coexist without the fans, who act as their super glue.

Due to having many friends in the city, Mithra Jin said that Los Angeles seems like his second home, while DJ Tukutz acknowledged that he misses home but felt at home with the crowd that night. The melancholic “Home is Far Away” served as a suitable farewell, paying homage to the bond that exists between the band and its fans.

Encore

When everyone believed the evening was ending, Epik High made a dramatic comeback to the stage and sang the hits “Don’t Hate Me” and “Born Hater.” While DJ Tukutz rushed about the venue, spraying water and acting like a fan, they took the time to autograph a t-shirt and toss it into the crowd (that reached the top floor!). The group thanked the crowd and wished them health and well as the evening came to a close on a positive note.

The event had an excellent mix of intense performances, moving moments, and lots of laughter, all in true Epik High fashion. Everyone walked out of The Wiltern, as promised, feeling a little bit stronger and happier than before, and they all looked forward to the next time Epik High comes to town. Epik High will still be touring for the next month so catch them near you!

Photo credit: blobyblo Instagram