Your first K-pop concert in Spain: what nobody tells you
Photo: SeokJinned - Basically BTS Feed, CC BY 3.0. Adapted for the web.
On 26 and 27 June 2026, BTS filled the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid with the ARIRANG tour. Anyone who was there saw something unlike other concerts: thousands of synchronised lights and a whole stadium singing entire parts of each song. If you are heading to your first K-pop concert, this will help you enjoy it.
Tickets
- Buy only from the official ticket seller named by the promoter.
- Many groups open a presale for their official fan club. If your group has a membership, check the sign-up deadline.
- Be wary of sales on social media, especially if a private seller wants payment up front.
- If you are under 18, check the venue’s conditions. Each one sets its own.
The lightstick
This is each group’s official light. At many concerts it connects by Bluetooth and the venue’s system changes its colour during the show. You do not have to bring one, but it is part of the experience. Check the batteries before you leave home and always buy the official version.
Fanchants
These are the phrases the crowd shouts at specific moments in each song, usually the members’ names. Agencies often publish video guides. Learning two or three of your favourite songs is enough to feel part of it.
On the day
- Official merch usually has long queues well before the doors open. Decide in advance what you want.
- Bring a power bank, water if the venue allows it and comfortable shoes.
- Outside you will see fans handing out freebies, small handmade gifts. Bring some if you like: it is the easiest way to make friends in the queue.
Afterwards
Share your photos and videos sensibly and respect the venue’s rules. If it is your first time and you are still unsure which group to follow, start with BTS, TWICE or Stray Kids, or read which group to start with. Upcoming dates are in the concert calendar.