With their long-awaited appearance in the Italian capital, Ateez proved why they are one of K-pop’s most in demand acts. The eight member group overtook Rome on the 8th July, bringing tens of thousands of fans to the historical city. They delivered a performance that seamelessly blended explosive energy, flawless production and emotional moments with fans, making it one of the festival’s most spoken nights.

The atmosphere inside Ippodromo Delle Capannelle shifted instantly with the first beat dropping. Atiny transformed the festival into a sea of lightsticks and filling the Roman night with roars of fanchants as Ateez took to the stage.

The performance showcased everything that people expect of them, but still bringing a fresh and new vibe to their live stages. Despite the intense Euro summer heat, their choreography remained sharp and their vocals never losing their power, particularly from main vocalist Jongho.

The setlist celebrated fan favourites and newer releases, transitioning from hype-anthems such as Geurilla, Bouncy and Work to tracks from their latest eras such as Adrenaline, Nasa and Bad, allowing the audience to experience the group’s impressive musical evolution.

What truly elevated the performance, however, was Ateez’s connection with the crowd. Even with language barriers, and no translator present, the members repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Italian fans, whose passionate responses made it feel less like a festival performance and more like an Ateez concert.

Visually, the production matched the scale of the music. Towering LED screens, dramatic lighting, pyrotechnics and perfectly timed special effects amplified every song without overshadowing the artist themselves. Every performance felt cinematic while still allowing Ateez’s stage presence to remain the undeniable focal point.

As the final songs brought the evening to a close, there was a clear sense that this wasn’t just another festival – it was the beginning of what will become a lasting relationshio between Ateez and their Italian fans. The deafening cheers that followed the final bow suggested Rome is already awaiting their return.

While Ateez delivered a performance worthy of the occasion, the festival itself has been overshadowed by widespread criticism directed at promoter Kpop Italia. Following the festival, many Atiny took to social media expressing dissapointment with the event’s organisation, with some referring to the organisers as scammers due to their experience and the high price tag attached, with platinum tickets costing a staggering €345.

A major point of frustration was the length of Ateez’s set, with fans noting that the group spent only 56 minutes on stage and that the set appeared to be cut significantly shorter than expected. Many also questioned why the Kpop Italia dance crew and DJ occupied more stage time than the night’s headline act, leaving attendees feeling as though Ateez had not been treated as the festival’s main attraction.

Fans across Italy, alongside many who had travelled internationally specifically to see Ateez, shared their outrage online, arguing that both the group and Atiny deserved better and calling the event a disservice to everyone involved.

Confusion only intensified at the end of the show, as many fans remained in place expecting Ateez to return for an encore or additional songs before venue staff informed them that the performance had, in fact, concluded.

Despite the dissapointment surrounding the events organisation, one sentiment remained consistent throughout the community ; immense pride in Ateez, whose professionalism and incredible stage presence ensured they gave everything they could under difficult circumstances, even if many fans felt the festival itself fell well short of their expectations.