After what felt like hours of being teased by the pre-show instrumental playing throughout the stadium, ARMY, BTS’ dedicated fandom, erupted into screams as the running man finally appeared, leaving a trail of red smoke behind him, marking the start of the show.
The day was finally here for Baltimore ARMY. After years of fans waiting for the moment to see BTS together again, the orchestral instrumental began to play as the members and dancers made their way up the ramp, the stage glowing red around them.
The crowd burst into cheers as the moment finally became real. Some were recording, others smiling, while a few were already wiping away tears as fireworks lit up the sky and the members appeared on the screen one by one, taking their places for the beginning of the ARIRANG Tour in Baltimore, Day Two, August 11, 2026.
j-hope set the energy for the show, red lights blaring across the stadium as he turned, his strong stage presence immediately taking over as he kicked off the concert with “Hooligan,” the entire stadium singing along with him at the top of their lungs.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
After a long-awaited reunion for BTS’ fandom, known as ARMY, following the members’ mandatory military service under Korean law beginning in 2022, BTS and ARMY were finally together again for the ARIRANG Tour. Despite the time spent apart, all seven members took the opportunity to explore their own sounds through individual projects, keeping ARMY busy along the way. However, nothing compares to having the group back together again on stage.
The setlist brought together songs from their latest album, ARIRANG, their first release following military service, introducing a new sound, a new vibe, and what felt like the beginning of a new chapter for the group.
The title itself draws from Korea’s traditional folk song “Arirang,” often associated with Korean identity, emotion, and resilience. In a way, that meaning can also be connected back to BTS’ own story. From their debut in 2013 to now, the group has continued breaking boundaries, carrying their identity with them every step of the way while growing into one of the biggest acts in the world.
Inside M&T Bank Stadium
It’s no secret that running a K-pop concert is difficult, let alone for an act as popular as BTS. M&T Bank Stadium, however, made the process feel much easier for fans throughout the night.
From entrance to exit, staff were there guiding attendees, answering questions, and making sure fans were moving safely throughout the venue. Their kindness and organization helped make the overall experience feel smooth, especially with the amount of people coming in and out of the stadium.
From the moment fans arrived to the moment they left, the experience was without a doubt a positive one.
The enormous 360-degree stage made the scale of the tour feel even bigger, almost like it was shouting, we are BTS, and we are here to reunite with our fans. It gave fans from every side of the stadium a view as BTS moved throughout the space, while also making room for as many fans as possible to experience the show.
Even the weather seemed to be in Day Two’s favor, helping make it an unforgettable night for both the members and ARMY.
Old Favorites Meet a New Chapter
The first set of songs brought a huge surge of energy with the rap-heavy tracks “Hooligan” and “Aliens,” along with “Run BTS,” a song from their album PROOF and one that became a major highlight during their free concert in South Korea before the group’s temporary hiatus to fulfill their military duties.
The mood shifted with the more vocal-heavy tracks like “they don’t know ’bout us” and “Like Animals,” with ARMY’s voices coming together throughout the stadium. There were moments when the crowd fell almost silent, taking in the vocals and the reality of finally hearing these songs live, their voices carrying through the stadium and creating an almost heavenly feeling throughout the crowd.
That silence quickly turned into another burst of screams as RM, the leader of BTS and one of the group’s rappers, said, “Sing along with us.”
The instrumental to “FAKE LOVE” began to play, instantly recognizable throughout the stadium. A staple in BTS’ discography and a longtime fan favorite, the song also holds an important place in the group’s journey into the global market, including its world television premiere at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
The lights across the stadium turned blue, including the ARMY Bombs, the official name of BTS’ lightsticks, creating a beautiful blue sea throughout the venue. On stage, the members remained hidden between the dancers as flowing fabric moved around them, setting up the next performance: the album’s title track.
A song that went through plenty of back and forth between the members as they considered what track could best represent this next chapter of BTS, “SWIM” carries a message of continuing to move forward through life’s challenges, with a sense of love for life itself intertwined throughout the track.
The title track, “SWIM,” slowly made its way in with a beautiful instrumental intro as the members got into position.
Jungkook, the maknae, the youngest member of the group, opened the song. Without thinking twice, he pointed his microphone toward the crowd, letting ARMY finish the line for him. Their voices filled the stadium, singing every word back to him. “I could spend a lifetime watching you,” became one of those lines that felt especially easy for fans to relate to in that moment, before the set moved into another emotional track, “Merry Go Round.”
However, the energy quickly picked back up with “2.0,” another iconic track for many fans. Voices across the stadium came together for the chorus, immediately bringing the excitement back. Following was “NORMAL,” with ARMY singing along word for word as if they were there to perform too.
A few older songs also made their way back into the setlist, including 2017’s “Not Today,” before leading into a moment many fans had been waiting for: the famous fan chant of “MIC Drop.”
The stadium erupted as soon as the lights came back on, drowning the crowd in a sea of green. j-hope hit the song’s signature opening footwork, leading into a track that, without fail, almost every ARMY in the stadium seemed to know.
“Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, Jeon Jungkook.”
The fan chant somehow sounded even louder than the music itself.
The momentum continued into “FYA.” The lights turned red as the members looked down into the camera, waiting for the beat to drop. The second it did, the entire stadium started jumping, with some fans even claiming they could feel the stadium shake throughout multiple stops. The track then mixed into a remix of one of BTS’ most popular songs, “Burning Up (Fire),” making a sick transition between the two songs.
A Night Built Around ARMY
There was a beautiful moment as “Body to Body” began, a song that mixes a more modern sound with elements from the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang,” which, as mentioned earlier, helped inspire the story behind the album. Fans united to sing the traditional melody in Korean while the members stood on the spinning 360 platform stage, listening as ARMY’s voices filled the stadium.
It almost felt like a mission for ARMY to sing it as loudly as possible, a way of showing appreciation not only for the members, but for the culture being represented in the song.
The track then mixed into the instrumental of “IDOL,” another song that brings strong Korean traditional influences into its sound, as the members stepped off the main stage and made their way around the stadium, getting closer to fans.
The humming of “Come Over” soon began, signaling the members’ return to the stage for the final portion of the concert. Produced by SUGA, with RM and j-hope also credited, the song was originally released as an exclusive track on the deluxe vinyl edition of ARIRANG before later being released digitally as a gift to ARMY.
The track brought a softer feeling to the night, exploring themes of feeling lost, emotionally exhausted, and wanting to reconnect after a long separation. In a way, it almost mirrored the worries surrounding BTS’ own reunion, with seven members wondering if their fans would still be there waiting for them.
And of course, they were.
That emotional tone quickly helped make “Come Over” a fan favorite, before the energy picked back up again with two songs that could not be left out of the setlist: “Butter” and “Dynamite.”
Both played an important role in BTS’ global expansion, including major moments like their Grammy performances, while also remaining some of the most fun songs to experience live. Almost the entire stadium sang along as the members themselves appeared to be having just as much fun on stage.
DJ Spin Brings the Nostalgia
Then came the moment fans had been waiting for: DJ Spin.
At every tour stop, the segment gave fans the chance to hear two random songs from BTS’ discography. For a moment, everyone seemed to hold their breath as the members began reading through the suggestions held up on posters throughout the crowd.
Until SUGA said, “DJ, spin that shit.”
The stadium exploded the second the first notes of “Just One Day” began, bringing back a song from much earlier in BTS’ career, released on their 2014 album Skool Luv Affair. A gem many fans probably thought they would never get the chance to hear live.
Then came the second pick.
“DJ, spin it,” V said.
Another burst of screams followed as Jimin began his line in “Best of Me,” a track from their 2017 album Love Yourself: Her and an era that remains memorable for many fans. It made the moment feel almost full circle as the entire stadium came together to sing a longtime fan favorite, carrying the same uplifting feeling that has followed BTS and ARMY throughout the years.
Closing out the final talking session, BTS threw out plenty of Baltimore puns while sharing how much they enjoyed their time in the city, from the kindness they experienced to the food and the energy Baltimore gave them throughout the night.
Jimin even left fans with a determined, “I will be back.”
The final two songs, “Please” and “Into the Sun,” wrapped up the night as fireworks filled the sky and the members slowly made their way off stage, bringing BTS’ second and final night in Baltimore to an end.
It was a bittersweet feeling for fans as they watched their favorites wave goodbye, the ARMY Bombs glowing in a golden orange-yellow hue across the stadium. Even after the concert ended, many of the lightsticks remained on as fans began making their way home.
Seven Together Again
Without a doubt, BTS demonstrated why they are seven and why their success has continued, each member bringing a different strength to the stage while somehow coming together as one.
RM naturally took on his role as leader, from his lyricism and rap to using English throughout the night to communicate and connect with global fans, all while bringing his charismatic smile and energy.
SUGA brought his distinct rap flow and delivery, mixed with the cute moments here and there that never failed to make ARMY aww and laugh.
Meanwhile, j-hope commanded the stage with his undeniable presence, energy, and clear enjoyment of being back on stage, and, of course, his iconic, “I’m your hope, you’re my hope, I’m j-hope.”
Jimin brought an adorable energy that constantly had ARMY laughing and smiling, while also giving plenty of whiplash once it was time to perform, captivating the stadium through his vocals, performance, and visuals.
Jin’s voice and ability to hit his notes stood out throughout the night, and hearing his vocals live truly made his studio recordings feel like they could never fully do them justice. Alongside that came the confidence, undeniable visuals, and, of course, his signature flying kiss.
V brought his unmistakable vocal tone and range, mixed with the mannerisms and charisma that have made him an “it boy” in his own way, while his signature boxy smile continued to make its appearance throughout the night.
And Jungkook continued to show why he is known as the group’s golden maknae, bringing together strong vocals, performance, and an energy that carried through every part of the show. He also had ARMY laughing while explaining why he had been wearing glasses throughout the night, sharing that he wanted to look nice for ARMY but had used creatine and woke up with puffy eyes, followed by plenty of apologies.
Individually, their strengths are clear, especially through the solo work each member released leading up to their reunion, allowing them to establish their own identities, sounds, and styles outside of the group. You can see those experiences in them now, with pieces of their individual growth finding their way back into the music and performances they create together.
But watching all seven of them together again showed what makes BTS, BTS, and how the bond between the group and ARMY has remained just as strong through the years apart.
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