Jennie‘s first solo studio album, Ruby, is finally here, and last night, the Blackpink star kicked off the Ruby Experience — a series of four shows at intimate venues, starting with two shows in Los Angeles, a stop at New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall, and a closing show in Seoul.
Rosé, Jisoo, and Lisa have each released their solo music one by one, with Rosé’s Rosie in December, Jisoo’s Amortage in February, and Lisa’s Alter Ego just last week. Now, with Ruby by Jennie, it feels like we’ve come full circle. Jennie holds her own as a soloist, even with stacked features on the album from Dua Lipa to Doechii to Childish Gambino, and the first Ruby Experience show at the Peacock Theater in downtown L.A. was no different.
You could feel the excitement and energy in the room before the show started, as not much information was shared on what the Ruby Experience would entail, but fans were not disappointed by this one-of-a-kind night. The performance ran just over an hour as Jennie took the audience through the journey of her solo debut. “You guys are the first people to hear this album live, and it’s just so special to feel this way with you guys here tonight,” she said. As Jennie’s first-ever solo show, this was an unforgettable night. She finally revealed her long-awaited solo sound, complete with a live band, full choreography, and artistic visuals between songs. We break down five key highlights below.
The Fashion
“Keep your hair done, nails done, like Jennie.” Jennie is an It girl, and it’s no surprise that the fashion at her first solo show did not disappoint. From light-blue tights paired with red heels and a fur coat to mirror paneled miniskirts, Jennie is sure to start some fashion trends from her Ruby Experience outfits. Her fans were spotted in Jennie-inspired looks, too, from hints of red as a nod to Ruby to brands that Jennie has endorsed, like Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Adidas. Bright red wigs were aplenty as well, as fans playfully dressed up as Jennie in her album artwork.
The Live Band
Each performance throughout the show was accompanied by a live band that really brought Ruby to life and elevated each track. A standout moment came when performing “Starlight,” as Jennie surprised fans by playing the intro on piano herself. And while the studio version ends with a calm, quiet narration by actor Yeo Jin-goo, the Ruby Experience transformed the song’s outro into an energetic, live band version as Jennie celebrated the night with her dancers and a big bow to thank the audience.
The Choreography
The start of the Ruby Experience coincided with the album’s release in the U.S., making it a unique opportunity for fans to experience the music with Jennie in real time. While global fans were watching the “like JENNIE” music video on their screens, fans in Los Angeles were watching Jennie’s first-ever performance of the song, complete with backup dancers. “Mantra” had a great dance break and while Jennie briefly stepped out of the spotlight between songs, her dancers had a moment with the live band to take the stage. Jennie’s performance throughout the show showcased her range, from sharp, snappy choreography to more interpretive, free-flowing movements that felt natural and complemented the music.
Justin Choe*
The Cinematic Production
Performing 15 tracks that vary in genre and style cohesively couldn’t have been an easy task, but the Ruby Experience had a seamless flow that wrked. Jennie leaned into curating the show into a cinematic experience: The show opened and closed with red curtains and the audience was never left waiting too long during outfit changes. The visuals onscreen were artistic and felt true to Jennie’s identity, and transitions throughout made the entire show almost feel like a musical, from when the curtains first opened to when Jennie took her final bow before the credits rolled.
Angella Choe*
The Raw Emotions
Jennie’s emotions overflowed as the show drew to a close, revealing the depth of her passion and dedication to bring Ruby to life. She thanked her devoted fans who waited so patiently for her album to arrive and acknowledged the significance of this milestone — her first solo show. “It’s my story that I’m telling you,” she said, holding back tears before leading into “twin,” the last track on Ruby. “And if you’re here tonight, it just means the world to me, and thank you for listening to my songs. I really wanted to thank you guys for believing in me and making this dream come true of mine, so thank you. Thank you guys for coming to my show. My album is finally out in the world!”
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