Rap trio Epik High says their upcoming concert series will keep everyone -- both the audience and themselves -- on their toes.
“Because none of us will know ahead of time what kind of show will be taking place that day, each one will keep us on edge until it goes up. That’s what makes it more fun,” said member Mithra Jin at a press conference Thursday.
Titled “Now Playing,” the concert series will allow the audience to vote among six themes -- action, humanity, melodrama, horror, science fiction and erotica -- spontaneously on the day of each concert. Each theme will feature a different playlist of the group’s songs.
Rap trio Epik High at a press conference Thursday for their upcoming concert “Now Playing,” at Sogang University. From left: Mithra Jin, Tablo and DJ Tukutz. (YG Entertainment)
“We conducted a preliminary survey online, and it was revealed that the most anticipated theme is erotica,” said member DJ Tukutz with a laugh. “I can’t believe we didn’t see that coming.”
The concert is also to feature a roster of yet unidentified but much-anticipated guest performers.
“We won’t reveal who they are, you’ll have to see on the day,” said DJ Tukutz.
While Epik High has been actively touring in Asia and North America for the past year, performing massive-scale shows, this concert series is to be held at a small hall at Sogang University. Member Tablo cited nostalgia for the group’s earlier days as the reason behind this decision.
“This past year, while touring on big shows around the world, we spent a lot of time talking and got nostalgic about the past. We’d reminisce about the tiny shows we used to do when we first started out. We wanted to return to that feeling,” Tablo said.
He also spoke about High Ground, the new music label that Epik High has recently launched. Rising indie band Hyuk Oh has been recruited as the label’s first artist.
“I would like High Ground to be a breeding ground for diverse musicians regardless of genre or format, whether they be indie, major, idol or hip-hop.”
As artists, Epik High will remain under the YG Entertainment label, Tablo added. “It was a conscious decision to distance ourselves as artists. We want High Ground to focus entirely on the music of our recruits, and not our own.”
Throughout the past 12 years, Epik High has gained both domestic and international acclaim for their brand of alternative, old-school hip-hop.
The “Now Playing” concert series will be held at the Sogang University Mary Hall from July 31-Aug. 2 and from Aug. 7-9.
By Rumy Doo (
bigbird@heraldcorp.com)
