NMIXX proves why live vocals still matter
The six-piece girl group recently played its first-ever concert in Canada at Toronto's Great Canadian Resort
(Photo credit: @nmixx_official/Instagram)
I admit that it took me a while to warm up to NMIXX.
When the group debuted in February 2022, its debut song “O.O” was met with mixed reviews—with many describing the song as disjointed and feeling like multiple different songs at once. It plays like a highlight medley, starting off as a hip hop track, then venturing into high energy rock-pop. It’s ambitious to say the least, but it also felt messy.
In the beginning, NMIXX’s songs took me on a sonic ride that left me confused as a listener.
But soon, I learned this is all part of NMIXX’s style—which requires an acquired taste.
NMIXX is known for its signature sound it describes as “MIXX POP”, which blends contrasting musical genres like pop-rock, hip hop, and funk.
While it did take me a while to buy into what NMIXX was aiming for, the tides eventually turned for me when the group made an appearance on Tiny Desk Korea last January. With nothing but a live band behind them, each of the members proved their vocal prowess and harmonies.
At at time when so many performers value choreography, visuals and overall stage presence, I have noticed many musical acts putting live vocals on the backburner to prioritize the overall spectacle of a performance. It was refreshing to see NMIXX showing why live vocals still matter. And it was then I decided I’d like to see this group play live.
NMIXX kicked off the North American leg of its [EPISODE 1: ZERO FRONTIER] World Tour in Toronto on March 29, backed by a live band. It was the first time the group was playing in Canada overall, which meant tickets for the show sold out pretty quickly after they went on sale last December.
It also helped that NMIXX was coming off of a very successful 2025, which is also the year I thought the group had finally found its footing sound-wise.
The release of its EP Fe304: Forward has been one of my favourite recent K-pop releases for the song “High Horse” alone. The track is a particular stand-out, featuring a unique blend of hip-hop, jazz, breakbeat and pop. It’s hauntingly beautiful and complex. The vocals are immaculate. The song did not feel overwhelming like its predecessors, and it was then that I finally felt NMIXX had found its true MIXX POP sound.
NMIXX continued its run of successful hits with the release of “Blue Valentine”—an euphoric pop-rock song with a great hook that makes you want to run across a field during the chorus.
During the Toronto concert, I was finally able to witness what makes NMIXX work as a group, as the band jumped from genres like hip hop, pop to rock. When a group’s signature is its ability to meld genres together, having a live band there is a perfect move—highlighting what makes NMIXX unique as performers and vocalists.
The first portion of the show highlighted NMIXX’s confidence on stage, jumping from tracks like “O.O”, “Run for Roses” and “Soñar (Breaker).” There was also space for more complex choreographic performances, as highlighted in tracks like “SPINNIN’ ON IT” and “High Horse.” For the latter, Bae and Kyujin also delivered a lyrical dancebreak that particularly impressed the crowd.
Though knowing that the group is full of powerhouse vocalists, it was the singing I was watching out for. Lily, the main vocalist of NMIXX, pulled all the stops, belting impressive runs in songs like “Break the Wall” and “Adore U.” Haewon and Kyujin always highlighted their gorgeous vocal tones during “Blue Valentine.”
I even found myself intrigued by the number “TIC TIC”, which is a collaboration with Brazilian pop singer and drag performer Pabllo Vittar. It’s an earworm from start to finish, allowing the band to explore the Latin pop genre. The choreography, which sees the NMIXX members emulating a ticking clock, was a particular crowd pleaser and also had the audience bopping along.
The encore part of the show also let the NMIXX girls let loose, as they broke out “Funky Glitter Christmas”—drawing confused laughs from the audience as to why the group was singing a holiday track in March.
As is tradition at most Canadian K-pop shows, NMIXX were also greeted with a fanmade video by NSWERs (NMIXX’s fanbase), welcoming them to Canada. Lily had a beautiful response, which I think captures the wide appeal of K-pop and its fans.
“I am so so thankful for you guys so far away, still continuing to support us despite the language, cultural barriers,” she said during the band’s encore.
“That’s the beautiful thing about K-pop, I think, is that it really unites so many different people from all over the world.”
While NMIXX’s music may take a while to sink in for many, I think the show finally fully let me embrace what it is that makes NMIXX’s MIXX POP sound stick.
At a time when many acts value overall stage presence over vocal performance, watching NMIXX felt refreshing.
The band’s concert in Toronto proved its versatility to jump from concept to concept—from confident, bubbly to emotional. I never once felt the energy drop in the concert venue. Plus, I very much valued hearing live raw and stable vocals, all while delivering intense choreography.
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