dearALICE’s Rainbow Stage appearance on 28th June at BST Hyde Park wasn’t a coronation or a breakthrough moment. It was a test. A chance for a young group shaped by a reality‑show narrative to prove they could hold a festival crowd without the scaffolding of television. What they delivered was a set defined by enthusiasm, discipline and flashes of genuine promise, but also by the unmistakable signs of a group still learning how to translate training into presence.
Background and Formation
dearALICE was created through the BBC’s Made in Korea, a programme that placed four British performers inside SM Entertainment’s training system. The show gave them choreography, vocal discipline, and the structured rehearsal environment associated with Korean idol development. It also gave them a narrative that continues to shape public perception: a group built in full view of an audience, still defining who they are outside the programme.
The identity tracks from that era – Vibes, Talk to Me, and Crash Landing – remain central to how listeners understand them. These songs established their tone, combining bright pop with earnest delivery and a focus on teamwork. BST Hyde Park offered a chance to show how that foundation translates to a festival stage.
A Set That Converts Curiosity Into Commitment
The group opened with Ariana, a confident choice that immediately showcased their choreography and vocal blend. Performing without James, the fifth member who only just left the band ahead of the festival, could have unsettled the set, yet the remaining members handled the gap with composure. The vocals were polished, the movements tight and the pacing consistent. It was a measured start that suited the early afternoon slot.
Momentum built steadily. Festivalgoers began to dance and sing along, shifting from polite interest to genuine engagement. The performance felt less like a demonstration and more like a conversation between the group and the crowd.
The standout moment arrived with a lively cover of the Black Eyed Peas’ Rock That Body. The track injected a burst of festival spirit into the afternoon and allowed dearALICE to loosen their choreography, showing a more playful side that contrasted with the precision of their earlier material. It was the point where the set fully connected.
They closed with Body On, a bright track that carried enough bounce to finish on a high. A few vocal lines showed strain, yet the confidence behind the delivery ensured the energy remained intact. The crowd responded warmly, signalling that the group had earned their place on the stage.
A Presence That’s Still Taking Shape
Unlike FLO or Midnight Til Morning, dearALICE does not present as a fully formed act. The stage presence is still developing, shaped by discipline but softened by sincerity. The members work the stage rather than command it, and they build connection through effort rather than assumption. This approach suits the Rainbow Stage, where authenticity often lands more effectively than spectacle.
The Made in Korea tracks remain the backbone of their identity. The influence of Vibes, Talk to Me and Crash Landing is evident in their transitions, teamwork and melodic instincts. The group’s challenge now is to refine that foundation into a distinct artistic voice.
A Performance That Silences Doubt
BST Hyde Park was not a breakthrough moment for dearALICE. It was a performance that quietly dismantled scepticism and demonstrated that the group can hold its own without relying on the narrative of the formation. The members delivered a set that was energetic, sincere, and marked by clear discipline, yet also by the natural unevenness of a group still finding its footing. The honesty of the performance made it memorable.
All photography provided by David Ellitts (@dave_took_some_photos)
