[Concert Recap] The Rose Live at AFAS Live, Amsterdam

The Rose Live at AFAS Live, Amsterdam: A Night of Healing & Harmony

June 15, 2025

On a warm Sunday evening in Amsterdam, The Rose delivered a concert that felt less like a show and more like a shared journey. From the moment the doors opened at 18:30, fans streamed into AFAS Live with excitement, and by 20:00, the venue was buzzing with anticipation.

The set opened with “숨 (Soom)”, introduced through a soft, atmospheric story about a train departing, a destination unknown. It felt like a metaphor for healing, movement, and transformation. With layered fabric as their stage design and blue-purple moonlit lighting in the background, the mood was dreamlike, immediately setting the tone for the night.

As they moved into “Ticket to the Sky”, the band sat side by side, creating an intimate energy. The soft glow continued into “Childhood”, played under gentle orange lighting. The entire first part of the concert stayed acoustic, highlighting the rawness of their sound. “Definition of Ugly Is” and “She’s in the Rain” followed with equally stripped-back arrangements, spotlighting each vocalist one by one. The minimalism was powerful, delicate, sincere, and emotionally gripping.

From there, the tone shifted. “Tomorrow” brought a burst of fun. Woosung twirled in his chair while Dojoon jokingly encouraged the audience to “shake that booty,” sparking laughter throughout the crowd. Their charisma kept the energy up while maintaining that emotional connection.

As “Nebula” began, the fabric decor dropped dramatically to reveal a cozy living room set. It was a turning point in the show where the seated crowd rose to their feet, swept up by the power of the performance. 

“Lifeline” followed with intensity, carrying a message that lingered long after the final note: “The Rose could be your lifeline.” Then came “You're Beautiful”, backed by soft pink dreamlike visuals that glowed gently across the venue. “Amsterdam, you are amazing”, is what Woosung told the crowd. 

During “Shift”, the band asked everyone to close their eyes and feel the moment together. Lightsticks lit up the hall like stars. “Slowly” flowed in with an almost reflective quietness, accompanied by visuals that gave off a warm, sentimental feeling. 

“Nauseous was a clear crowd favorite, turning the room electric with energy. Everyone was dancing and singing. During “Yes” we had the opportunity to hear all the members of the band sing a piece, which was truly a present. Even though the energy was already high, the crowd erupted into screams when they started with “Back to me”. 

With “Alive” and “Red”, the energy only intensified even more. All the lightsticks glowed red, creating a stunning sea of color. “Red” was a clear crowd favorite, because there was no way to get this crowd in their seats again. 

After that the band joked with the crowd, rating Amsterdam's energy lower than other cities: “Every country was a 9.6, 9.7... you guys? 7.2. That’s me being generous.” Naturally, we screamed louder. “Okay, 9.6. You tried,” they teased.

The tone shifted again for “Sorry”, “Eclipse”, and “Beauty and the Beast”. These songs carried deep emotional weight, and the crowd responded with complete attention and swaying lights. Black Roses in the audience looked visibly moved making it one of the most connective moments of the night.

Then came a final stretch of passion and release. “Nevermind”, “Wonder”, and “Sour” got everyone moving. Lyrics for the chorus of “Sour” were projected on screen so fans could sing along together. “Cosmo” followed with one of the most affirming messages of the night: “Every single one of you is so fucking special.”

And finally, the encore arrived, “O”. The song wrapped the night in stillness and gratitude. As the last notes faded, the band left us with a message: “We go as one, Amsterdam.” After everything, the laughter, the tears, the healing, it felt absolutely true.

Thank you Mojo & The Rose for having us.