P1Harmony electrified Atlanta with the 2023 P1Harmony Live Tour [P1ustage H: P1oneer]

by T’Shauna Henry | photographed on Feb. 1, 2023 at The Battery in Atlanta

When arriving at The Battery Atlanta’s Coca Cola Roxy, the lines were already long and wrapped around the area all the way from the concert hall to the Truist Park baseball stadium.

Upon entering the venue, photocards of each P1Harmony member were passed out, and I could feel the excitement in the area.

I spoke with a few fans, who confirmed that those in pajamas and party hats wore them to celebrate one of the band members' birthday, Soul. While waiting for the show to start, fans sang songs playing lightly through the speakers. However, there would be an occasional ensemble of screams because some claimed to see the band members peeking through the wings from backstage.

The show started with a special PSA-esque message from the band reflecting how the years in the pandemic have been tough on everyone and that starting over, hence the tour being named “P1oneer,” was a reset to refresh everything.

As the show started, the six-piece boy band stood upstage in matching military-style jackets in all black with gold embroidery, reminding me of the outfits Michael Jackson wore during his performances. In fact, later in the show, one member performed a cover of Jackson's “Love Never Felt Good."

As the band performed, they switched off one another on their parts vocally and visually with the projected LED screens behind them. They made three costume changes throughout the show, with skits of them acting projected on the screen. As each member steadily emerged from each quick change, they talked to the audience for a few minutes, always thanking the fans for their love, support, and appreciation.

Starting the second half of the show after their covers of “21” by Dean, “Hug Me” by Joonil Jung, “Deja Vu” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good," the band started to check in to make sure everyone was safe by asking crew members to pass out waters for dehydrated fans and calling out to make sure they get the proper help they need. With their consistent reassurances and reminders, one of the band members advised everyone on the floor level of the concert hall to take steps back so no one was pushed or crushed during the experience.

When Soul was still changing, the band decided to surprise him with a "Happy Birthday" song and gifts, along with fellow audience members who also shared the same birthday.

As the show went on, they performed tracks from their album “HARMONY: SET IN” and their popular song “Do It Like This” and interacting with the audience by having them follow along with “Follow Me.”

There was a mini contest to see which parts of the audience would be the loudest, the orchestra floor versus the balcony seats, with cheering and stomping. After both sides of the house went, the band confirmed it was the balcony fans since, apparently, the orchestra fans looked visually shocked when it was their turn.

In the final leg of the concert, the band made one last quick change to matching black shirts and khaki-colored pants and once again thanked the fans for their support, for taking care of each other when someone needed help or needed water, and for welcoming them back to Atlanta after not being there since their previous tour in 2022.