A lot can happen in a year. Just ask Tomorrow X Together. The K-pop group, known as TXT, performed at Lollapalooza in 2022. A year later, the five artists are headlining the festival alongside Grammy winners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Hueningkai, 20, said about the group’s big slot at the iconic Chicago music festival. “It was an honor.”
TXT chatted with USA TODAY shortly after two sold-out shows at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The group spoke mostly in English, using a translator a few times. TXT’s U.S. tour continues through Memorial Day weekend, with dates at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. And while TXT is traveling across the country performing for thousands of fans, the artists managed to take some time for themselves.“A few days ago we went to SoHo to shop,” Yeonjun, 23, said of the group’s time in New York City. “We went to Central Park and it was such a good place.”Hueningkai added the group stopped by Five Guys where he grabbed a favorite: Bacon cheeseburger and a peanut butter milkshake. Fans of TXT may remember seeing the five performers at the burger chain during a 2019 reality show that documented behind-the-scenes moments with the group.
TXT fans, collectively called “MOA,” which stands for “moments of alwaysness,” have driven the group since their inception.“I think they’re our biggest inspiration,” Taehyun, 21, said. “We are fire and they are gasoline.”
When the group debuted in 2019, TXT won Rookie of the Year at the Asia Artist Awards.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity at a meaningful juncture of our journey,” Soobin, 22, said. “I’m proud of that.”
Their latest release, “The Name Chapter: Temptation” dropped in January and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The EP’s lead single was “Sugar Rush Ride,” a dance pop song with a catchy melody. Using such an earworm for the first single was not a coincidence.
“I think these days there’s short-form, Reels and YouTube Shorts, that’s so important to singers,” Taehyun said. “Making the melody ‘hook-y’ is very important.”
TXT, like BTS, is under Big Hit Music, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation. And the group believes that the management company has valued working with them.
“I enjoy (Big Hit’s) music style,” Hueningkai said. “They’re great at getting us a lot of good opportunities. They’re incredible on that front.”
And as far as new music, fans will have to wait. At least, for now.“Our world tour is still ongoing, so for the rest of our tour we’ll make lots of good memories with our ‘MOA,’ ” said Beomgyu, 22. “And we’re focusing on coming back with good music and a good new album.”
