Archive · 20 Sep 2026
BTS Draws Cheers and Fan Frustration at iHeartRadio Festival
BTS performed at a large music festival in Las Vegas.
The group closed the first night of the event.
All seven members performed four songs.
The reported songs included “SWIM,” “2.0,” “MIC Drop” and “FYA.”
The performance lasted about 16 minutes.
Many fans liked the members’ energy and singing.
Other fans thought the group was given too little time and that the sound, cameras and lighting were not handled well.
These fans said the treatment of BTS and ARMYs seemed unfair.
BTS closed the first night of the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook performed a four-song set lasting roughly 16 minutes.
The reported setlist included “SWIM,” “2.0,” “MIC Drop” and “FYA,” with coverage also describing songs from ARIRANG.
Fans praised BTS’s energy and vocals, while production issues affected parts of the broadcast and live experience.
ARMYs criticized the brief stage time, sound mixing, microphone levels, camera work, lighting, abrupt ending and alleged event logistics.
- Who
- BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, along with their fans known as ARMYs.
- What
- BTS performed a four-song set and closed the first night of the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival.
- When
- September 18, 2026.
- Where
- T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, United States.
- Why
- The appearance drew attention because of BTS’s energetic performance and fan criticism over the short set and alleged production problems.
Positive Performance Response
ARMY Criticism
BTS’s performance
Positive Performance Response
Fans praised the group’s energy and vocals, and the performance received loud cheers from the audience.
ARMY Criticism
Some fans said production problems, including sound and microphone issues, prevented BTS from performing under suitable conditions.
Stage time
Positive Performance Response
BTS completed a four-song set and served as the final act, closing the first night of the festival.
ARMY Criticism
Fans criticized the roughly 16-minute performance, noting that other acts reportedly received longer stage slots.
Event production and treatment
Positive Performance Response
The set included flames and other stage effects as BTS concluded the night.
ARMY Criticism
ARMYs complained about poor sound mixing, weak microphone levels, difficult lighting, camera work, an abrupt ending and alleged logistics problems, and questioned iHeartRadio’s handling of the group.
- Event
- 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival
- Performance date
- September 18, 2026
- Venue
- T-Mobile Arena
- Location
- Las Vegas, United States
- Set length
- Roughly 16 minutes
- Reported setlist
- “SWIM,” “2.0,” “MIC Drop” and “FYA”
- Festival return
- BTS’s first appearance at the festival in approximately six years
- Fan response
- Praise for BTS’s performance alongside criticism of limited stage time and production
