Photos by NC ; Written by NC
It has been months since DPR’s Dream Reborn World Tour ended and I have finally found the words to talk about it. The truth is, I didn’t want to admit that it was over. It was done in a flash and I had to get back to my regular life—which is rather boring, but I digress. I was lucky enough to attend the two Texas dates in September. I already had a glimpse of what to expect because I just couldn’t hold myself back from watching video clips on social media. When I tell you that everything exceeded my expectations, I mean it. You could be as prepared as you can, but in reality DPR will make sure to shatter every expectation you had and make each show unique in its own way.
The production of this tour was beyond my comprehension. You can see the amount of time, effort, and love that was put into this. The lighting, VCRs, choreography, mixes—everything came together so seamlessly to where it was more than just a concert. It’s a full immersion into the world of DPR. The show was a perfect mix of clubbing, chill vibes, and theatrics, always keeping you on your toes. The energy never slowed down, shifting between high energy moments and laid-back beats.
DPR Artic was the first in the lineup. His entrance was very cool and mysterious, building up the anticipation. He knew exactly how to work the stage, hyping up the crowd while still keeping his calm and collected vibe that he’s known for. As someone who has never been to the club, this is my closest experience. It was the perfect way to start the night and let loose before the next acts. Nothing can beat listening to ‘Escape’ while being amongst a hype crowd. In that moment, everything from the outside world, all the stress, faded away. There was nothing but pure energy, music, and the connections with everyone around me.
The second act, DPR Cream, was the perfect way to wind down, bringing a more mellow and groovy energy that let everyone catch their breath. His personality on stage is easygoing and flirty at times. He takes time with each side of the crowd, making sure to lock eyes with the audience and create a connection with them. The atmosphere felt almost dreamlike. Even though Cream’s set had a more laid-back vibe, the crowd stayed lively and engaged. There were times during his set where he stepped behind the DJ booth, mixing live and adding his own flair, which only made the audience even more hyped. My favorite song of the night was ‘i miss u (too bad).’ It’s one of my favorites from psyche: red and hearing it live made me love it even more.
Finally, we make it to DPR Ian’s set. His performance was a powerful blend of theatrics, high-energy moments, and raw emotion. He opened with ‘Welcome to the Other Side,’ the perfect way to draw the audience into his world. This song has always been special to me, especially the lyrics “we will not fall.” These words have gotten me through my toughest moments, so experiencing them in person and singing along with Ian was healing in ways I couldn’t imagine. I can say that about the majority of the songs performed. ‘Nerves,’ ‘Miss Understood,’ ‘Ballroom Extravaganza,’ and ‘Merry Go’ are all songs dear to me, so singing them with other Dreamers and Ian is a memory I’d like to cherish forever. Ian made sure to talk with the audience from time to time, creating a more intimate experience. He shared some anecdotes from his childhood, along with a few inspiring words for the fans. Who knew little Ian once craved a peanut butter and jelly sandwich over Korean food for lunch? He’s always urged fans to fight for what they love and work hard for the things they dream about. To be honest, Ian and DPR are the reason why I picked up my camera again. The set had many vulnerable moments, but it had its fair share of humorous ones too. The Green, a character from the DPR universe, made an appearance and brought some comic relief. His chaotic energy on stage and the playful interactions with the fans filled the venue with laughter. At the very end, everyone from the band to the dancers and the rest of the DPR crew came out for a remix version of ‘Do or Die,’ creating the perfect ending to an already unforgettable show.
Lastly, I wanted to give a special shout out to the band and the dancers. Without them, the show would be incomplete. The band made the music ten times better and each band member brought their own special touch. The dancers elevated every performance with their energy and precision. They weren’t just dancers for this show—they were a crucial part in the storytelling. My favorite performances by the dancers were for ‘So Beautiful’ and ‘1 Shot.’ Their passion was undeniable. You could see the dedication and heart that was put into every move. I was lucky enough to speak with Joshua Son and Kylie Montoya, the stars of the ‘So Beautiful’ introduction, and ask them a few questions about their experience on tour.
What’s been the most challenging part of the tour so far and how have you overcome those challenges?
Joshua: The most challenging part was probably getting through the last half of the show since that’s when the energy levels start to deplete…[especially] because we’ve been dancing so much in the beginning! It’s definitely a mental and physical game you have to talk yourself through.
Kylie: I would say the lack of a consistent sleep schedule was a bit of a physical and mental challenge at times. Truthfully, time felt nonexistent on the road whether it was back to back show days, not sleeping well on the tour bus the night prior, or battling fatigue due to jet lag, etc. Regardless of it all, we had to always put on our best show because that’s what every single Dreamer and audience member was deserving of! Getting to see the joy it brought others and hear how much of a memorable experience it was for them was definitely the most rewarding part. So, I would say that, along with a lot of caffeine consumption, is what ultimately kept us motivated and happy to keep pushing through.
What is your favorite performance of this tour? Which choreography was the most challenging to practice?
Kylie: Hands down [my favorite] was ‘So Beautiful!’ I always love getting into character for this piece and it’s a fun challenge getting to perform in a stiletto. For the guitar solo leading into ‘So Beautiful,’ Joshie and I were excitedly asked to choreograph a duet piece and part of the challenge in this was:
1. The guitar solo was freestyle each night, so it was never played the same.
2. We kept wanting to tweak the choreo, so it never got redundant or boring for Dreamers to watch.
3. The platform we danced on was a metal crate with holes, so my heels would occasionally get stuck and we both consistently had scrapes and bruises on our knees all throughout the tour. We love ourselves a good challenge though, haha!
Joshua: My favorite performance was definitely [at the] Mexico [show]! It was surreal to look out at the audience. The most challenging to me is probably ‘1 Shot’ because it requires so much energy & thrashing. It also doesn’t help that it’s placed in the later half of the show so getting through it is always a fight.
What has been the most memorable part of being on tour with DPR?
Joshua: The most memorable part is all of the days in between when we are not performing. It was all of the off days we spent together bonding while we all traveled the world. It was a beautiful moment that we all got to share outside of the stage!
Kylie: It’s hard to pinpoint one part in particular, but I would say it was ALL the in between moments. Of course we loved performing on stage each night, but it was the shared meals with the team, spending holidays together, galavanting and exploring new cities, long talks in the buses or hotel rooms, sitting side-stage during the show cheering on the band and singing along with Ian, and all those “little” moments that brought us close and made it truly feel like family. In addition, we got to experience firsthand what an incredible and loving fanbase DPR has created and were fortunate to meet so many beautiful faces all around the world through this experience.
Kylie is right—DPR has created a strong, loving fanbase that’s truly something to be proud of. They have allowed people all over the world to connect and form meaningful relationships. Social media has played a major role in bringing fans together. Many fans first met online and when the tour came around, they finally had a chance to meet in person.
One thing my experiences have taught me is that Dreamers are more than just a fandom—they’re a family. I’ve been part of many fandoms, but this one truly feels like home. What I miss most about the tour season isn’t just the music or the performers. It’s the little moments in between with my fellow Dreamers. From trading thoughtful freebies and sharing outfit compliments, to taking boba and ice cream breaks while waiting in line, it all felt so special. One friend even brought snacks and water for everyone waiting—a small act that perfectly captures the kindness and care that define this fandom. To be honest, I’m sure I would not have half of the photos I’ve taken if one Dreamer did not give me her spare camera charger. Just like any other family, we have our ups and downs, but it’s the way we show up for each other that makes it all worth it, along with our support for DPR.
To share some experiences of other Dreamers, I asked a few questions to a few of my friends:
What was the highlight of the concert for you?
Rhianna: The electricity in the room when Christian came on stage. The visuals, the sounds, the production. It really captures who he is not only as a performer, but as a creator/producer. It sent chills up my arms. Hearing ‘Welcome To The Other Side’ was an experience I’ve never had before.
Anoushka: There are two for me. Firstly, the intro to ‘Welcome To The Other Side.’ The sheer production value of that sequence alone with the lighting, the background visuals, the stage setup, the dancers… [they were] all executed so well. That is how you introduce someone of Ian’s calibre. The second one was Artic’s entire set. As someone who loves clubs and raves, this felt like a high value rave for those 20 minutes and I literally lost my voice because of it!
Avianne: [I was] shook to my core by Cream’s aura & stage presence. [I also enjoyed] screaming & jumping to ‘Escape’ during Artic’s set. [One of my favorite parts was] when a fan passed up a plushie of Lori (Ian’s dog) and Ian spun around, singing to plushie Lori during ‘Merry Go.’
How did you connect with other Dreamers? How has DPR contributed to your friendship with other Dreamers?
Avianne: I got to know so many new Dreamers who came in from different states during the hours waiting in line. I loved hearing everyone’s stories of how they became a Dreamer and the impact DPR’s artistry has had on them. I’ve met some of the most talented, caring, and hilarious people I know because of DPR. I treasure the friendships I have in the community, and I love that we lift each other up and get each other through really tough days.
Rhianna: I’ve been a casual listener for a long time, but [I] just recently joined Dreamer Twitter (X). I’ve met such amazing people. I haven’t met many in person yet, but I’m confident we will meet one day. DPR has allowed me to connect to people who understand me. [They] understand not only my struggles, but also my love for art and producing. DPR is art. And it brings people together in the best way.
Anoushka: The most fun I had was meeting other dreamers I interact with on Twitter (X)—two in particular who I now speak to regularly and meet up with every so often. We even go out for after work drinks together because we live so close. The connections I’ve made with dreamers from all corners of the planet is what I cherish most about being a part of the DPR community.
Was there a song that stood out more than others?
Anoushka: ‘Sometimes I’m’—that rock remix was fantastic! The live band in general really nailed the songs by giving them their own spins while still keeping the songs faithful to the versions we know and love. But headbanging to ‘Sometimes I’m’ is a memory I’m keeping close to me!
Avianne: Ian’s vocals during ‘Violet Crazy’ and ‘Merry Go’ had me ascending to a higher dimension.
Rhianna: My favorite song is Mood…Christian has such a great way of taking these songs and having a great beat with [so much] specific detail and meaning. It’s like the best of both worlds where I can relate to the song heavily [while] also jamming out on my own. Sometimes you just need to listen to DPR and forget everything else.
DPR is known for their visuals. Did any particular visual sequence or background projection stand out to you?
Rhianna: Everything—is this not specific enough? Sorry. There’s just so much to look at. Throughout all three sets between Cream, Artic and Ian—it was all just so well put together and connected. I like how they all have their individual sound and have amazing visuals. I really enjoyed Artic’s set, especially when he performed ‘Dream.’ I genuinely felt like I was in a slow motion part of a movie. Absolutely amazing.
Avianne: The intro VCR giving us an aerial, expansive view of the various worlds in The Other Side was gorgeous.
Anoushka: The visuals during Cream’s set were on point. I felt like they conveyed the feelings of the songs perfectly. What surprised me was how well they seemed to match the visuals his songs put in my head and the mood they brought.
For my theorists: What was racing through your head during the concert? Any “a-ha” moments?
Rhianna: I fear I’m not much of a theorist. I cried about three times and was too busy [being] amazed by the show or screaming lyrics to notice anything else. I heard some great ones online once it was over though. I just really appreciated being a part of the DPR experience and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Anoushka: ‘Daisy’ had my head in a spin when it came to theories. Can’t say I had an “a-ha” moment, but the realisation that Ian might be literally insane and that the Other Side may not be “real” at all was a revelation to me. Great song too!
Avianne: All the VCRs and the colors had my mind racing with connections to the lore, but I think I’ve gone too far down the rabbit hole that I’m just lost and unsure of anything now and just waiting for more hints and reveals.
We’re all still reeling from the tour and we cannot wait to see what DPR does next! DPR Artic, DPR Cream, and DPR Ian are all set to perform at 88Rising’s Head In The Clouds festival in May where many of us Dreamers will be reuniting.