BTS returned to the iHeartRadio Music Festival stage and closed the first night in Las Vegas with one of the most anticipated performances of the weekend.
But after the show, fans were talking about more than just the music.
BTS performed only four songs — and that surprisingly short set quickly became part of the conversation online.
BTS Returned to iHeartRadio After Six Years
BTS performed at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 18, closing the first night of the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival.
The group opened with “SWIM,” the lead single from their latest album ARIRANG, before performing “2.0,” “MIC DROP” and “FYA.”
It was a notable return to the festival after BTS participated in the 2020 edition during the pandemic era.
And this time, all seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — were back together on the American festival stage.
The Performance Was Short — But That Became the Story
Four songs.
For one of the most anticipated artists on the lineup, some fans felt that was surprisingly brief.
On Reddit, several viewers said the ending felt abrupt and questioned why BTS did not receive a longer set. Others complained that the broadcast sound mix sometimes made the music overpower the members’ vocals.
But there was another side to the discussion.
Some fans pointed out that a four-song set had already been indicated before the performance and argued that it was unfair to assume the festival had suddenly cut BTS short.
In other words, the debate was not really about whether BTS performed well.
It was about whether four songs felt like enough.
Why No “Dynamite” or “Butter”?
There was another surprise.
BTS did not finish with two of their biggest U.S. hits, “Dynamite” or “Butter.”
Instead, their set focused on their current era while also bringing back the explosive energy of “MIC DROP.”
That choice also sparked discussion among fans. Some expected a major American radio festival to feature the English-language hits most familiar to casual U.S. listeners, while others argued that BTS has plenty of signature songs beyond “Dynamite” and “Butter.”
That may be the more interesting part of this performance.
BTS did not return simply to replay their biggest hits from several years ago.
They returned with new music.
Four Songs Were Enough to Start a Much Bigger Conversation
The festival featured a broad lineup including Cardi B, Weezer, Kenny Chesney, Zara Larsson and other major artists. BTS nevertheless entered the weekend as one of its most closely watched performers.
And the reaction after their performance showed why.
Fans debated the set length.
They debated the sound.
They debated the song choices.
And they debated whether BTS should have performed longer.
Perhaps the biggest story was not that BTS performed only four songs.
It was that four songs were enough to leave fans wanting much more.
What do you think? Would you have preferred a longer BTS set — and which song should they have added?