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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2019 20:23:47 GMT
Fans of all ages and backgrounds attended the concert. Waiting in line, one young girl cosplays as Su-metal. Inside near a support beam, a father has his son sitting upon his shoulders. One attendee in line for merch had seen BABYMETAL last year and was unsure if he would make it this time, but he saved up for a ticket and made the trip. Some concertgoers were long-time “kitsune” (the self-described term for fans of the band). While others were scratching the surface of the “kawaii” metal band. Getting the festivities started, the opening act was Swedish metal band Avatar. They warmed up the crowd, shared a few laughs, and thanked the headliner for the tour. The performance was heavy with motifs of a demonic circus while looking tough in their military-style uniforms. Yet, the lead singer was a charismatic showman complete with a top hat, cane, and a waxy painted face. The 26,000 square foot venue was filled to the brim, and when the lights went down for the main act, the audience roared. The stage lit up once again and the Kami band fired up with the first song of the night, Megitsune. Marching in from the back to the front, there is Su-metal, Moa-metal, and tonight’s avenger, Momoko Okazaki. As the show got going, the center of the crowd opens up and fans thrash in a mosh pit. Yet, the audience tempo seemed to slow down when they played their recently released single Shanti Shanti Shanti. In India, “shanti” means “peace” and this bouncy number mellowed out the crowd. But only until the momentum got going again as fans jumped for the viral hit Gimme Chocolate!! And that treat fed the next food inspired hit, PA PA YA!! Keeping the energy up and the fans dancing most of the night. Finally, Su-metal takes the spotlight to begin The One with Moa-metal and Momoko joining her in harmony as the band plays and fans light up the venue with cell phone flashlights and lighters. The final crescendo booms and flags fly for Road of Resistance. Fans chant over and over “BABYMETAL”, but the house lights come up and the show moves on to the next stop of the tour.
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Post by Admin on Oct 1, 2019 19:36:15 GMT
Metal can be an intimidating genre of music to dabble in for most. On the surface level, metal bands can be seen as intense, loud, and maybe something geared towards a niche group of listeners. However, that was proven to be wrong for the Japanese “kawaii metal” band BABYMETAL and the diverse audience who gathered to see them perform at their packed concert at the Aragon Ballroom, the band’s biggest Chicago show to date. A prominent band with a global fanbase to boot, BABYMETAL has quickly made a name for themselves with their catchy and viral hits. The vast and varied group of fans gathered at the venue was a testament to their widespread popularity. BABYMETAL combines the cute visual and vocals of a Japanese idol group and the sound and aesthetic of a metal band, mixing the two contrasting styles to create a one of a kind genre and experience. The group is not at all new to touring the States. In addition to performing their own U.S. headlining shows, BABYMETAL has toured with and opened for renown bands including Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses. They’ve been acknowledged time and time again as talented and authentic musicians. That talent was evident at the Aragon Ballroom. The group, mainly consisting of Su-Metal, Moametal, and a third rotating supporting dancer, brought forth their all, flaunting their unique, flavorful blend of pop and metal at their show. BABYMETAL opened their set with the three members walking onto stage donning fox masks, leading into a performance of “Megitsune” from their first album. The song incorporated the melody from “Sakura Sakura,” a traditional Japanese folk tune. Joined together with heavy guitar riffs and drums, Su-Metal’s bright and powerful voice resounded throughout the venue. It was the perfect introduction to the group’s singular style. The performance was followed up with an English version of “Elevator Girl,” and then their latest single “Shanti Shanti Shanti.” The trio performed with unwavering stamina and an extraordinary stage presence throughout their whole set, but especially during the dance and movement-heavy “Pa Pa Ya!!,” “Gimme Chocolate!!,” and “KARATE.” The blend of Su-Metal’s steady voice, the members’ impressively synchronized choreography, and their easy interaction with the crowd exhibited a level of skill and prowess beyond their years. Seeing fans of all ages and backgrounds connecting with the band and their music and energy despite the language or genre showed that metal is in fact more inclusive and welcoming that one might expect.
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Post by Admin on Oct 2, 2019 18:07:16 GMT
I’m still recovering from Japanese heavy metal band BABYMETAL’s recent stop through Chicago at the Aragon Ballroom on September 20. As a person who prides herself on doing cardio and a veteran of the Jane Fonda Workout, no one can accuse the three young ladies in the group of not producing an energetic dance performance. For more than an hour, the girls (backed by four other equally hard-driving musicians, known as the Kami Band) packed an aerobic punch, rounded out by lead singer Su-metal’s Disney-pop vocals. She could easily stand in for Elsa in “Let It Go.” The band rarely paused to rest in between songs or slowed song tempos to less than breakneck speed, except when performing the ballad “THE ONE.” The audience was primed by the time the opening chords to “Megitsune” strummed, so that when the announcer asked “Are you all ready to head bang?” they screamed a resounding yes(!). Despite the choreography—a cross between cheerleader stance, martial arts (especially during “KARATE”) and Oops-I-Did-It-Again-era Britney Spears—belying any dance moves associated with traditional head-banging, the audience remained engaged throughout even when Su-metal sang in her native language. Set List 1. Megitsune 2. Elevator Girl 3. Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (new song) 4. Kagerou (new song) 5. Starlight 6. Gimme Chocolate!! 7. PA PA YA!! 8. Distortion (new song) 9. KARATE 10. Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!! 11. THE ONE 12. Road of Resistance
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Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2019 18:45:56 GMT
In one way or another, bands have always been considered to be ‘brands’. Ever since some bright spark thought to buy in on the burgeoning hype of Beatlemania in the ‘60s, music and merchandise have been intrinsically intertwined to the extent that some aren’t sure whether The Ramones are a punk group or a T-shirt logo.
Babymetal, however, take things to a whole new level. The enigmatic Japanese idol group, formed in 2010 by talent agency Amuse Inc. and fronted by vocalists Su-Metal and Moametal, are so paradoxical that even the most seasoned of industry veterans don’t know what to think of them. Drawing heavily on the Japanese phenom of kawaii, or ‘cute culture’, the band’s choreographed dance routines and matching frocks are contrasted bone-crushing riffs and thunderous blast beats to create a truly unique, somewhat feverish musical experience. They’ve made history as one of the most successful Japanese bands on the charts overseas, and despite being part of an idol girl group essentially manufactured by a talent agency, much like One Direction or Backstreet Boys, they’re widely embraced by the metal community. The band is entirely fabricated, kitsch and preposterous, yet simultaneously groundbreaking; flipping the norms of gender and race in music right on its head, all in the name of metal. The whole thing is simply baffling – but fucking awesome.
After releasing two records, 2014’s self-titled debut and 2016’s Metal Resistance and touring internationally with the likes of Lady Gaga, Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Babymetal are looking to the stars to release the third chapter of their story this October with Metal Galaxy. While the band are obviously experienced when blending genre, Metal Galaxy sees Babymetal toying with drum ‘n bass, bubblegum pop, jazz and hip-hop – often all within the space of a single song.
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2019 18:15:10 GMT
Having immediately sold out their upcoming Saitama and Osaka arena concerts, Japan's BABYMETAL announced two additional dates at Chiba's Makuhari Messe set for early next year. The shows are part of the Japan leg of Su-metal and Moametal's METAL GALAXY world tour promoting the new studio album by the same name. The two added dates are entitled LEGEND - METAL GALAXY and will take place Jan. 25 and 26, 2020. The key visuals for the additional dates feature the Sun and Moon -- motifs of the Japan-only limited first edition of the upcoming album -- apparently allotted separately to each date, suggesting a differently themed stage production for each.
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