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Many things in life are questioned. Why did Issac Newton sit under the tree that helped us learn about gravity? Why did Einstein want to learn about relative theory? How do magnets work? One of the most important questions:
How did something like Babymetal survive all the hate that they initially received?
For this band that many called a disgrace to metal to not only survive since their beginning, but flourish… it’s always been something that I’ve been fascinated with. I have been a fan of Babymetal since 2015/2016. I started watching their videos, and just kind of in awe at the crazy amount of visual overload, and musically their sound was unlike anything I had ever heard of. Skip forward to 2024. I have traveled the world, learned Japanese (partly in thanks to Babymetal themselves), even lived in Japan. I still to this day love watching Babymetal live. Their concerts while unlike ICP and most concerts that I frequently travel to see are a different style of sensory overload.
You have the Kami Band: A band behind the girls that are playing some of the heaviest music you can hear, and do it very well. Adorning masks of steel, and wearing clothes to mimic something out of an old Japanese folklore book they manage to pump out the metal for what everyone assumes is a heavy metal show of the ages.
Then out walks the trio of Su-Metal, Moa-Metal, and Momo-Metal. The 3 girls who lead this parade of madness and fun.
(Center). Su-Metal: Vocals, and Dance
(Right). Moa-Metal: Scream, and Dance
(Left) Momo-Metal: Scream, and Dance
This time I went to The Filmore in Charlotte NC to witness the craziness that is Babymetal.
The trip for me in around 2 hours give or take. I have seen them at this exact same venue countless times, the most recent being in 2018. The venue itself has a very nice atmosphere. 3 levels to this music hall. the pit in front of the stage, a mid level which is just up 2 or 3 small steps, and then up another 2-3 steps is the top level, which is also where their merch is located. Babymetal have been known to put out droves of merch for people so I wasn’t shocked to see shirts, posters, cd’s and such for sale… 2 things that did catch my eye’s were that: 1. I didn’t see any vinyl records, and I was shocked to see they actually have Babymetal jerseys now! Super dope!
The supporting act for this tour was an act called “Scene Queen” Female lead 3 piece, Female singer, male drummer and male guitarist. Their songs were not something I was familiar with. Violent Barbie and Ken style lyrics and style were the bands forte from what I’ve gathered. The singer went on to promote gay pride, inclusivity, and more while going on to denounce misogyny, hate and division. That wins me over. We could use less hate and division everywhere.
I met some fans that had traveled from Japan to follow the tour. I introduced myself, and spoke to them in Japanese and they were surprised (I’ve gotten used to that at this point haha) we spoke about baby metal and I even joked with them about my Japanese level. So much fun.
It was a very simple 30 ish minutes opening act, and then straight to the headliner Babymetal. I was standing next to stage left entrance at the bar and I happened to see a familiar face. I ran into someone who many juggalos know. I ran into Dustin Twiztid’s security, and touring guru. In what is now becoming a running joke since I’ve been back from Japan I walked up and was like “Dustin? What the hell are you doing in Charlotte?!” (I also did this when he was out working for Tech N9ne in Denver Colorado). We chatted for a while, talked about me moving back from Japan and his recent work. Always great catching up with him. After that I finished my drink, and walked back over to get ready to photograph a band that I have actually wanted to photograph for many years but never had the chance.
Babymetal took the stage and unlike most concerts I didn’t get to photograph the first 3 songs. The band gave me song 5,6,7,8,9 to photograph. I was over the damn moon. Su-Metal has a voice that can command a crowd unlike any band I’ve ever seen. Strange with it coming out of such a small frame. They had fun with the audience. Before I knew it, I was being ushered into the photo pit for our 5 song long photo op.
I being a photographer was excited to photograph them, but as a Babymetal fan… This was amazing. Front row to a band who I’ve enjoyed singing along to for years. The songs we got to shoot were fun, powerful and even a little silly.
Starting off we got a solo by the Kami Band. Each taking turns showing off their abundance of skills at each instrument, before the familiar tune of “Metali” kicked in. This is a play on words of the Japanese word Matsuri meaning “festival”. It absolutely felt like a metal festival, a Metali if you will.
The girls with their high energy dancing, chanting, and screaming made for an amazing sight through my view finder. I’m hoping the rest of the setlist goes just like this. We get through the next couple songs, then there is a break where the girls run off stage, and on the large screen behind them the letters Fu Fu (this is correlated back to chanting, often used during karaoke in Japan and sounding more like HOO HOO). This was the beginning of the song “RaTaTaTa” This song became #1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock list when it came out. The crowd went wild for this with it being one of their biggest hits now.
The crowd was electric during this song (did you know this song was a collaboration with the band “Electric Callboy”?)and kept the energy going for the rest of the show. Before I knew it my time in the photo pit was over and I headed to the back next to the merch booth to enjoy the rest of the show. They ended the show, and the crowd kept saying “BABYMETAL” until the purple lights hit and they came back out to do a 2 song encore.
“Gimme Chocolate” being probably the song that everyone knows by them, was one of the encore songs. Closing out the show with Road of Resistance, was a normal ending for the show. So much dancing and energy for that song that I’m surprised they can even walk once it is done.
All in all I’m thankful for the chance I was given to photograph the band, and show. I hope you will give them a chance and go see them when they come to a venue near you. If there is one thing that Babymetal has taught me is that you know nothing about this band and “Only The Fox God Knows” their next path.
I hope you juggalos reading and anyone else enjoyed this review of something we don’t normally cover on this site. I hope I can continue bringing you guys awesome unique reviews and photos!
BABYMETAL is on Tour now!
| 2024 |  New York, USA |
Terminal 5 | |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Added 2nd date | ||
| Nov 21, 2024 | Bethlehem, USA |
Wind Star Creek Event Center | |
| Nov 23, 2024 | Cincinnati, USA |
Andrew J. Brady Music Center | |
| Nov 24, 2024 | Madison, USA |
The Sylvee | |
| Nov 26, 2024 | Indianapolis, USA |
Egyptian Room | |
| Nov 27, 2024 | Des Moines, USA |
Vibrant | |
| Nov 29, 2024 | Oklahoma City, USA |
Criterion Ballroom | |
| Nov 30, 2024 | Albuquerque, USA |
Revel | |
| Dec 3, 2024 | Anaheim, USA |
House of Blues | |
| Dec 4, 2024 | Added 2nd date | ||
| Dec 5, 2024 | Added 3rd date |
Until next time.
SEE YOU!!
-Hanka
from Faygoluvers
