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ONE OK ROCK’s Bold Stadium Rock for Global Conquest
As the sun fully set over the stadium, the lighting intensified, enhancing the grand atmosphere characteristic of a stadium live performance. Correspondingly, the setlist transitioned to more recent songs, including “Decision,” “Renegades,” and “Wonder.” The powerful singalongs and beautifully majestic guitar riffs resonated through the calm night sky. In stark contrast to the high-energy tracks that kicked off the concert under the fading light, these were truly large-scale rock anthems fit for a stadium. I couldn’t help but admire the sheer number of iconic tracks from ONE OK ROCK, reflecting on the journey from their first album, “Zetaku Byou” (2007), to their latest, “Luxury Disease.”
In today’s music scene, where numerous artists perform in stadiums and domes both in Japan and abroad, ONE OK ROCK offered a refreshing take on primitive stadium rock. With no catwalks or trolleys, the stage was remarkably simple, showcasing the band’s array of stadium-worthy songs and the four members delivering them. As Taka noted, this was a space solely for shouting, dancing, and enjoying drinks. In a world overflowing with gimmicks, could there be a more straightforward and clear experience?
As the concert reached its midpoint, following the intense tracks “Kimi Shidai Ressha” and “Make It Out Alive,” they performed “Wherever You Are.” Savoring the moment, Taka commented, “The breeze feels nice,” and shared that the song had been unexpectedly adapted to an acoustic version due to the clear night sky and pleasant wind he had felt during the previous day’s rehearsal. Spontaneously, the audience lit up the venue with their smartphone lights, completely captivated by Taka’s vocals and Toru’s acoustic guitar.
