ONE OK ROCK’s World Tour Kicks Off:”Conquering the Globe” is No Longer a Dream

After Eight Years: The Band’s Largest World Tour Kicks Off with a Highly Anticipated Setlist

On a Saturday in September, with the sounds of autumn festival music filling the air and an unseasonal warmth hanging on, around 50,000 ONE OK ROCK fans gathered at Ajinomoto Stadium. The trains were crowded with people wearing T-shirts from this tour, and as I stepped out of the station, I saw even more fans proudly displaying merchandise from previous tours, along with merch from bands like Pay Money To My Pain, a key player in Japan’s loud rock scene. It was clear that the band’s support bridged rock fans of all ages.

As we awaited the concert’s start, the venue played a wide array of music, featuring artists from Tyla and Dua Lipa to Depeche Mode, creating a welcoming atmosphere for the incoming crowd. This diverse playlist mirrored ONE OK ROCK’s artistic journey: their bold experiment with the pop album “Eye of the Storm” (2019), influenced by the American music scene, and their return to rock with “Luxury Disease” (2022).

Shortly after the scheduled start time, the entrance music faded, and a screen lit up with clips of Taka’s powerful past statements. These highlighted their pivotal moment as pioneers of a new era, challenging outdated systems that no longer suit the Reiwa era. The message to fans was unmistakable: as long as ONE OK ROCK continues to chase the dream of a Japanese band conquering the world, they must also persevere through times when hope feels distant. Taka’s passion ignited the crowd, and fists began to rise higher with every word.

As the music began to build, Toru (Gt), Ryota (Ba), and Tomoya (Dr) took their places at the back of the stage, layering their instruments in perfect sync. Then, Taka stepped forward, donning a gas mask that brought to mind The Mad Capsule Markets, and the crowd erupted. When he removed the mask, they launched into their first track, “Delusion: All.” True to Taka’s earlier words, the song challenged democracy and the status quo. All around the venue, fans linked arms, mirroring the defiant energy radiating from the band on stage.

Next in the lineup were “Ketsuraku Automation” and ”Re:make” Each song’s intro elicited cheers that grew louder than the last, as the audience’s excitement reached an all-time high, making the assigned seating feel almost unfair. Taka, noticing the crowd’s surprise at hearing songs released over ten years ago, flashed a knowing smile and greeted the audience saying, “We’re here to create fun summer memories that can compete with a fireworks festival!” The following song was “Jibun ROCK.” Though also more than a decade old, Ryota’s two crisp slap notes immediately captivated the 50,000-strong crowd, filling the air with rainbow-colored smoke. The resulting massive singalong of “Ote-te no Shiwa to Shiwa o Awasen no‼︎” was a truly breathtaking sight.

Toru, Ryota, and Tomoya each took a moment to express their excitement for the day’s performance. Their interactions conveyed that, despite the expanding number of countries they tour and the increasing scale of their shows, there’s an unwavering essence at the core of the band. This reflected the solid bond of trust among the four members as they approach their 20th anniversary next year.

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.

Taka Shares the Vision Behind ONE OK ROCK

Without losing any momentum, they continued with songs like “Take What You Want,” “Karasu,” and “Neon.” Taka calmly began to discuss the band’s mission and their aspirations on a global scale.

He stated that if everyone has a role in life, then ONE OK ROCK’s purpose is to tackle the big challenges. Among the many artists who sing about small happiness and heartbreak, as well as bands that turn insecurities into positivity, there are insights that only a Japanese band traveling the world can offer. Taka acknowledged that coming from a place where expressing thoughts is often difficult, especially in Japan where one might face criticism for speaking out, they carry the mission to voice what needs to be said with love. He declared their commitment to touring the globe and emphasized their goal of “demonstrating that a Japanese band can conquer the world.”

Additionally, Taka highlighted that the tour aimed to convey the message that “if you take action, the world can change.” He expressed his gratitude to the fans and staff, urging everyone to exceed their limits with the sentiment, “We are always one.” This smoothly led into “We are,” where the audience erupted into a powerful singalong during the chorus, a wave of sound so intense it gave everyone chills, clearly demonstrating that Taka’s message resonated.

As they moved into “Mighty Long Fall,” the entire venue united in headbanging, creating a massive surge of energy. Friends linked arms while headbanging, pulling in nearby fans and gradually amplifying the movement. By the end, the atmosphere shifted to fans high-fiving each other, no matter who was around, as the main set came to a close.

Celebrating 20 Years: A World Tour and Global Conquest

Even after the members left the stage, the excitement in the venue lingered, with voices calling for an encore transforming into a singalong of the intro to “Answer Is Near.” Shortly after, the four members of ONE OK ROCK returned to the stage. They performed a total of three songs, including the surprise debut of an unreleased new track, “Let’s Take It Someday,” alongside “Wasted Nights.” Whether it was the new song or a familiar anthem, the audience’s energy showed no signs of diminishing, reflected in the height of their raised fists throughout the set. As “Wasted Nights” drew to a close, a stunning display of fireworks erupted, as if sending off a band about to embark on a world tour, signaling the end of the opening show. After each member waved to the audience as they left the stage, Taka, the last to remain, confidently stated, “Stay tuned for the upcoing album.”

With Oasis’s reunion tour on the horizon for 2025, it looks set to be another year where rock music takes center stage. In Japan, as this momentous year approaches, we have ONE OK ROCK, a band celebrating its 20th anniversary and dedicated to the mission of conquering the world with their ever-evolving sound.

The tour title “Premonition” carries a powerful sense of something imminent, hinting at a restless energy beneath the surface. ONE OK ROCK, with their global presence, surely understands the weight of the word. As they launch their world tour and prepare to release a new album, the band is charging ahead, and it’s impossible not to anticipate their next bold move on the international stage.