INDEX
Opening with “Pacific” Followed by an Unreleased Track
True to the meaning behind their name, Suchmos has been a pioneer, carving out a new path in Japan’s music scene. Before their rise, the rock festival scene was dominated by a “four-on-the-floor rock boom,” while the pop charts were filled with AKB Group and Johnny’s idols—both worlds felt musically one-dimensional. Suchmos emerged as a counterpoint, blending rock with jazz, hip-hop, and soul. Their music being embraced as pop helped bring much-needed diversity to the domestic music scene. It’s safe to say that much of the music heard today is influenced by the path they forged.
Because of their unique presence, ‘Suchmos The Blow Your Mind 2025’ saw an overwhelming 200,000 ticket applications. Not only longtime fans but also people who discovered Suchmos during their hiatus, or younger listeners who missed live shows because they were still in elementary or middle school at the time, were all eager to see them live.
With such high expectations for their first performance in five years, the opening song was “Pacific.” This track dates back to the band’s earliest days—before Kaiki Ohara, TAIHEI, and TAIKING officially joined—and features the lyric “Don’t stop music.” TAIHEI’s piano rang out beautifully, and OK’s drums struck crisply and clearly. As YONCE began to sing under a dazzling backlight, Suchmos’ world expanded instantly, and the venue, packed with swaying fans, looked like rolling waves.
Later, YONCE reflected on this moment: “I was joking around right up until I stepped on stage. The moment I stood there, I realized how foolish I’d been. From the very first note, I painfully felt the reality that we had kept such important people waiting, and that so many years had passed without them having the chance to see us.”
The second song was a brand-new track called “Eye to Eye,” from the upcoming EP ‘Sunburst,’ set to release on July 2. By this point, it was clear the show was not about nostalgia or looking back but about expressing Suchmos’ present—and simply delivering great music that they themselves were enjoying and sharing with the audience.
While singing “Eye to Eye,” YONCE clapped his hands in front of the stand microphone—not as a typical call for the crowd to join in or to guide them through an unfamiliar song, but simply because he was naturally moving with the music. Delivering cool, straightforward music. Enjoying the music themselves first. Respecting each individual’s freedom. This is Suchmos. During the MC afterward, YONCE even invited the audience, saying, “We’re enjoying ourselves, so feel free to do the same.”
Next came “DUMBO,” a song that repeatedly declares, “Amateurs and pros are no different,” showcasing both Suchmos’ rebellious spirit and TAIKING’s guitar heroics. This live performance after five and a half years reaffirmed that Suchmos is a band that creates iconic riffs on bass, guitar, and piano alike. Meanwhile, OK silently drives the groove of the show, and Kaiki Ohara’s DJ work not only adds depth to the sound but also mixes in elements that highlight YONCE’s vocals with the utmost respect.
Their signature hit “STAY TUNE” was performed early as the fourth song. The band then transitioned into “808,” with green lasers cutting through the air as YONCE shouted, “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce! On bass, Ren Yamamoto!” Filling in for HSU on bass was Ren Yamamoto, a longtime friend who also studied jazz at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music just like HSU. Now active as a bassist in the band LAGHEADS, Ren works across countless genres including jazz and pop. After the show, during a brief conversation with some of the members, TAIHEI smiled and told me, “Ren’s DNA is the same as ours — his height, even the way he smokes, it’s just like Shunta (HSU).” I wanted to share that with everyone here.
