皆さんの日本語のコメントありがとうございます。 貴重な意見なので、これまでのものは一応英語にしてヘッジーさんに送ってあります（今後も全部はできないと思いますが、可能な範囲で）。 Thanks for your comments in Japanese. I have translated and sent to Hedgy for his reference the ones we've got so far.

I have seen BM 4 times in February (Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen and London) and will see them again in Utrecht in the Netherlands. These have been the best days of this month, just meeting other fans (kitsunes) has been epic. And the BM concerts have been fantastic. If everything goes according to plan, I should also see them in Spain, both Madrid and Barcelona.

Well done, Hedgy....enjoyed your description/review of the concert, sounded like a good time!

Very nice review, very spot on.

I was just off the barrier front left, Momoko side for Manchester and Cardiff and I think up front is where you need to be for a BabyMetal show. They are constantly scanning the crowd making eye contact, smiling and making small gestures so there's plenty of localised crowd interaction along with the few set-piece crowd interaction sections. I agree that 60 minutes is at least 20 minutes too short and the detachment of the Kamis is a mistake that they will probably rectify at some point. A BabyMetal show invites you to get involved and diving in head first is the best way to enjoy it.

You sir are definitely worthy of the Family badge🤘🏼 Great review, pure and honest. Saw them live, with @justpanda, at Tilburg 013...we were at the barrier. Amazing concert...just magical, but yes I wished it was a bit longer. Now waiting for June to see them again

I was at the Manchester show an did i vid on my channel with footage of the show, im glad i was down stairs as the push when BxMxC was on was amazing, but i totally agree about the girls being to far back to interact but when Moa came our way man that place was rocking!

I just want to say, thank you for using your "reviewer mode", it's why I like this channel, while most react channels just annoy me. And I'm so jealous, I missed BABYMETAL last time they were in NYC and still am disappointed with myself for it

Excellent review Hedgy, thanks - and I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as you did (despite your very valid criticisms of the staging). I saw them at Hammersmith and I too was in the balcony so I guess my experience was similar to yours. It is a slightly bigger venue though, so we did have pyro filling some of the empty spaces that you had in Manchester, so that wasn't such an issue. I will say I think the girls all came to the front of stage more than a couple of times at Hammersmith and even from where I was I could see them interacting with the people downstairs, smiling, waving and making eye contact - Moa and Momoko were clearly making every effort to do that whenever the choreo allowed for it. My only gripe was that from where I was there was a strip of lighting right below the huge screen that was dazzlingly bright and the angle I was at had that pretty much slicing the girls in half when they were centre stage and when the strip was completely lit, so I couldn't always see exactly what they were doing. That aside I had a great time and all the good things you said I completely agree with (likewise most of your criticisms). I was waiting for BxMxC ... I got the Japanese edition of the CD ... it - and Su - really didn't disappoint.

Junichiさんお疲れ様でした。ありがとうございます。

Glad to hear you had great time🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

この人はいつも冷静で的確な意見＼(^_^)／しかも前向きで建設的！レベルの高いレビューありがとう＼(^_^)／

Uhh it's so nice to hear they sound so great. I can only imagine because I'll probably never see them live. But I'm glad they put on a great show. Even with their issues in the show you mention which I agree!! Thanks for your review! It's really good to hear from your experience. Thb if I ever saw them live I would be that 8yr old girl lol I love them so much and I'm such a fangirl

Retrospectively i watched your Ningen Isu and Babymetal reviews and i absolutely understand where you coming from. I review games professionally for few years now and i am always trying to be as objective as i possibly can. I am critical about things that many might not be bothered with but i just poiting them out. Same with the music. I listened/watched so much music and concersts, i played so many games that i am instinctively analytical about those things.

Good review, Hedgy. I don't think you'll get many (if any) fans disagreeing with you, especially about the length of the show. It's a bone of contention. There's no reason at all not to do at least 90 minutes. As you say, they're athletes and it's not like they don't have an extensive back catalogue. Regarding the lack of interaction with the Kamis, well yeah, it has to be a very special event for them to interact at all (the Rob Halford collaboration is the only time that springs to mind). The Japanese Kamis used to interact with the crowd, but for the band they had on tour, with the masks on, I don't see how they can? They're just there to play the music. I never thought how it must look to people in the balcony, so that was very interesting. When I saw them I was right at the front. It didn't seem like the girls didn't come over to interact with us, but maybe because I've watched so many of their concerts that I know at what point the choreography breaks to let them come over. I expect it at certain points and not at other times. They have set pieces where they interact with the crowd, just as the crowd have set pieces that we perform back at them (certain lines of the songs, chants etc). To a more casual fan it may seem like they don't interact much, don't move about freely etc, but I think to more die-hard fans, we know what to expect and when to expect it?

Love the concert review, definitely keen to see more of this style of video from you. Great job!

Nice review as always and am glad that you finally had the opportunity to see them live. Agree with you on their performance time, which has been shorten since Yui left. I'm all ok with girls' current performance time, but Koba could have used more/longer storytelling animation videos and counted on Kami Band's help with their solo playing.

I read in the comments of another review that you were there, too, so I wondered whether we‘d hear from you. Glad we did! I was at their show in Cologne, which was smaller than Manchester (I think a little less than 2000), and I was in the first row to the right side. I was actually surprised how often I saw Riho or Moa right in front of us at the edge of the stage. It was probably due to the smaller stage, I guess. But I would also argue that the girls just don’t have the time to come to the front to interact, they are bound to their choreography 98% of the time. So it’s not just about the layout of the stage, it’s a result if the whole concept as well, I think. I absolutely agree about BxMxC (which is only on the Japanese version of the album, along with ↑↓←→BBAB)! When I heard this song on the album, I was absolutely convinced that we would never see this live. But Su just came and did it! And she absolutely nails it! I am so impressed, I cant put it into words. She even looks the part doing it! Edit: Another thought that just came to my mind about the stage issue that I‘d like to add: When they are doing those really big shows in stadiums or arenas, they usually have quite elaborate stage designs (have you seen Legend S?). It‘s a completely different thing again. So perhaps the issue you mentioned really only exists on medium sized stages?

1st time here. Well done sir. Fair review with points that were I believe honestly made. I envy you being able to see these young ladies and their band.

I have recently discovered this channel. I knew Baby Metal by name, but it's only in the last few months that I've heard the actual sound, and I think I've been successfully hooked lol! I've listened to a lot of different genres, but I think it's a new form of metal. Kingslayer" was also great. And I've been looking forward to your concert reviews.

Absolutely spot on review. I say this because of the fact that I’ve been just watching KZfaq videos of them from here in India, and I’ve had exactly the same opinion, even before your review. So I guess your position/ location in the audience doesn’t matter after all. I would just wish the script writers of this show (your description of the band as a show is spot on too IMO) would acknowledge these positives and slight negatives coming their way from all around the globe, and let them be free a little more, and maybe let each performance have a unique ‘vibe’ of its own. This would probably make them a more ‘real’ band in the traditional sense. Just my two cents. Here’s hoping this group becomes even more of a phenomenon and breaks free from the hyper choreographed stuff, which isn’t bad per se, but after all, we’re only human. Change should be the only constant. Cheers to good music.

Great review! At the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, the stage is fairly short so they ended up pretty close to the front. When I did see them, I have to admit that I was not quite adjusted to the new album sufficiently and exactly half of the song list was new songs which left me craving "the old hits". That mixed with the Masked Kamis and missing Yui I was having a hard time adjusting. Now I would definitely go see them again.

Thank you. Indeed, this is a very convincing review of first impression of the gig of BABYMETAL at a venue of thousands capacity. I am a Japanese, I went to Manchester and London gig from Japan and watched both performances at the center of front barrier. I have watched more than 50 performances of BABYMETAL at venues of various sizes and music festivals since early 2015, so I was already used to their production and I can only see the good parts. However, your impression of the stage composition, production, and performance time are exactly the same as what I felt from the beginning. When they started, they were still children, their shows were all controlled by the producer who called FOX GOD, and they had very little freedom on stage. However, with their growth, the communication with the audience gradually improved so I hope it will be better in the near future! And Manchester, London's wonderful sound! I said “what a wonderful sound, thank you!” to the PA staff after these shows :)

I happened to find a "ground-level" fan cam of the show you were at and from that angle, yes, it's a spectacle (search for "Babymetal Manchester Apollo"). I only checked out BxMxC - Su killed it and there was some interaction as one of them approached the edge (which had a noticeable effect on that section) near the end of the song. I'll end up watching the thing in its entirety later, but it's tough with fan cams because while that "wall of sound" is glorious for the music-loving human body, it's hell on cell phone mics. Appreciate the review - those are valid criticisms. I only got into BM just recently and I've been kicking myself because they were actually in my city in 2015 and 2018 for a big festival and I missed out.

Great, Hedgy! You liked BxMxC. I'm interested in your concert review by two of you and Paz together as well.

僕が初めて行ったBABYMETALのライブは2015年の幕張メッセでしたが、巨大で全て平場で後方だったため、３人は遠く豆粒のようでほとんど見えず終始意味のない圧縮とモッシュで最悪でした。 その年の暮れに行ったCDJフェスでは３人はわずか４ｍのところにいました。 だた、どちらも音は最高でしたね。

I was in the circle at the Manchester gig and I see what you mean about all the empty space on stage but to tell you the truth, the combination of the light show, big screen and me concentrating so much on the girls themselves it really didn't bother me. The sound in the circle is amazing and as you said the band didn't disappoint in that department, I'll have to agree that Su's vocals on BMC blew me away as well (having listened to the track on KZfaq beforehand I wondered if it was effects done in the recording studio on her vocals but she nailed it live). The show as a whole was fantastic but I'll agree at an hour long it was was too short, would I go and see them again if I knew they would be on stage for only an hour. Without a doubt yes.

I was in Row T in the Circle at The Apollo. I agree about the staging, but that's probably just the nature of the building design. I agree that BxMxC was an immense surprise.

I have no problem with your critical points. Kobe and the management have always had too tight a grip on the girls for many of us. I can understand it was neccesary when they were still young. In the shows in the big arenas the stage layout is very different with scenery and moving stages etc so the view from above is still spectacular. I guess they haven't adapted their current show to small stages very well. When they played in Australia at the Good Things festival they didn't have a big show with the video screen and they used the stage space to it's fullest, Moa and Saya came right out onto the wings of the stage to make eye contact with people a few times. This current show format is very tied to the video effects. It worked beautifully at the shows in Japan last month. I was right next to the stage for the first show and at the back center in the raised seating for the second show and both looked amazing. I think this show is a bit hard to re-jig for a small venue. But you had a great time and that's really all that matters.

翻訳が待ち遠しい😆‼️

これは視線角度の問題かな。東京ドームや大阪城ホールの上の席から観たときもステージデザインに特に不満は感じなかったけど、欧州はオペラハウスのような造りのホールが多いからなあ。俯角が大きすぎるんだよね。私はスペースデザインの仕事もするんだけど、水平360°の見え方に気を配っても、上下から見ても完璧なデザインはホントに難しい。でも言ってる事はわかる。ツアー全部の会場それぞれにカスタムするのは無理にしても、ちょっとした発想の転換とかさ。例えばネット状のLEDスクリーンをステージの床に貼って映像を映すとか上からプロジェクターを使うとか。でも今年の演出は全体的に４、５年前に比べて随分進化してるよね。

I had similar experience when I went to The Forum in last October at Inglewood, CA. My seat was at 2nd floor near the left side of the stage. The huge screen was partially blocked by the big speaker hanging from the ceiling, and I was watching the entire show from the side. Like you mentioned, I had to watch the screen, the band, and 3 ladies separately during the show. It was tougher to watch everything when stage with 3 ladies moved forward. But... here's my thought after the show. I was able to view the show in different viewing angle other than straight ahead like MV, and I also enjoyed watching crowds in the pit. If this was my first Babymetal show to watch live, I might be a little disappointed like you. Fortunately, I went to live show in San Francisco just a week ago and I was in front of the stage. That might helped me thinking little different about the Forum show. And of course, I want to watch the live show again like you!

I was there!! Great concert 👌👌👌

今回も舞台にジュースや黒い布（タオルか洋服？）を投げられたりしてたから、私は前方に空間があるのは彼女たちの安全には良いと思いました。ガードの男性が舞台の前に立ってくれてますけどね。ただ、上から見てしらけてしまうような構成は残念ですね。残得んな席として上をもっと安くするとか…。でも、ヘッジさんがまたすぐに見たくなるようなライヴで良かったです。

I think the reason for the band staging is because they had an entirely western band - Anthony Barone was the drummer if I believe. So they wanted to keep them in the dark as they weren't the regular Japanese band ;) But I completely agree about the huge empty space - in the London show they had flame machines and pyro, and they also weren't blocked off like that, but it was certainly very bare in Manchester. It seemed like a one-off thing and i'm not really sure why they didn't use the space :(

Great analysis. Very well observed. I watched a Mötorhead concert years ago, at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo-Brazil (1989). I remember being quite bored, although the sound quality was great. Top view is really a big problem. The Babymetal concert architect seems to have assimilated his analysis. In the song Pa Pa Ya, the choreography seems to have extended to the entire stage area and not concentrated on the proscenium. As heavy metal shows have transformed and become great shows, the parameters need to change as well. The tradition of the Italian stage perspective is no longer sufficient, as concerts are currently held in large stadiums and the spectator's point of view is from above as well as below. In the case of Babymetal, a 360º and moving view is undoubtedly necessary.

I have now seen BABYMETAL 4 times in various venues (including flying 600 miles to Los Angeles TWICE) and I have exactly ZERO complaints. As far as the stage setup, I believe that they take the same measurements for layout at every venue simply because the girls have to be able to hit their marks. Those marks (because of the choreography) CAN'T be changed. Basically the only difference is how wide they set up the band. The only time the marks really change are at the giant Japan shows where they work for weeks to get everything perfect. Even at the Forum show in LA, they were confined to their little octagon stage for the whole show. Also, the relationship to the back of the stage may have to do with the girls between songs going to their "tables" to get drinks, wipe the sweat, etc. Obviously there are a lot of logistics involved in such a show and it isn't going to be perfect for everyone...Great badge BTW....I designed it...LOL

lovely stuff

Some people who were queuing around London Apollo talked about you, and were looking forward to watching your reviews of Babymetal, and I was too. Finally!!

Might be interesting to know Babymetal at Manchester was the exception when talking about the location of the girls and band on the stage. The big gap at the front didn't exist at a lot of other shows. They played at the London Eventim Apollo the next day and they did have some pyro there. So maybe they did have the same stage set up but no pyro in Manchester thus it created an empty space. You are correct when down stairs, especially when you are at the barrier you can see them interacting with the crowd and even the band, but most of it's all by smiles and eye sight. The length of the show is the usual thing people complain about it and just from what people want: they could play 2 hours and people would still want more. But yes, value for moneywise it's a bit strange choice. Da Da Dance as the 'opening song', I know exactly what you mean. It's a pretty poppy song to begin with. :-) Babymetal has been getting some newer band members to play live with them and those guys have slowly been getting more and more lively while performing. Just like the girls who are filling in for what used to be Yuimetal's dancing part. BMC is a banger, when I first saw a crappy fancam of Su-metal doing it I was amazed how she could do all that too. Well, still am amazed LOL Only thing I could be critical about your review: you repeated some things a bunch of times. Which is fine, but maybe a bit to often. Not yet annoying, just noticeable.

今のところ、今回のヨーロッパツアーもロシアのモスクワを残すのみとなっていますが、ファンカムで全てのライブを見ています。他の会場ではステージがそもそも小さかったからか感じなかったのですが、確かにマンチェスターではステージの前方に大きな空間があって、あれ？って感じたのを記憶しています。そうであっても、もし、神バンドのソロが１曲でもあって、神バンドがステージの前方に出てくることがあれば、印象も全く違うはずだし、ほんの少しでも女の子達も休憩できるはずなんです。今はマスクをつけているので、バンドの表情も見えないし、遠慮しているのか、そもそも西神バンドはアクションも少ないです。大神なんかはよく観客をあおってましたよね。大人の事情でマスクをしているのか期間限定なのか分かりませんが、コバメタルには今後改善をして欲しい部分です。

Was on ground floor near cloakroom at front, only issue I had was the speakers at front obstructed view of them at times, still really enjoyed it, didn't notice the length as felt longer to me, was actually shocked when saw time after, although kinda work in our favour for getting home 😅 definitely will see them again

I think that your opinion is correct. You're a good fan, Hedgy!

Glasgow was all standing (900 capacity) and I have to say it didn't feel impersonal at all, but the Barrowlands stage is small so the girls pretty much filled the space. Maybe the problem is that the show is what it is and designed to fit the smaller venues. It WAS too short (to be fair for me 5 hours wouldn't be enough) but totally agree that even for someone long in the tooth they are definately a band to see live. Full of energy, smiles and the audience had an absolute blast. "Everybody bounce".

Thank you for your fun and honest feedback.

I saw them in the US on the last tour as well as previously, and I think the setlist let you down some. When I saw them they played the One, which is not my favorite song, but the first half of the song was just Su alone on stage with only a piano playing, and she asked everyone to turn on their phones, and the theater was lit by all the phone flashlights (or torches as you might say). I thought of Judy Garland, how during her concerts at some point would sit at the front of the stage, and just serenade the crowd, and I thought Su singing by herself, that was what it must have been like with Judy, such an intimate moment. I think you lost out by not getting that. Also Yui was the best at making eye contact with the crowd. I do think if they loosen the choreo a bit Su could be another Freddie Mercury. And always wish for a longer show, I wonder if it is to save wear on Su's voice. It takes such energy to sing those high notes, I have seen them in longer concerts and she has missed a note or two towards the end, which any singer does that's not a slight. Thanks for the excellent review

Constructive criticism, reasoned is always useful. yes, but only for this you already have a plus. It's a pity that they didn't shoot the video. Those who have never had a chance to see them live are insanely interested in the stories of eyewitnesses. Thanks.

The way the logo spans the width of your shoulders and encircles your head is super aesthetically pleasing. On an unrelated note, these Trap Town 'people' and other such spambots really need to give it a rest. I can't be the only one that finds their proliferation in every comment section just pointless and maybe a little creepy.

メタルギャラクシーのツアーだからマスクを付けてたが10月10日以降のライブではコースプスペイントに戻しソロ曲も神バンドのソロも昔のように行ってほしいデスね。

I was about 2 rows back at London and as you said it was awesome but seen footage from the balcony And i thought my experience of them was much better. When the ship flys at you in intro it is very impressive visually as when the girls way they stand on the stage then wham wall of sound thrown at you . Good review enjoyed it . 🤘😁🤘

Check out the Tokyo Dome & Budokan videos. I forgot to say. Smoke on stage is very dangerous.

I think you are very lucky to see them dance with your own eyes It’s almost impossible to see them dance in Japanese concert Being a Babymetal fan is a kind of pilgrim’s journey And one must endure trial Otherwise forget all about the Babymetal Although the rabbit hole is extremely deep

Babymetal's concerts in their heyday (2010-2016) were so different than what you witnessed. There was more interaction. The Black Babymetal and Su solos gave each member a chance to shine. The Kami intro solos were improvised and different every time. They had even started to do intro solos to other songs like Yava and Awadama Fever. There was interaction between the girls and the Kami band. The Kami band had personality. Then 2018 happened. Mikio died and Yui left. It changed the whole dynamic. I do have to say that this year's setup is still better than The Chosen Seven fiasco of 2018. It's a step to going back to their roots. They need to settle on a permanent third member and bring back some of that old magic. I totally agree about seeing the show from the top down view. I've seen them from the balcony, from within the pit, middle of the floor, back of the room, and front center barrier. The best experience has always been being on the barrier. When you get the direct eye contact and the little waves. Second best experience is the mosh pit. Just letting go! I also agree 1 hour is not nearly long enough. If BiSH can do a 2 hour concert, complete with choreography and full on energy throughout the whole show, why can't Babymetal. Let them interact with the audience more.

They do it the stage like this because in the other concerts of this tour "fans" throw things to the stage like glasses and shirts almost hit the girls and with the Choreografy they was doing a thing like that can cause an accident and a bad fall can end a career thats why they made this adjusment, i see all the videos of fans of this tour and that is clear for what they do this on the stage, For safety reasons, great review and i am glad you watch Babymetal for the first time 🤘🦊🤘greetings from México! 😎✌️

Junichi ! A RI GA TOH ! 自動翻訳では意味不明だったんでとても楽しめました😆

Don't think, feel.

ジュンイチさん、翻訳ありがとうございます😊 ヘッジーさんがライブを楽しんで下さったようで良かったです！ 私は、神バンドと3人がアイコンタクトを取ってたり、ライブ中に笑わせ合ってるのを見るのが好きだったし、神バンドがお客さんを笑顔で煽ってるのも好きだったし、神バンドのソロシーンで超絶技巧を見るのも好きだったので今はそれが見られなくて本当に残念に思っています。 日本と海外では神バンドが違うので顔を出せないから仕方ないのかなと思いますが、せめて神バンドは3人の真後ろにいて欲しい... 私も現体制のライブを俯瞰で見た事がありますが、メンバー、神バンド、スクリーンの距離間はヘッジーさんと全く同じ感想を持ちました。 ライブの時間も、せめて後30分欲しいなと思います...チケット代が高額なのは、演出代と思ってます😅 でも、ライブ自体はとても楽しくて私もまた行きたいって思います！

Great Review!Sadly you missed omajinai...really really curious your reaction for that song😁

長く見ていたいてのはあるけど、今の体制じゃすぅちゃんの負担が大き過ぎるでしょうね。

So after responding to your points as asked I just want to say great review.. pretty much exactly my thoughts. London from the floor yes the view was different and worked well. Su's voice sends shivers through me she really is that good I think. Moa is just amazing and smiles her way through it all and I was very impressed with Momoko as our Avenger. Were you close enough to see the girls faces? My seat meant I could see so many of the small interactions between the 3 girls. Laughing, joking and having fun (we were all waiting for Megitsune and to see what Moa would pull on Su for us.. turns out we got a japanese version of rock-paper-scissors which is a head tilt game - you could see Moa count 1-2-3 in Japanese)... Agreed on the show length. Everyone I spoke to both nights said same thing. When the girls were young the 1 hour set made sense. That is hard work for a teen even a fit one. But now Moa is 20 I do think they could do longer sets. Maybe go back to a Su solo as well. Though of course on this and the US tour Momoko is still only 16 (Riho the other Avenger on tour is 21 and Kano the 3rd Avenger is only 15 but she has only done Japan gigs so far).

この人の意見は、運営が取り入れたらプラスになるものが多い。

Thanks Hedgy. I thought there was something similar to you. I want you to show a configuration that uses the stage more widely. The fox god will think. Maybe lol. Please go to a Babymetal concert again! I'm sorry for my poor English. From your Japanese fans.

Hello, I thought I had you on my subscription list but I don't so I am late in watching your review. Apologies. In addition, I have been rather distracted for the last few days watching Lovebites, videos. Although I have not seen BabyMetal live, I have seen most of the official DVD's and various fan cams since the early days. Generally, the smaller shows with their 'world' tours can't hope to match the Japanese shows that so many people see on KZfaq. My impression is prior to Yui leaving the touring shows were getting better and better. The girls were interacting with the crowd, the Kami Band, were getting more introduction solos and we all hoped this would continue. I understand that BabyMetal, were thrown into turmoil while it was not known if Yui, would return but since last year with the advent of The Avengers, I think your view of the impersonal touch and not so well thought out stage settings may not be unique to the circle view at Manchester. Many thanks for your review and glad you would go and see BabyMetal again.

The length of the show has been an issue for fans for some time now and will need to be addressed at some point (to be fair, the show has never lasted that long). Back when Yui was still with the band they had the option to bring in the Black Babymetal songs (I honestly don't think anyone would mind if Moa performed them with whichever Avenger is present for any given show or even as solo songs). I was in the circle for the London show and I tend to agree about the stagecraft. It's hard (to the point of impossible) to know what "concept" Koba has when designing the stage set up (and you can bet he has final approval on everything) I don't think it was as noticeable in London but maybe the circle is lower. I actually thought Su wasn't going to have her best night vocally at London. She was a little wayward during Da Da Dance and the following number but improved quickly after that so that was a relief. BxMxC was a definite highlight. I love a "wall of sound" and I don't remember an onslaught like that since seeing Uriah Heep and Hawkwind many, many years ago in a relatively small venue where they had discovered that their amps actually went to 20. One final thought. The support band, Creeper were solid (not what I would seek out to listen to but they had a noticeable following in the crowd). I bring them up because they stopped their set to help out with an injured crowd surfer and deserve every respect for that.

I saw them in Cardiff on the 20th and am just about recovering and starting to accept that it wasn't all a dream. Great review and have to agree about the wall of sound and non-stop music that kept blasting away as being an excellent experience (and I saw Sabbath in 76 and Zep in 79!). The drummer was from the band Shadows of intent whereas the other three were from some other band and he was definitely more into what he was doing and seemed to put his heart into it. Not sure where you got five members of the band from as there were 2 guitarists, a bassist and a drummer at the Cardiff gig. Very interesting what you say about the set up of the show. I see what you mean and agree and, having got my 58 year old self about 10 feet from the centre of the stage, have to say the view from there was superb but can see why it may not work from a higher viewpoint. Gotta agree about the length of the show too, even though I knew it was going to be just the 1 hour although they did cram 11 songs in. BxMxC is superb and has quickly become a fan fave at concerts (Su being all gangsta and killing it!). I thought I was going to not enjoy Da-Da-Dance and Oh Majinai but the former turned out to be a great show opener, full of joy and vigour and the latter was fun, fun, fun. I torrented BxMxC due to it not being on the UK album, btw. Interesting, in-depth review.

I think they had a bit of a problem with the lighting at Manchester, it was more notistable with Creeper. When the singer for Creeper came forward to the front of the stage, he got swallowed up in shadows and seamed to disapear at times. The lack of interation and lengh seem be to a relitively new thing, mind you bringing back the kami band solo is welcome, as they were stopped for a while, opinion is because the fans were starting to look on them as part of the group. The concerts used to be long, when the girls were younger, they used to have a break in the form of 2 Su solos and 2 Black Babymetal songs and 1 or 2 kami band slots and the show would last 10-20 mins longer, also have more interaction with the crowds, but after Yui stopped they cut back on a lot. The time lengh has been a thing that the fans have been moaning about for the last 2 or 3 years. Another thing I noticed on this tour is that the band seem to be more in the backgroud, it wasn't just the way they were dressed, with the kami band of old they were always doing somthing, something that may of distracted you from the empty spaces, it's like they didn't have a personality or were not allowed one. Oh!! by the way they had piro's in London, so that space issue may not have been so bad. With the stadium shows they normaly tend to have a bit more going on like piros, a stage in the middle that they go out to the crown on, or another thing they do is a realy big back drop with a live feed of the girls on it and you tend to watch that more than the stage when you are seated. All your point were spot on. It was nice to met you out side afterwards. I'm the guy who couldn't get his phone to work to take a picture.

I think you were very fair with the review. We need the coordinators to see through our eyes the potential that we can see for what any given BabyMetal performance can be. I understand that there's some precision in the presentation to which they need to adhere, but I think they could easily afford to loosen it up at this point.

I was at the manchester show in the circle. I didnt like sitting down but the staff wouldnt let people stand. I personally dont like the masks the kami band wear. It does tend to disconnect them from the girls. I think of all of them as babymetal but the Japanese view is that the girls and band are separate. Anyway the sound was amazing and they put on a great show. Will definitely see them again on their next tour

You are a very honest man and I like it. Yes maybe you are pickey but in a good way for me. You are clarified the one of problem with ep8 framework. After losing YUIMETAL and Mikio, I think they are still exploring the style of the show. ( One of the those is the band mask. We hate it maybe even the fox god.) But I believe they will always improve:) Thank you review and looking forward to your next BABYMETAL experience review.

Oh, I would add is that they are on tour to perform 17 performances in a month. It isn't fair to compare with them who were a short tour. Ningen Isu have fulfilled their long-standing dream and squeezed everything out. I believe girls performance is short specially on the tour, it's because nobody want to deplete girls who are an athlete. Specially Su's voice. Again Yui issues are relevant because Su can't rest her voice. I also wish I had one more song or two, but I do not want girls to wear down. (I want people from all countries to hear Su's wonderful voice, In the long term:) About value for money issue, I agree with you in my head, but I pay because I want to join the show. That means I disagree with you in another parts.

I really like that point when you mentioned that the band at the back just stood there in a single line and didn't even move an inch.... Actually , in there early live performances (I mean at the time when metal resistance album came out) , the 'kami' band in the back actually used to play in the front when they were to play solos and shreds... Don't know why now, they don't come upfront ....😕

Your point on the issue of stage layout is very interesting. I had same difficulty to feel “connected” a few times at large venues such as The Forum (CA, US) and SSA (Japan). In those cases, I was seated at a higher level beside the stage. I have been wondering why I had such difficulty, but now I have better understanding. Thank you for your excellent review!

they did had fire in Hammersmith :D

The band used to do a lot more audience interaction and go up front (and also didn't wear masks, just face paint). I think they changed that because they brought in an entirely new crew from the US along with the Japanese crew (and switch between them), so they don't want people to be too connected to them I guess. I don't agree with it, but alas. Also agree that the show should be longer, it's too short now. If they add 2 more songs to the setlist, I think that'd be great. Can't comment too much on stage set-up, I'm always in the pit at these size BM gigs.

💕 ⚡ 🌸 Very cool. I've been looking forward to this. Let me just say that I'm a huge BABYMETAL fan, and that your criticisms are totally valid. Although the other venues don't seem to have had the same kind of staging issues. We all wish the concerts were longer. Bringing back some of Su's solo songs or adding extended Kami Band instrumentals would be a pretty easy way to stretch the shows out. That was Anthony Barone on the drums, BTW. You might want to check out some of his work with Shadow of Intent. The guy is a beast. I keep telling people BABYMETAL are 10x heavier live, but you kind of have to experience it yourself to believe it. 'BxMxC' and '↑↓←→BBAB' are on all of the Japanese editions of the Metal Galaxy album. '↑↓←→BBAB' is the only song that hasn't had a live debut yet. It was a big surprise that 'BxMxC' was on the setlist for the European tour. Especially considering how long it took for 'Syncopation', the Japan exclusive track on the Metal Resistance album to be played outside of Japan. And even then, only one time so far. Lucky bastards at O2 Academy Brixton. : )

シート席からの観戦、撮影はしなかったのかな。 初BABYMETALコンサート、楽しまれたようでなによりです。

Good review Hedgy and valid critiques. I'm afraid I'm one of those people who has realised that he likes Baby Metal but dislikes Baby Metal Inc. I must admit too that every time I see a 'band' using ensemble dancing on stage these days, I tend to think, "Meh, K-pop."

The first problems by being controled appears. Su and Moa are no longers children, Koba san would let them be free in certain situations like this also you mention Kamiband, the girls and the band are Babymetal, they should interact each other sometimes and I think it will create a better interaction with people and improve the impact of show. That's Babymetal a product made with the best Band, Performers, writers, everything was made perfectly. I hope Japenese industry won't try to overuse "Babymetal" because it means an airfresh to other bands that want to try more flavors with metal as a core. Excelent review.

This group reminds me of what they did back in the 80s with (back street boy ) (new kids on the block) but ten times better now

いずれにしても、ヘッジーさんも、Love BABYMETALなんですよね。 涙を流してまでリアクトしてくれた方なんですから。 YUIMETAL脱退の時もいろいろおっしゃってましたが、まあそれはそれ。 音楽の新旧、多要素取り混ぜて、誰にも真似のできないクリエイティブなステージを一貫して 作り続けているのが、BABYMETAL‬ですからね。 まだまだ大人を目指します。

「明日にでもまた行きたい」がすべてですね。次は是非イーブンレベルで楽しんでください！

BABYMETAL及び神バンドはCDより生のほうが良いという世界でも数少ないバンド。 楽しんでいただけたようで何よりです。＾＾

的確なレビュー参考になります。 ありがとうございました。

For us at the London show we had the pleasure of some pyro at the front of the stage too, which they didn't do at the other UK dates.

I agree with you it’s unusual for the girls not interact with the crowd as the shows I’ve seen they do I haven’t seen them but would love to

I like your review -- all pieces of it. I have seen BabyMetal twice in smaller venues before the masked band. They were much more interactive. The band was active and interactive. I too have seen a lot of shows and this band when I saw them was wonderful it was 2016. But, this new show is great but it's not what you expect from a band. It's great but they need to bring back the personal aspect for sure. The Kami band has great personalities which kept me drawn to the band. The mask removed them from the "band". The girls are excellent and I can't wait to see them again.They are the main attraction and uniqueness. But I feel it's shame that the direction takes away from the cohesiveness of a band. Still one of my all time favorites, a no doubt must see and hear.

舞台に関わる仕事をしています。 おっしゃることは本当によく分かります、空間はどんな舞台でも必ずうまれるのですが そこが空間として舞台の一部を担うのか 全くの無駄な空間となるのかでは大きな違いがあります。 他の方もおっしゃってますが バンドが出てきたり、動きがある曲をやるなどは必要でしょうね アクティングエリアを大きくする工夫の余地はあったかと思います 今後に期待ですね！ とは言え決して悪い舞台構成でも無いと思います ツアーだとどうしても仕方ない部分もありますからね… ファンが故に人一倍色んな事を感じてしまうんです。 1時間は短すぎかな💦

Dear Mr., Did you react for kingslayer?

MIKIKOさんに、おねだりですね。ツアー会場ごとに投影設定は、きびしいかな？

I expected you would appreciate the drummer. You might be interested in checking out some of his other recent studio work. He drums for a band called Shadow of Intent, whose album 'Melancholy' made some waves last year. Symphonic deathcore - admittedly, not one of my genres of interest, but the musicianship can't be denied. Since he started playing with Babymetal on the US tour leg last year, he has also been announced as the new drummer for a Canadian band called Beneath the Massacre, who have a new album called 'Fearmonger' that I think has just come out. Maybe someone else can weigh in on the specific genre classification - I think tech death? I like them better and I think they're probably your kind of thing, too.

Both BxMxC and ↑↓←→BBAB are on the japanese version only. They have always released tracks for Japan only (we believe because the cost of music CDs is so much more in Japan - my copy was £34) compared to other countries to stop their consumers just ordering from abroad. They have also released at least one track outside of japan only.

BABYMETALはコンセプト的にやれない事もあるけど、、観客との交流はMOAMETALに任せれば上手くいくでしょうね👍

I was in the circle. Right in the last row. Row U....Had the best time, but it was my first time. Thinking about what you said and I agree. May also add the giant screen was a fab addition but sometimes it seemed to distract me from what the girls were doing. It dominated the stage from my position

私が感じていることを的確に語っていらして、( '-' )( ,_, ) ｳﾝｳﾝ、わかるー！！と思いながらレビューを観ていました。そしてJunichiさん、翻訳ありがとうございます。

Sounds like your criticism is more or less an absence of spontaneity. Yep, that's certainly a valid complaint but it's also part of who they are. They are rehearsed to perfection with the ability to replicate an identical performance night after night. It's actually pretty amazing. If you overlay night one in one city with night two in another, it basically is a perfect match, although I will disagree with you pertaining to audience interaction and it being impersonal. That's what Moa and the supporting avenger do for the entirety of the concert, via eye contact, waves, shared smiles. But yes, from up in the balcony, it could be difficult to experience this. However, for us Babymetal fans, it's a big part of the show. In addition, I quote the famous American founder Thomas Paine, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value." One of the things we Babymetal fans appreciate dearly are those moments of spontaneity. Their rareness makes it special when it does occur. They follow a defined script but always manage to squeeze a bit of themselves into it, although I can understand the rock and metal fans not getting it. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jauPeqp3u6_JhYk.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d9GPhdKKubHMdXU.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iM5lgch0tNzKhqM.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e856iqljpt7PaZ8.html

I absolutely agree with every negative points you've come up with. Their shows have always been scripted but there was still a bigger "free spirit" aspect that wasn't present at this tour (and the US tour). They DID use to interact with the Kamis way more, and the Kamis themselves used to interact with the girls and the audience much more. This is why I don't always agree with some BABYMETAL fans who try very hard to convince themselves that they can never do something wrong. They're currently undoing all the things they've worked very hard for when it comes to certain aspects of their live shows. First of, get rid of these hideous masks hiding the Kamis faces. It doesn't matter if they're not the OG Japanese Kamis. Give them some credit. Giving them a band solo before Kagerou is fine and all but it doesn't hide the fact that they're going backwards with this nowadays. Secondly, yes that felt very impersonal. As you've mentioned, the girls aren't at fault but whoever put that show together needs to loosen up a bit and give the girls more freedom to move around and be themselves. If you've seen one concert of their EU (or US) tour you've seen them all. The only difference is gonna be when Su says her scripted lines with *insert name of town or country here* and that's it. Oh and the Moa Hengao on Megitsune but that's their private joke and you'd be very hard pressed to spot that during the show. Next, the length. Yes. I agree. There are countless ways that they could extend the show by 30 minutes without them having to break any more of a sweat. Bring back those mesmerizing Su solos or BBM songs, you could also have an encore or put songs like The One back in and have an extended crowd participation part where the audience can sing their lungs out. One hour is way too short in my opinion and I think many people will agree and your points about them being literal athletes at this point is valid. I'm pretty sure they're indeed tired after their show but they used to have ways around it in the past and they've gone backwards on that point aswell. Finally, I think there might be a reason for the girls not wandering on the front of the stage too much (because when I went to see them they were going upfront quite a lot more than the twice you mentioned) : I've heard that they had some problems with the lighting on the front of the stage and I think the girls were told to avoid going there too much because of it. Now I don't know if that's a true story but I'll be glad to stand corrected on this one. Besides all that, BABYMETAL still remains an amazing show that you can't miss. But that doesn't mean they are perfect. And I'll say it again that they used to have way better concerts in the past for all the reasons I mentioned above : more freedom, more crowd interaction, more Kamis recognition and longer shows. This reinforces my opinion that yes, the Golden Age was and remains the 2013-2017 era for which I will always feel nostalgious about. And the girls aren't at fault in any of the point I've made. Nor are the song writers or the musicians. It's a matter of as you said who calls the shot for the shows and those backwards-thinking decisions. If people like Hedgy didn't voice their opinions and were just praising everything they see without critical thinking then BABYMETAL could not learn from its mistakes and keep dwindling down from the very high standard they have (masterfuly) set in the past.

You are correct about the stage layout. In 2018 I saw them in Austin from the balcony and then in Houston from the floor and it was a massive difference. I will never see them from above again its like a different concert. That being said, I do think it varies a lot from place to place though. Some of the venues have much smaller stages and it works way better for those up above. But for the resources and experience they have, they should be able to adjust the show for the venue.

I saw them at Tokyo Dome a few years ago in front of 50,000 people and my family and I were off to the side, in front of Moa's entrance from under the stage. She then went off to dance with the others at the centre. They were then ants so far away we had no choice but to watch the screens. A guitarist made the trek once or twice to our area, but that was it. They played to those directly in front of them for 90% of the show despite of the stage being expertly and staggeringly well put together, with a spinning stage and everything. The fact is they are an extremely tightly choreographed unit with no room for going off script for real interaction. Babymetal is simply a show and the members are employees paid to present it and they are amazingly good at what they do. They cannot worry about the cheap seats when there's likely a video crew making the next BLURAY.

I have to agree with the stage set up, I was on the barrier at Tilburg then in the circle for London. And it was certainly a different view. Although the space at London didn't seem to be as big at the front of the stage.

A well thinking review 👍Babymetal is amazing. Perhaps they stay back for fear of people throw objects at the ladies? It is a problem that is reoccurring. I do not know but it may be a thing that is done for a reason.