I've never attended a concert that was immediately followed by
widespread disappointment expressed online. We saw Babymetal at the
Uptown Theater last night, May 8, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri. The
place was packed full and the anticipation was jubilant.
1.) For me:
A.) It was the first "metal" concert I've ever attended.1.) For me:
B.) It was the first time I've ever seen a band from Japan.
C.) It was the first time I've even seen a rock concert where choreography was a key element.
D.) I wore ear plugs plus my headphone ear cover, the one I use while
mowing grass. I'm sure it reduced the volume by 50 decibels and was very
necessary. Still, the throbbing of the bass sounds bounced off my
chest and cause my teeth to vibrate, so I'm certain it was an unhealthy
environment for me. No effect on my permanent vertigo so far. No
increase in lifelong tinnitus. (I have Meniere's Disease and going to loud concerts is something I have not done for over a decade.)
2.) Points of explanation:1.) The lead singer is Suzuka Nakamoto (Su-metal). She is 20 years old (as of this writing) and taller than the other two. She was the center of the show last night. At previous concerts she would occasionally leave the stage while the other girls would sing as a duo. At other times all three would take a break as the band, the Kami (spirit or ghost) Band would come forward and play instrumentals. Not so last night. She carried the whole show.
2.) Yui Mizuno (Yui-Metal) is one of the two younger and shorter girls who perform backing vocals for Su-metal and do synchronized dancing with partner Moametal. She is 18 years old.
3.) Moa Kikuchi (Moametal) is 18 years old. She performs as a duo with Yui-Metal.
B.) The Kami band is their hugely loved and respected band. One of its two guitar players, Mikio Fujioka, died from injuries in Japan in January 2018 after falling over a railing on the roof of building. The band members wear face paint and white floor length robes to make them look like ghosts, which can make them somewhat unrecognizable facially. The bass player was definitely the same.
C.) The performance in Kansas City on May 8 was the first of an eight city tour of the Southeastern United States where the band has never toured before. Previously, Babymetal has headlined their own shows in New York and Los Angeles and has performed at a few outdoor metal rock festivals in the U. S. and Canada. Babymetal has also played as the warm-up act for Lady Gaga and Korn. Almost all of these shows were in the Western states.
D.) In the days leading up to this tour there has been a number of press releases from the band's management.
1.) There had been reports that Babymetal would be the subject of a comic book. The latest news is that this will be a 144 page graphic novel and will be published in October, including an edition published in the United States.
2.) Babymetal has started a line of fashion wear for young ladies, beyond the t-shirts sold at concerts.
3.) Babymetal is starting a record label in the U.S.
4.) Babymetal released a new song and video the day before the tour.
None of the members of Babymetal appear in the video.
5.) Now here is where everything gets confusing. Babymetal has
always operated with a fictional back story about how they are three
spirits chosen by the Fox God (which is an ancient character from
Japanese folklore and is interesting to read about). And as these
spirits sing and dance their way through the cosmos, each new concert
tour and album represent a new chapter in their saga, very much like the
chapters of the Star Wars saga. The new chapters are even introduced with a
narration complete with tilted type scrolling upward on screens just
like Star Wars, telling their symbolic stories (which I think are rather
corny). The latest chapter has included this row of human figures
draped from head to toe in shrouds, sometimes seven of them, sometimes
eight, sometimes ten, almost like they were undecided how many there
ought to be. Who these characters are and what they are supposed to be
was never explained and it made the fans nervous, fearing it was a hint of personnel changes.
E.) So, with all that has been announced about Babymetal in the last week, absolutely nothing was said that Yui-metal was apparently no longer in the group. She missed two performances in Hiroshima in December and that raised yellow flags among fans. At these shows in Hiroshima it was announced in advance that she was ill. An open and honest explanation like this from Babymetal is rare, instead of crafting a chapter in the back story. Finally, the group's management released a short statement that Yui-metal is still a member of the group...and nothing else.
E.) So, with all that has been announced about Babymetal in the last week, absolutely nothing was said that Yui-metal was apparently no longer in the group. She missed two performances in Hiroshima in December and that raised yellow flags among fans. At these shows in Hiroshima it was announced in advance that she was ill. An open and honest explanation like this from Babymetal is rare, instead of crafting a chapter in the back story. Finally, the group's management released a short statement that Yui-metal is still a member of the group...and nothing else.
3.) Reaction to first performance on this U. S. tour:B.) There was no tribute the passing of guitarist Mikio Fujioka (ditto).
C.) There were two additional dancers who appeared onstage throughout. They did not sing. Whether or not they are considered part of Babymetal or just as dancers appeared unclear.
D.) Moametal's singing and dancing was minimal and looked awkward like they couldn't figure out where to put her.
E.) There were so many lights flashing and strobing from the back of the stage toward the audience it obstructed a clear view of the performers. That was the effect. I do not know if this was intentional to further detract from the absence of Yui-metal.
E.) There were so many lights flashing and strobing from the back of the stage toward the audience it obstructed a clear view of the performers. That was the effect. I do not know if this was intentional to further detract from the absence of Yui-metal.
F.) After one hour a white curtain was quickly lowered and a video was
screened on it. I actually thought it was an intermission, but, no, it
was the end of the show. The audience had no opportunity to applaud
the group or request an encore, unlike previous concerts as shown on the
groups DVDs. It felt like a quick abrupt ending to prevent the audience
from giving a tepid or negative reaction.
Just everything looked and felt awkward and clumsy. Granted, it was the first public performance of the new Babymetal show, so there is that to consider. The internet exploded immediately. Reactions were stunned, disappointment, confusion, and some anger. Some fans were determined to cheerfully accept whatever the new Babymetal show had to offer. I think everyone was taken off guard.
I was disappointed. I hope I don't experience anything like this again.
