JO1 Cause a Scene in Los Angeles While on North American Tour ANIMAL
Written and Photo by Rebecca Rowe
| What you doin'? What's the vibe? Where you at? Hopefully in the audience at a JO1 concert.
After almost seven years together, global Japanese boy group JO1 embarked on their first North American Tour. The group closed out the five-stop tour, ANIMAL, in Los Angeles on October 11. With two sold out shows in Los Angeles and New York just last year, performances at KCON LA and Jingle Ball, and many local appearances the nine member group was welcomed back into LA by excited fans clamoring into the theatre to show their dedication.
With an energy unmatched, JO1 took the stage with their signature dance moves, punchy raps and diverse vocals. With a discography filled with powerful booming sound, JO1 is a must see live.
Dance-pop number “WATCHA DOIN” thrust the members into action and set the adrenaline filled tone of the night. “ICY” and “STATUS” followed, both off JO1’s latest first all-English EP, ANIMAL. Produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Dem Jointz, ANIMAL expands on the group’s musical identity. The EP is filled with hip-hop and electro-pop and the message to break free from limitations and move forward on instinct.
In contrast to their high energy numbers, “Hikaru” offered a moment of intimacy during an acoustic styled version of the number, Junki leading the members on the piano.
The group surprised fans with three vastly different unit stages. Starting the set was Takumi’s solo rap number, where he shined in his effortless swag and fast rap. Máme, Sky, Ren and Keigo hit the stage with a heavy hip hop dance medley, the quartet moving through both their powerful sharp and fluid movements with ease. Syoya, Junki, Ruki and Sho highlighted their vocals with Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” all four smoothly hitting each high note as the audience sang along.
At a JO1 show, the end of the concert doesn’t mean calmer energy, in fact just the opposite. With newer songs “ANIMAL” and “SAKURA,” JO1’s stamina and spirit shined. Keigo amped up the energy with a call and response of barks and chants before the other eight members bounced back on stage to perform “SAKURA”. JAM jumped along, shaking the floor of the venue as the member’s smiles beamed into the crowd.
Closing the night was single release “IGNITE,” which features as the theme song on season three of anime Tokyo Revengers. The members, mirroring a shukai, or meetup, from the show, performed the number wearing traditional Japanese garments, tokko-fuku. After waving goodbye and thanking fans, Sho returned to the stage to express his gratitude, offering a final bow to JAM.
Check out our interview with JO1 and see more of what the members have to say about their performances and more. [Coming soon]
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