BABYMETAL at The O2: A Night of Pyro, Chaos, and Pure Joy

Last Friday, BABYMETAL took the stage at London’s O2 Arena for the final stop of their European tour, and it was a massive step up in every sense. This wasn’t just their biggest UK headline show to date, it was completely sold out for a crowd of 20,000 people on a production that finally matched the scale of everything BABYMETAL represents.

The show marked the beginning of the Metal Forth era, their upcoming album that seems to be expected to break whatever boundaries were still left, with a wide set of guests collaborating on their songs. The energy in the venue was already buzzing before they even stepped out, with support from Bambie Thug and Poppy each adding even more fuel to this female-fronted night of chaos. From die-hard fans in cosplay to families with young children on their shoulders, the crowd reflected just how wide BABYMETAL’s reach has become.

Bambie Thug

Bambie Thug opened with purpose. They’ve been gaining serious traction since Eurovision, which we could notice by some fans at the barrier, and they came out swinging with tracks like “Tsunami (11:11),” “Redrum Rave,” and “Doomsday Blue.” There was no live band, but their set didn’t lack impact, coming up with two masked dancers, heavy bass, and powerful visuals performing a theatrical set that landed well with the crowd. You could feel the connection, especially when Bambie raised flags and dedicated their set to the marginalised. They’ve evolved further and further, and they could show that they can deliver their messages on a wider level, keeping the crowd engaged.

Poppy

Poppy followed with a set that managed to be both brutal and reflective. From the moment her logo flashed and “Have You Had Enough?” dropped, the O2 floor erupted. Her band, cloaked in shadows and wearing ski masks, added weight to every note. “Concrete” set off multiple circle pits, “I Disagree” punched with precision. The heaviest moment of the set came during “New Way Out,” which triggered a couple of walls of death. Her set was short, almost too short, but it was impossible not to be impressed by the control and command she brought to that massive stage.

BABYMETAL

Then came BABYMETAL, and everything turned up another level. From the opening blasts of “BABYMETAL DEATH” to the final chorus of “Road Of Resistance,” the entire night felt like a full-blown spectacle, easily the best and biggest production I’ve ever seen from them. Pyro everywhere, elevated risers, massive LED panels, and a 15-song set that left no room to breathe. “PA PA YA!!” was a crowd explosion, “Kon Kon” was a blast live, especially with the Fox animations and perfectly tight choreography. “Song 3” may have stolen the show altogether, balancing crushing heaviness (with the participation of Jack Simmons from Slaughter to Prevail) with that signature BABYMETAL energy that somehow feels uplifting even when it’s tearing the roof off.

Throughout the set, huge screen cameos from their growing list of collaborators – including Tom Morello in “METALI!!,” Bloodywood on “Kon Kon,” and Electric Callboy in “RATATATA,” brought added punch to an already intense show. The live debut of “Sunset Kiss,” featuring Polyphia, was another surprise moment with dreamy visuals that contrasted beautifully with the rest of the set’s sheer force.

The encore started with “From Me To You,” with Poppy joining onstage for a wild duet, with the three members in front and Poppy at the back on the elevated stage. And just when you thought it was over, they charged into “Ijime, Dame, Zettai,” “KARATE,” and “Road Of Resistance” under falling confetti and flames. It was intense, it was emotional, and it was clear how much it meant to the band. Su-Metal took a moment to thank the UK crowd, recalling their Sonisphere debut 11 years ago, and you could feel the weight of that memory in her voice.

For a band that started as an internet curiosity, what they’ve built now is unreal. They’ve created something massive that still somehow feels personal. Metal Forth drops this August, and they’re heading to Japan and North America next. If you ever needed a reason to catch them live, this tour is it.