Japanese rock legends, BABYMETAL, stopped in Los Angeles for a very special, sold out show at Intuit Dome on November 1st. Upon arrived, I’d overheard that many fans lined up outside of the venue as early as 6am. Getting in line early was well worth it though, not just for the show itself, but for the view as well. For this show, BABYMETAL’s stage was positioned as an in-the-round setup — allowing a clearer and closer stage view in comparison to traditionally end-set stages. The barrier stretched around the entire floor for hundreds of feet, giving more fans an up-close and personal, front row experience, which normally wouldn’t be as extensive.
The lights cut to darkness for moment and finally the time arrives — the arena sparks into a lively uproar, lasers slicing through haze, as the first moments of “BABYMETAL DEATH” detonated us like an explosion of excitement and anticipation. BABYMETAL’s set rolled on, keeping our adrenaline sky high: “from me to u” sent us into a frenzy while “Distortion” absolutely crushed us — so much that we could feel our souls rattling. “PA PA YA!!” fully delivered as expected, a fan favorite for sure.
Their in-the-round stage was ingenious — the perimeter lined with laser beams, cryo jets and of course, massive pyro cannons. The effects for this show were unrivaled, leaving us fully immersed in what we’d consider our long-awaited dreamscape. The lighting rig encircled overhead while video screens wrapped around the upper ring as kaleidoscopic anime-metal graphics flashed perfectly to each song. And when the special effects kicked in? Oh man — flames which easily towered 15+ feet shot up around the band in a fiery cage, while plumes of icy cyro enveloped the trio, giving the whole show an “out of this world” atmosphere.
In the midst of the welcomed chaos emerged the most unexpected moment of magic: Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox appeared on stage to perform “My Queen,” a newer arena-ready song that was a perfect match for this live debut. The crowd instantly spiraled into madness with an overwhelming roar — (I mean who wouldn’t need to catch their breath?) These two powerhouses together performing this track for the first time in front of 18,000+ fans was truly the icing on the cake — and we were only a little over halfway through the show.
Other highlights of the setlist included the always adored “RATATATA” and “Gimme Chocolate!!!” (my personal favorite). “Song 3” (which features a recorded duet with Slaughter To Prevail) notably had the crowd jumping immediately at the barricade. The Los Angeles Dodgers had also been playing their final night of the World Series — which they won in the middle of the show. In celebration of their win, a mascot decked out in Dodgers gear frolicked around the stage, sending the volume of the dome through the roof.
BABYMETAL’s live shows are always nothing short of extraordinary. They pack the metal militia, melodic vocals and impressive dance routines without fail. Their choreography has always been a spectacle of precision, and tonight was no exception. Every spin, stomp, and synchronized headbang hit perfectly in sync with each moment. Dressed in their signature vibrant, multicolor outfits, the ladies of BABYMETAL looked like true warriors from another dimension — elegant, yet intimidatingly powerful and ready to rumble. Even though their shows are infamously intense (in the best way), they never lose focus — gliding around the stage in a flawless formation, waving and locking eyes with fans as they made their rounds to all areas of the audience. Their rare balance of discipline and spirit makes BABYMETAL insanely magnetic — polished to metal perfection, yet embracing an adorable, oh-so-likable persona.
As the 3-song encore began, BABYMETAL hoisted massive flags with their band logo embracing the American flag, waving them proudly with glowing smiles as they paraded around the stage, showing gratitude for their dedicated fanbase and an incredible turnout. I’ve seen BABYMETAL four times prior to this show and can easily say this performance in particular will forever remain engraved in my head as an unforgettable memory. The level of production detail, immersive environment and energy of the fans combined crafted an incomparable experience for not just myself, but every single person in the arena that night.
