Live Report: YOASOBI ARENA TOUR 2023 “Denko Sekka” @ Saitama Super Arena 6/3

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I went to the YOASOBI concert (Saitama Super Arena) on 6/3/2023. I will write my impressions of it.

To start with the conclusion, it was incredibly fun!
The highlights were: 1) being able to hear YOASOBI's live music at high volume, 2) enjoying the sense of unity at the live show for the first time in a while, and 3) photography was allowed!

▶︎ How I started listening to YOASOBI

I became interested in YOASOBI through the free live stream concert held in collaboration with UNIQLO UT. Before that, I had listened to YOASOBI's songs briefly. The production of this free concert was stylish and the music was great, so I started listening to YOASOBI's music on Amazon Music.

Also, since the pandemic has ended, I wanted to go to someone's concert. At that time, I found out that YOASOBI was having a concert, so I applied and won tickets.

▶︎ Impressions of the concert

I went to a concert for the first time in about five years (since Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in December 2018). Rather than listening to music with headphones at home, the sense of unity created by 19,000 people at Saitama Super Arena was amazing. Just as the word "music" (ongaku) implies, I was able to enjoy the sound at high volume. I thought it was worth the 7,800 yen.

It was my first time going to a YOASOBI concert. I was impressed by how young all the members were, including Ikura (YOASOBI's vocalist). Their youthfulness was also bursting from their MC segments. There have been news reports about Ikura's singing ability, but it's best to confirm it with your own ears.

It was also pleasant to see people jumping and dancing, enjoying the concert. The person I went with (who was attending a concert for the first time in about 10 years) also said they realized the fun of "oshi-katsu" (supporting one's favorite idol/artist).

I thought I would like to bring my children to a concert (though maybe from elementary school age). It's a good experience and expands future possibilities. Ikura also said that when she was a teenager, she saw a Taylor Swift concert at Saitama Super Arena and thought she wanted to stand on that stage someday.

▶︎ Setlist

1. Kaibutsu (Monster)

2. Yoru ni Kakeru (Racing into the Night)

3. Sangenshoku (RGB)

4. Seventeen

5. Mr.

6. Umi no Manimani (As It Happens)

7. Suki da

8. Encore

9. If I Could Draw Life

10. Tabun

11. Taisho Roman

12. Mou Sukoshi Dake

13. Love Letter

14. Shukufuku

15. Gunjou

16. Adventure

17. (Encore song) Idol

Live footage of the encore song 'Idol'. The impression is quite different when viewed from the first floor compared to the second floor, and the sense of presence at the live show changes significantly depending on the camera work.

▶︎ Live photos (from the second-floor seats)

The live show was entirely open to photography (video and audio recording were not allowed). Actually, I was taking photos during the concert, and I didn't really feel any downsides for the management side. A live artist's product cannot exist without sound. I felt that in this day and age, the benefits of having information spread spontaneously on social media outweigh the risks of commercial misuse by allowing photography (I wish I had brought a telephoto lens...).
There were many laser effects, and it was very photogenic and fun to take pictures.

Bonus