[Summer Sonic 2026 Tokyo - Part 1] It wasn't just about Ado. Looking back at a Summer Sonic that was great from the morning
On August 15th, I went to SUMMER SONIC 2026 Tokyo.
The artists I saw that day were HANA, Mura Masa, Kento Nakajima, SIRUP, ALEX WARREN, and Ado. Along the way, I also caught a glimpse of Hitsujibungaku.
Of course, my main goal was Ado.
However, looking back at the end of the day, the time leading up to it was so enjoyable that it didn't just end with 'Ado was the best.'
I saw artists I probably wouldn't have gone to see in a solo concert on my own, and unexpectedly, they really resonated with me.
Conversely, there were times when I realized that an artist I was curious about wasn't really for me.
I think this is exactly what makes festivals interesting.
This time, I want to start by looking back at the day leading up to Ado.
HANA, who I felt the momentum of 'the season'
First was HANA.
My wife likes them, so I knew a few songs, but I hadn't been actively listening to them myself.
That was my state, but I was lucky enough to see them from quite close, almost at the front.
And what I felt after actually watching the live performance was that artists who are currently on a roll are truly amazing.
It wasn't just the heat of the venue, but more than that.
The quality of the live performance throughout all the songs was quite high.
Including the singing and dancing, I was convinced that it's no wonder they are popular if they can show this kind of performance, rather than just 'getting excited because it's a hot topic.'
Even someone like me who only knew a few songs enjoyed it thoroughly.
It was a live performance where I felt the momentum that a seasonal artist has, right in front of my eyes.
Not resonating is also part of the fun of a festival
Next was Mura Masa.
I watched a little bit of this, but it was different from my personal taste than I had expected.
Of course, this isn't about whether the performance was good or bad, it's purely a matter of compatibility.
This time, it didn't reach the point where I wanted to stay and watch more, so I left the spot midway through.
But I think this kind of experience is also unique to festivals.
You know the name, you're a little curious.
Just with that, you can casually go watch them.
If you get hooked there, that's great, and realizing 'it wasn't for me' is also a gain.
The biggest surprise, Kento Nakajima
And on this day, other than Ado, the person I personally thought was the best was Kento Nakajima.
This was truly unexpected.
It was incredibly good.
A friend I went with was knowledgeable about him, so I watched while having the songs and call-and-response taught to me on the side, but even I, with almost no prior knowledge, was naturally shouting and enjoying it.
What I thought was most amazing was that even though he is overwhelmingly an 'idol,' there was absolutely no unpleasantness.
He looks cool. He sings. He dances. He hypes up the audience.
And yet, he makes you laugh properly during the MC.
Even though he must understand that he is cool, he turns even that into entertainment.
I was watching with two other guys, and after the live show ended, we were talking about,
'I want to go to his solo concert normally.'
To put it in a very rough impression,
'Johnny's is amazing...'
was what we felt.
It was a world I hadn't touched much before, but I felt like I had experienced a little bit of the reason why it has been supported as a huge entertainment for many years.
He involves even people who don't know the songs and makes them enjoy it.
Kento Nakajima was purely an extremely excellent entertainer.
He might be the artist whose impression changed the most at this Summer Sonic.
Swaying to SIRUP in the sea breezeAfter that, I peeked at Hitsujibungaku for a little bit.
However, this was more about compatibility with the environment than the artist, and personally, I didn't really like how the sound resonated inside Makuhari Messe, so I decided to leave early.
And then to the BEACH STAGE.
It was SIRUP.
This was already the best, including the location.
Listening to SIRUP while feeling the sea breeze, just swaying side to side.
For a body that had been bathed in various sounds since the morning, SIRUP at this time of day felt so pleasant.
I originally like music like SIRUP, but listening to it near the sea, feeling the evening air, is different.
It's not just the live performance.
Including the wind and the scenery, it becomes one experience.
'Listening to SIRUP at a festival' itself was very emotional.
ALEX WARREN, who conveyed his message even without knowing the songsAnd ALEX WARREN.
Honestly, I hardly knew any of his songs.
Furthermore, this was my first time seeing an overseas artist live properly.
Even so, it was an incredibly good live performance.
I can't understand all the meanings of the lyrics, and I don't know in detail what kind of life he has led.
Even so, while watching the live performance, the things they cherish and the roots of their music were strangely conveyed.
I don't know the specific background.
Even so, the feeling that 'these people must cherish this' comes across from the stage.
Even if you don't understand the language, can it be conveyed this much in a live performance?
That was quite fresh.
And the performance team was also cool.
They weren't just a backing band supporting the vocals, each player had their own proper spotlight.
The feeling of showing the performance itself as a show was very fresh to me.
Especially the bass player lady was wonderful.
Even though I started watching without knowing almost any songs, by the time it ended, I was thinking, 'I saw something good.'
This kind of encounter is the real thrill of a festival.
And finally, Ado was waitingI felt the momentum of an artist currently on the rise with HANA, met an unexpected big hit in Kento Nakajima, swayed to SIRUP in the sea breeze, and was taught the fun of overseas acts by ALEX WARREN.
At this point, it was already a day where I could think,
'I'm glad I came to Summer Sonic today.'
And what was waiting at the end was Ado, the biggest goal this time.
I thought about writing about Ado from here, but it was impossible.
There are too many things I want to write.
The criticism directed at her when she was appointed as a headliner.
The opening that addressed that head-on.
Furthermore, the thoughts she spoke about in the MC regarding standing as a headliner.
To me, that entire live performance looked like an answer to the question, 'Why is Ado a headliner at Summer Sonic?'
So, I will write about Ado in the next article, using the whole thing.
Why was Ado a headliner at SUMMER SONIC?
And what did she show on that stage that night?
Next, I want to write about that story.