babymetal tour history

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• 1 Concert tours
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• 3.1 Apocrypha shows
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• 6 Award shows
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• 8 Supporting act
• 9 Other shows
• 10 References

Concert tours [ ]

Promotional concerts [ ], headlining shows [ ], apocrypha shows [ ], festival performances [ ], sakura gakuin shows [ ], award shows [ ], television shows and specials [ ], supporting act [ ], other shows [ ], references [ ].

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 The date has not yet been confirmed.
• INTRODUCING BABYMETAL
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• LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND
• Kimi to Anime ga Mitai
• Chokotto Love
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• Tsubasa wo Kudasai
• Over The Future
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• 1 METALVERSE
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Babymetal Tour History

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BABYMETAL Concert Setlists & Tour Dates

Upcoming shows.

• Date and Venue Doors Scheduled
• Apr 24 2024 Masonic Auditorium San Francisco, CA, USA  –  Find tickets Doors 6:00 PM  –  Add time Tickets 6:00 PM Add time
• Apr 25 2024 Masonic Auditorium San Francisco, CA, USA  –  Find tickets Doors 6:00 PM  –  Add time Tickets 6:00 PM Add time
• Apr 27 2024 Sick New World 2024 Las Vegas, NV, USA  –  Find tickets Add time Tickets Add time Add times
• May 25 2024 FOX_FEST 2024 Saitama, Japan Doors 3:00 PM  –  Add time 3:00 PM Add time
• May 26 2024 FOX_FEST 2024 Saitama, Japan Doors 1:00 PM  –  Add time 1:00 PM Add time
• Jun 07 2024 Rock im Park 2024 Nuremberg, Germany Add time Add time Add times
• Jun 08 2024 Rock am Ring 2024 Nürburg, Germany Add time Add time Add times
• Jun 12 2024 AFAS Live Amsterdam, Netherlands  –  Find tickets Add time Tickets Add time Add times
• Jun 15 2024 Download Festival 2024 Castle Donington, England Add time Add time Add times
• Jun 16 2024 Nova Rock 2024 Nickelsdorf, Austria Add time Add time Add times
• Jun 18 2024 Letnia Scena Progresji Warsaw, Poland Doors 6:00 PM  –  Add time 6:00 PM Add time
• Jun 20 2024 Graspop Metal Meeting 2024 Dessel, Belgium  –  Find tickets Add time Tickets Add time Add times
• Jun 21 2024 Pinkpop 2024 Landgraaf, Netherlands  –  Find tickets Add time Tickets Add time Add times
• Jun 23 2024 Le Zénith Toulouse, France Add time Add time Add times
• Jun 25 2024 Rock in Roma 2024 Rome, Italy Doors 7:00 PM  –  Add time 7:00 PM Add time
• Jun 27 2024 Hellfest 2024 Clisson, France Add time  –  Scheduled: 8:25 PM Add time Add times 8:25 PM
• Jun 29 2024 Resurrection Fest 2024 Viveiro, Spain Add time Add time Add times

BABYMETAL at Okinawa Convention Center, Tenjitou, Ginowan, Japan

• BABYMETAL DEATH
• Shanti Shanti Shanti
• Brand New Day
• Gimme Chocolate!!
• Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!
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BABYMETAL at YOKOHAMA ARENA, Yokohama, Japan

• Elevator Girl
• Doki Doki ☆ Morning
• DA DA DANCE
• Syncopation

BABYMETAL at Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain

• Night Night Burn!
• Road of Resistance

BABYMETAL at Razzmatazz, Barcelona, Spain

Babymetal at fabrique, milan, italy.

• Mirror Mirror

BABYMETAL at Rockhal Main Hall, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

Babymetal at l'olympia bruno coquatrix, paris, france, babymetal at ancienne belgique, brussels, belgium, more from babymetal.

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Most played songs

• Megitsune ( 337 )
• Gimme Chocolate!! ( 327 )
• Road of Resistance ( 272 )
• BABYMETAL DEATH ( 238 )
• Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!! ( 225 )

More BABYMETAL statistics

BABYBEARD BABYMETAL x DragonForce BiS DragonForce Joe Inoue Vinny Mauro METALVERSE MUCC NEMOPHILA RAISE A SUILEN Ryou Sakai Project Sakura Gakuin

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Artists covered

The Red Birds Judas Priest Karen Girl's Kiba of Akiba Morning Musume. Takayoshi Ohmura Petit Moni SPEED Yōko Takahashi

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Gigs seen live by

3,658 people have seen BABYMETAL live.

fLhAT6VZTuCvZ3g rip1950 qbm53 kongnw Liffy Lenzer Patloaf Clutchnificent Penesbo pbin tallan nasitaro dancinheads khaandidk syter VydraSpivom asierrey Inondo Johnnymetal alejomique TheSatanist Fab2811 batcdc fregarni jorgemejunje dillonhartley04 elChupao alf_27Q AStroud SuzukaYuiMoa davebaby Migahawk TavoSever serginator aruberutsu luuluciia Raslic Yami_Sixx Lord_Matax Jackster Pimpfru jpsyp Projektion jamartinezc lathspell gorende hprat jipiedibi truetony1 cogrunlatis

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Tour update, marquee memories: jesse mccartney.

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BABYMETAL announce North American tour with Dethklok

BABYMETAL and Dethklok are joining forces for a 29-date tour of North America this autumn.

Just days before BABYMETAL make their return to the UK with Swedish battle metallers Sabaton , the Japanese trio have announced a lengthy tour of the United States with the mighty Dethklok .

Named the – you guessed it – BABYKLOK Tour, the Japanese sensations (and stars of Kerrang!'s spring issue ) will hit the road with the stars of Adult Swim's Metalocalypse starting this August in Houston, Texas, and rounding off in Los Angeles, California, in October.

The tour comes in the wake of BABYMETAL releasing their fourth full-length THE OTHER ONE , while Dethklok will be releasing a new feature-length movie and album later this year.

“It’s very surreal having so much new Metalocalypse and Dethklok this year with the trifecta of the tour, movie and album,” says creator Brendon Small. “I’m so excited to get on the road with the powerful BABYMETAL, and to celebrate all the hard work that team Metalocalypse and Dethklok put in over the last two years and beyond!”

Catch the BABYKLOK Tour at one of the dates below. Order your limited-edition bronze version of THE OTHER ONE now .

BABYMETAL and Dethklok tour 2023

30 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall 31 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom

2 Orlando, FL Orlando Amphitheater 3 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy 5 Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium 6 Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre 8 Pittsburgh, PA UPMC Events Center 9 Wallingford, CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre 10 Alton, VA Blue Ridge Rock Festival 12 Philadelphia, PA The Mann Center 14 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway 15 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom 17 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 18 Toronto, ON RBC Echo Beach 20 Grand Rapids, MI GLC Live at 20 Monroe 21 Chicago, IL Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom 23 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life 24 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom 25 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore 27 St. Louis, MO Saint Louis Music Park 28 Omaha, NE Steelhouse 30 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium

1 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex 3 Vancouver, BC PNE Forum 4 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater 7 Sacramento, CA Aftershock 8 Las Vegas, NV Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort 10 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre 11 Los Angeles, CA YouTube Theater

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BABYMETAL team up with F.HERO and BODYSLAM for new single, LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND

Watch the video for LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND, a colossal new collaboration between F.HERO, BODYSLAM and BABYMETAL!

BABYMETAL announce huge new collab with F.HERO and BODYSLAM

BABYMETAL promise that “a new history is about to be made”, as their collab with F.HERO and BODYSLAM is arriving later this week…

Bad Omens and BABYMETAL announce huge co-headline show

Whoa! After they both appear at Download Festival this June, Bad Omens and BABYMETAL will be co-headlining an 11,000-capacity venue in Toulouse, France…

BABYMETAL announce special Japan shows to mark the end of their world tour

BABYMETAL announce two-night 2024 TOUR FINAL IN JAPAN LEGEND – 43, which is described as the “final leg of their world tour”.

Bring Me The Horizon and BABYMETAL release official Kingslayer live video

If you weren’t in Tokyo last month to see it in person, Bring Me The Horizon and BABYMETAL have unveiled a proper video of their long-awaited live Kingslayer collab…

The 50 best albums of 2023

The Kerrang! verdict on the 50 albums that shaped 2023.

VUKOVI reveal new single ahead of this month’s shows with BABYMETAL

VUKOVI are set to support BABYMETAL in the UK later this month – and they’ll be bringing a killer new single along with ’em…

Download Festival announce 2024 headliners, plus over 80 more bands

Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold will be headlining next year’s Download, while the likes of Royal Blood, The Offspring, Sum 41, Corey Taylor, Machine Head, BABYMETAL and Bad Omens are also on the line-up…

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BABYMETAL tour dates 2024

BABYMETAL is currently touring across 9 countries and has 12 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at The Masonic in San Francisco, after that they'll be at The Masonic again in San Francisco.

Currently touring across

• 🇳🇱 Netherlands
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Upcoming concerts (12) See nearest concert

The Masonic

Rock im Park

Rock am Ring

Download Festival

Greenfield Festival

Nova Rock Festival

Letnia Scena Progresji

Zénith Toulouse Metropole

Rock in Roma

Past concerts

Palacio Vistalegre

Sala Razzmatazz 1

View all past concerts

Recent tour reviews

Stunning, amazing, breathtaking... I don't know which word to use to describe it the best. Such a great and professional performance from Babymetal, I just can't praise them enough. The feel you get from seeing them perform in person has a completely different vibe to it than just listening to them on Youtube. Everyone in crowd was going wild, everyone there shared the same love for the band and that made it even better!

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This was my first time seeing Babymetal. Our Tucson, Arizona show was decent, and I was very excited to see the act. However, I felt a little underwhelmed when the show was over. I think my biggest complaint was the set length. The set list was only about an hour long. At the end, they just left the stage. No encore, no "we love you guys, Tucson is the best!", nothing. The crowd stayed around for a minute, wondering, "is this really it?" I kinda felt jipped. The saving grace for the event was the opening act. I'd never heard of Avatar before this show, and I didn't YouTube any of their music prior to the show. I thought they were a little silly at first, with the outfits and face paint and voice style and everything, but in the end, I enjoyed Avatar a lot. Sadly, more than the Babymetal act. Would I see Babymetal again? Yes, but I'd be going in with lowered expectations. Would I see Avatar again? Absolutely, and with deserved high expectations.

So the Babymetal concert was a fantastic show. The songs, the choreography, the lightshow, all were brilliant. I didn't even really mind the addition of two new dancers that much. The Kami Band was of course excellent.

However, missing one member of the original line-up (Yui) made the show feel distinctly un-Babymetal-like. The 'kawaii' that made the act so endearing in the first place is missing without the trio of girls. Not that they can't be allowed to grow up, but they're a team, and the interaction of the three of them is noticably missing.

Overall, very worth the trouble to see. Just...different from earlier Babymetal.

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The stage was shrouded in darkness, and an eerie silence filled the air, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. Suddenly, the theatre erupted in cheers as the three members of BABYMETAL, Su-Metal, Moametal, and Momometal, took their positions on stage, dressed in their signature outfits – a juxtaposition of cute and fierce. The backing band, known as the KAMI Band, was equally impressive, showcasing their incredible musicianship throughout the night.

The concert opened with “BABYMETAL DEATH,” a powerful and intense track that set the tone for the evening. The energy in the room was indescribable as the audience headbanged and several concertgoers were seen crowd surfing, as the trio hyped up the crowd with their choreography. Babymetal effortlessly transitioned between their metal and J-pop influences, blending songs like “ Gimme Chocolate!! ” and “ PA PA YA!! ” with heavier tracks like “ BxMxC ” and “ Distortion. ” This fusion of genres created a unique musical experience that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.

One of the standout moments of the night was when Babymetal performed “ METALI! ,” their most recent single. Showcasing their individual talents, the KAMI band performed some quick solos right before the girls took on the stage. As fans eagerly shouted, the addictive performance not only showcased Su-metal’s vocals but also showed another side of the group as they interacted with the crowd, convincing them to get low to the ground before going completely wild as the music got louder. The performance was filled with theatrics and excitement.

The stage production was nothing short of spectacular. Stunning visuals and a mesmerizing light show added to the overall sensory experience. Each song felt like it had its own choreographed light sequence, making the concert feel like a series of epic journeys through different realms of the Metal Galaxy.

Su-Metal, Moametal, and Momometal’s choreography was a sight to behold. Their precise and energetic dance moves showcased their incredible talent and dedication to their craft. The chemistry between the three performers was evident, and they radiated confidence and charisma throughout the show.

As the concert neared its end, the audience was treated to an encore that included fan-favorites like “Road of Resistance” and “Headbanger!!” The energy in the theatre reached its peak, and it felt like the entire crowd was united in their love for BABYMETAL.

In conclusion, BABYMETAL’s concert was an unforgettable experience that transcended musical boundaries. It was a mesmerizing journey through the Metal Galaxy, filled with incredible music, stunning visuals, and the undeniable talent and charisma of the trio and their KAMI Band. Whether you’re a die-hard metal fan or someone looking to experience something new and exciting, a BABYMETAL concert is an absolute must-see. It’s a testament to the power of music to bring people from different backgrounds together and create moments of pure joy and connection.

Check out photos from the Atlanta show down below:

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Stay up to date with BABYMETAL:  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  Official Site

Remaining Tour Dates: 

09/08 – Pittsburgh, PA @ UPMC Events Center 09/09 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre 09/10 – Alton, VA @ Blue Ridge Rock Festival 09/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center 09/14 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway 09/15 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom 09/17 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 09/18 – Toronto, ON @ RBC Echo Beach 09/20 – Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe 09/21 – Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom 09/23 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival 09/24 – Milwaukee, MN @ The Rave/Eagles Club 09/25 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore 09/27 – St. Louis, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park 09/28 – Omaha, NE @ Steelhouse Omaha 09/30 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium 10/01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex 10/03 – Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum 10/04 – Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater 10/07 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival 10/08 – Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort 10/10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theater 10/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater

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BABYMETAL Announce North American Co-Headline Tour With DETHKLOK

THE BABYKLOK TOUR TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST  

The other one concept album available now  .

Japanese metal band BABYMETAL have announced a co-headline tour with DETHKLOK, the on-screen heavy metal band and stars of Adult Swim’s “Metalocalypse,” and support from virtuoso guitarist Jason Richardson. BABYMETAL’s first time back to the US since before the pandemic, the 29-date Live Nation-produced BABYKLOK TOUR will kick off August 30th in Houston, TX, hitting Atlanta, Nashville, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many more (full dates below) before wrapping October 11th at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater. The tour will support their recent, first-ever concept album, THE OTHER ONE.  

TICKETS:  Tickets will be available starting with a CITI presale (details below) beginning today at 12:00 PM ET. An artist presale will begin at 1:00 PM local time and include VIP package options for both artists. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, April 14 at 10:00 AM local time. More information is available at thebabykloktour.com .  

  PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the BABYKLOK TOUR. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning today at 12:00 PM ET until Thursday, April 13 at 10:00 PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com .  

Last year BABYMETAL was “sealed” from the world after a successful 10-year journey. In April 2022, THE OTHER ONE restoration project began to recover the BABYMETAL we never knew existed within a virtual world called the METALVERSE. A total of 10 songs were discovered within THE OTHER ONE restoration project, with each song representing a unique theme based on 10 separate parallel worlds that they have discovered.  

On the heels of the tour announcement comes the news of the long-awaited return of Adult Swim’s favorite heavy metal adventure, “Metalocalypse.” In addition to DETHKLOK hitting the road, a full-length original film, written and directed by Brendon Small, “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar ,” a companion soundtrack and “Dethalbum IV” will also arrive this year. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF BABYMETAL 

PHOTO COURTESY OF Adult Swim 

BABYKLOK 2023 TOUR DATES  

8/30 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall 

8/31 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom 

9/2 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Amphitheater 

9/3 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy 

9/5 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium 

9/6 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre * 

9/8 – Pittsburgh, PA – UPMC Events Center 

9/9 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre 

9/10 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival *~ 

9/12 – Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center 

9/14 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway 

9/15 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom 

9/17 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 

9/18 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach 

9/20 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe 

9/21 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom 

9/23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life *~ 

9/24 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom * 

9/25 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore 

9/27 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park 

9/28 - Omaha, NE – Steelhouse 

9/30 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium 

10/1 – Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex 

10/3 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum 

10/4 – Seattle, WA - WAMU Theater 

10/7 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock *~ 

10/8 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort 

10/10 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre 

10/11 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater  

*Not a Live Nation Date 

~Festival Date 

About Live Nation Entertainment  

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com . 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  

BABYMETAL  

Ryan Cunningham | [email protected]   

DETHKLOK  

Maria Ferrero | [email protected] mailto: [email protected]  

Live Nation Concerts  

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]   

Maya Sarin | [email protected]   

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What happened when Babymetal went head-to-head with Metallica in Seoul

It finally happened. This century’s biggest metal phenomenon sharing a show with the biggest metal band of all time. Step this way to see how it played out when Metallica met Babymetal...

It’s Wednesday 11 January. The world has barely emerged from its New Year’s stupor, but Babymetal are about to grab 2017 by the horns and realise their dream. For tonight, in Seoul, South Korea, they are supporting Metallica . It’s the latest in a string of high-profile appearances for the girls. Last December, they opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers on their UK arena tour – a role soon to be reprised in the US. Later this month, they will support Guns N’ Roses in Japan. But playing with Metallica is the biggie. Not only does it represent full integration into the metal community, but it’ll see Su-metal, Yuimetal and Moametal – along with their founder and captain Kobametal – achieving their ultimate ambition.

“Metallica are like gods to us,” enthuses Su-metal, ever smiley and ready to rise to a challenge. “I had been admiring them for a long time and dreamed to perform with them, so I never thought it would come true this fast!”

Babymetal’s ascent, and their courtship of their heroes, has indeed been swift. They met in August 2013, at Japan’s Summer Sonic festival in Osaka. Babymetal were wearing ‘And Justice For Babymetal’ tribute t-shirts, which soon caught the band’s attention, and Lars ended up watching them play on the small Flower Stage. Later, the girls returned the favour by watching the headliners perform – and it was their first-ever metal show.

“I was so surprised!” exclaims Su-metal today, thinking back to the day that changed everything. “I was like, ‘What in the world is this?’ I found it interesting that instead of hearing their music through my ears, I felt everything with my heart. Until then, I thought metal was something so alien and scary, but that concert made me enjoy metal and want to know more about the genre.”

Band manager Kobametal, meanwhile, is a lifelong fan. For Babymetal’s ‘Legend 1997’ concert at Makuhari Messe in Chiba later that year, he even oversaw the creation of a large statue of a woman who loomed over the band and collapsed, like Metallica’s iconic Lady Justice one. It’s a level of fandom that has allowed Babymetal to connect with fans of heavy music more easily. He remembers seeing the band at the legendary, 50,000-capacity Tokyo Dome in 1991, after they released The Black Album . It affected him the same way as it did Su-metal, altering his life forever, and ultimately leading him down the path he’s treading today. “The album brought a new perspective to the metal scene,” he explains. “They had a profound influence, and their sound was just so natural that I instantly became addicted to their music.”

Twenty-six years later, and today marks the beginning of the Asian leg of Metallica’s WorldWired Tour, in support of new double album Hardwired… To Self- Destruct . In Gocheok-dong, south-west Seoul, under the winding Han River that bisects the city, the sweeping Gocheok Sky Dome looms like a large chrome cloud. The 17,000-capacity venue is only a year old, and is home to professional baseball team the Nexen Heroes. Outside, large posters hanging from poles announce Metallica’s presence. At merchandise tents, vendors are busy unpacking boxes and boxes of Babymetal t-shirts. There are four designs, each with the divine prayer of thanks ‘The Fox God Led Us To The Metal Master’ etched on the back. A badge displaying the logo cutely bears the motto: ‘Kawired… To Wallet-Destruct.’

It’s Metallica’s fifth show in Seoul, but it’s the first for Babymetal. South Korea has a K-Pop scene, but nothing like Japan’s idol subculture. Japanese rock bands such as Sekai no Owari and Radwimps are better known. A few in the crowd are diehard Babymetal fans who have brought along homemade pins and medals, but for most people it’ll be the first time they’ve heard anything like the band’s hybrid of poppy hooks and headbanging chaos. Backstage, Su, Moa and Yui, along with the Kami Band, are preparing to go on. Red-and-black outfits are pulled on, hair is sprayed perfectly into place and warm-ups are completed. Meanwhile, people pour into the Sky Dome in their thousands, quickly making their way across the bright-green floor towards the stage adorned with Babymetal’s banner. It truly is a vast space.

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As showtime arrives, Babymetal and their entourage make their way through backstage corridors, walking past flight cases bearing Metallica’s distinctive logo. The band’s familiar, spoken-word intro tape blares out, detailing their creation by benign deity the Fox God, and then it’s onto the stage for the rousing, high-octane Babymetal Death , before the Kami Band come forward to show off their extreme metal soloing chops. They pay homage to their hosts tonight, with the classic duelling refrain of Master Of Puppets ringing out to surprised cheers and enraptured stares.

Next, the girls run through Catch Me If You Can in perfect formation. “I want to see a big circle!” exclaims Su-metal, tracing one in the air with her arm in an attempt to incite a pit, though some of the audience misunderstand and copy her gesture instead. Dance-powered Megitsune is as energetic as ever, Gimme Chocolate!! is received warmly, and Su gets everyone singing Karate ’s honeyed ‘Whoa’s right back at her. By the time closer Road Of Resistance rolls around, there is a pit down the front, with bodies colliding to its impossibly frenzied riffs.

It’s a slick show that critic Jin Chung from the Korea Joongang Daily newspaper will later describe in glowing terms. “The group has been gaining a loyal following in recent years, and pulled off the impressive performance of dance and metal the group has come to be loved for, not missing a single beat,” he writes.

“I was sceptical at first due to my unfamiliarity with the whole Japanese idol trend,” he tells us afterwards. “But it was incredibly refreshing.”

Metallica fans, too, give it the kitsunes up. Sean Winemiller, a 22-year-old soldier from Illinois stationed in South Korea, owns Babymetal’s debut album but had never seen them play live before tonight. “I honestly think they were heavier than Metallica!” he raves. “But that probably has more to do with the tuning, because Metallica usually only play in E or Eb. Comparing their show to earlier footage I saw on YouTube of Babymetal first touring the world, I would say the girls have a lot more confidence playing outside Japan now.”

Varasorn Kitchamnong, 35, travelled from Bangkok to see The Four Horsemen, and had never seen Babymetal play either. “When I looked them up and heard their music, I thought they were really not my style,” he confesses. “Yet I wanted to see them if I had a chance, because the performance seemed really fun. Their show was very energetic, and like nothing I’d seen before! The best moment was when they played the song Karate. I think it played a major part converting me into being a fan. I couldn’t get it out of my head long after the show.”

An ever-professional Su-metal admits she felt the pressure of such a big event, but was pleased she managed to rule the stage and win over the crowd. “I was going onstage still feeling spacey,” she reveals. “As it was our first show here, we and the audience were kind of awkward figuring out how to pump up the show. But I was glad when I saw people jumping with the song Karate all the way to the back! I wanted to do what we usually do – be ourselves and show our style to the audience.”

Mission successfully completed, it’s time for Babymetal to watch Metallica rip through 18 songs, including the world premieres of newies Now That We’re Dead and Halo On Fire . But Su-metal is particularly excited to see them play her favourite song, Master Of Puppets , as they break out the riffs in front of large screens showing the album’s white crosses, with the audience singing back every note. “When I heard its big chorus, I thought it was amazing the way Metallica captivated the huge audience,” she says.

There’s also time for another meeting and another selfie tonight, with Lars, James, Kirk and Rob posing with the trio and holding those iconic Fox God masks up to their grinning faces. Su remains humble about meeting the legends again. “We got to chat about many things,” she says, “but I was really glad when they said to me, ‘Thanks for coming today.’”

Naoyuki ‘Ume’ Umezawa, founder of Japan’s Headbang magazine, has flown in for the show. He reckons the bands are a good match. “The fact that Metallica, who are at the top of heavy metal, appointed Babymetal to support their tour, speaks for itself,” he says. “Metallica try different approaches to metal. It might be a ‘no’ from a band like Iron Maiden, who play traditional, prestigious and orthodox British metal, but I think they’re accepted by Metallica because they think metal should experiment.”

Metallica have stayed relevant for more than 30 years, a feat Kobametal chalks up to their constant evolution of music, image, and something he can’t quite put his finger on. “I think it’s their attitude of persistently moving forward. I think it’s not just their sound, but because of the fact they are a band with a metal heart,” he affirms.

Now Babymetal will be looking to replicate the same success, building on the latest step of their incredible journey. Not only is Kobametal proud of their achievements, he believes they can help pave the way for the next generation, as a beacon of hope for what can happen if you work – and believe – hard enough.

“In my opinion, to be able to perform on the same stage as Metallica, who are one or two generations older than Babymetal, was such a significant moment, not only for Babymetal but also the future generations in the metal scene,” he says. “After seeing both bands perform, I felt that one of Babymetal’s duties is to carry the torch for the future of metal.”

For Su-metal, tonight is the perfect conclusion to a vision formed that day she saw Metallica play Summer Sonic festival, just over three years ago. She has thrown herself into a genre that once seemed strange to her, and in the process she’s become part of the fabric of the global heavy metal community. Even if you’re still a Babymetal cynic, you have to admit they’ve come a long way – you don’t see any haters sharing a stage with the biggest icons in our world.

“The best thing about becoming a part of metal culture is that we were able to open doors to new worlds which we never knew of before,” Su marvels. “I found out that there is a lot more out there that we could learn from, and after giving something new a try, that it could be fun! I think I’ve become stronger now.”

In the immortal words of James Hetfield, what don’t kill you make you more strong. When we venture to ask what the band’s goals are now, having smashed their target out of the stadium, we’re met with the standard ‘Only The Fox God Knows’ brush-off from Su and Koba. All we know is that he’s gonna have to come up with some seriously magical shit to top this.

BABYMETAL’S METAL RESISTANCE IS OUT NOW VIA EARMUSIC. METALLICA’S HARDWIRED… TO SELFDESTRUCT IS OUT VIA BLACKENED

Watch Metallica’s video recaps from Far East shows

Talking to Babymetal about their bonkers 2016

The track-by-track guide to Metallica – Hardwired... To Self-Destruct

Eleanor was promoted to the role of Editor at Metal Hammer magazine after over seven years with the company, having previously served as Deputy Editor and Features Editor. Prior to joining Metal Hammer, El spent three years as Production Editor at Kerrang! and four years as Production Editor and Deputy Editor at Bizarre. She has also written for the likes of Classic Rock, Prog, Rock Sound and Visit London amongst others, and was a regular presenter on the Metal Hammer Podcast. 

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