Babymetal

I knew this night was going to be intense, but I didn’t expect to feel so many different emotions. Between Bambie Thug’s raw theatricality, Poppy’s emotional contrasts, and Babymetal’s ultra-polished performance, it was a full-on experience.

Just a quick note before diving in: unfortunately, I was a little to late for the first Bambie Thug and Poppy didn’t allow any photographers. Therefore not able to make photos of their performances. A real shame, honestly, because both opening acts had so much going on visually, and it would’ve been great to capture.

Bambie Thug opened the evening in what felt like a near-ritualistic atmosphere. With two dancers, minimal lighting, and a strong stage presence, they immediately set a mood. But what really stood out was the moment Bambie raised the flags of Palestine and the transgender community. It was a simple gesture, but incredibly powerful, and it electrified the room. There was a real political energy in the air, and the audience instantly came alive. Musically, it was dark, intense, sometimes unsettling, but it all felt completely sincere. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t leave you indifferent. Either you disconnect or you dive in. I disconnected.

Poppy came on stage without any transition. A wave of smoke, then straight into a brutally aggressive track. No words, no greeting, just sound hitting you in the face. And honestly, I loved it. What amazed me was how naturally she switched from soft, ethereal vocals to fierce screams, without ever sounding forced. One song began like a slow ballad, then exploded into chaos and ended with a powerful drum solo. It was a real rollercoaster. No need for flashy visuals, the raw energy was more than enough. For me, Poppy is the perfect gateway artist for anyone curious about metal without wanting to dive straight into relentless riffs. It’s subtle, but it hits hard.

Then Babymetal arrived. The venue was packed to the brim. A cinematic video intro launched on the giant screen, more like a mythical legend than a concert opening. And then, fireworks, pyrotechnics, tightly synchronized choreography, and heavy riffs. The tone was set. The beginning of their set had some mixing issues, the vocals were way too loud and raw compared to the rest, but once that was adjusted, everything locked into place. The audience was on fire. People were jumping, singing, headbanging, completely immersed.

During “Headbanger”, there was a real moment of connection. Everyone was headbanging in sync, which felt both absurd and totally euphoric. Later, during “Resistance”, the back-and-forth singing between the band and the crowd gave me chills. I’ve rarely seen that kind of energy shared so naturally.

What I’ll remember most is the variety of what we experienced. Three very different artists, three distinct ways of making a crowd feel something powerful. I was surprised, moved, shaken. Even though I couldn’t photograph the whole evening, the memories are burned into my mind.

Would I recommend this night? Absolutely, no hesitation.