Babymetal fight for your right to party
WHEN
GIMME CHOCOLATE!! went viral a decade ago, Babymetal were thrust aboard the UK’s hype train, with stop-offs at Sonisphere festival, the Metal Hammer Golden God awards, and even Wembley Arena.
That success translated back to their home country of Japan, where thousands of devoted kitsunes flocked to see them.
In Japan, they still play ‘event’ shows with huge productions featuring backing dancers, pyro, and multiple moving stages. When it comes to the rest of the world, they’ve settled into a rhythm of regular album/touring cycles as they establish themselves as a band with personality and longevity. And as this two-date run at London’s Roundhouse proves, they’ve kept evolving, bursting with the talent and songs to captivate.
But first, VUKOVI. Janine Shilstone isn’t afraid to get involved with a subdued crowd who are waiting for their idols (“We’re here for one reason only –and it’s Babymetal!” she acknowledges), grabbing someone’s phone and filming herself, and goading a pit into existence –so successfully, in fact, that they have to pause the set and check everyone’s OK. Despite their backing track sometimes becoming overbearing, the Scots sound fresh and vital, I Exist from 2022’s Nula proving to be the highlight.