BABYMETAL
House of Blues
Anaheim, CA
12.3.24
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN BELL
Babymetal kicked off the first of three nights at the House of Blues Anaheim to end their US tour. The sold out show was already packed with people when opener Scene Queen took the stage. While Scene Queen put on a fun, energetic, and visually appealing show, it was clear the crowd was there for Babymetal.
The Japanese kawaii metal band fronted by Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal commanded the audience’s attention from start to finish. Providing the musical background was the Kami Band clad in all black and metal face masks. The band demonstrates incredibly tight musicianship and could stand on its own, but the main draw is the trio of Japanese women in the front.
Providing the visual background was a large screen providing stunning visuals, sometimes including the trio or the crowd. In front were the Babymetal girls putting on their highly choreographed and synchronized performance. For a band and stage show that is in many ways scripted, it still felt fun and free-spirited.
The hour-plus set was packed with fan favorites. “Babymetal Death” opened the set. “PA PA YA!!” was early in the set with “Metali!!!” soon after. Tom Morello often pops up on stage at concerts and jam nights around Los Angeles, but his only appearance at this show was on the big screen where Electric Callboy also made his appearance toward the end of the set during “RATATATA.”
“Gimme Chocolate!!” ended the set before the group came back out to do “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” and “Road of Resistance” for the encore. While the set list was packed with fan favorites, it wasn’t enough for the diehards with many in the audience proclaiming they would be there for all three nights.
