Snow Man Dazzle in First Dome Tour – i DO ME
It was the 10th of June. After taking my seat in the press section of the Tokyo Dome, I took a deep breath and mentally tried to prepare myself for what I was about to see. I’d been a fan of the JPOP group Snow Man for a few years now. I’ve listened to every song, and seen every music video and concert that the group had released, going back to 2019 before the history-making announcement that they debut alongside SixTONES, but I had never seen them live.
To say I was excited was an understatement.
While 55,000 fans gathered, giggling and glistening with anticipation, I started to take in everything around me. The first thing I noticed was the stage. It’s one thing to see it on Disc, but being there, live in person, the thing is massive! Lights flickered and flashed in a brilliant display while giant LED screens boasted the group’s name in brilliant HD, as were the nearly 55,000 penlights, each illuminated with one or more colors associated with the holder’s favorite group members.
Then, without warning. Darkness! Blasted with the sound of 55,000 voices crying out in excitement, I had to remind myself, you’re here as a member of the press. Be professional. Then, the introductory film started to play. Each member of the group portrayed a super-spy, something of a cross between a slick and sleek James Bond and a hot and handsome superhero. When Meguro Ren appeared, with his bright, boyish smile, I forgot myself and cried out in excitement! But, in my defense, he’s my oshi (favorite).
As the film faded to its finish, the group descended from the ceiling, their handsome and happy faces, broadcast on the screen behind them as they performed their debut single “D.D.” dressed in faux fur dyed to match the group member’s specific color.
Once they were lowered to the safety of the stage they spun right into their second single (and first English language track) KISSIN’ MY LIPS, and they included the song’s iconic chair choreography! As one of the songs I can confidently sing along to, let’s say, I was lip-syncing for my life with this song.
Moving into their third single “Grandeur” I realized how the group was managing to utilize the entire stage, even as a thick fog moved in. It gave the song a mysterious sort of flavor which was interesting – different, but interesting.
The next song in the set was “Nine Snow Flash” which is always one of my favorite parts of the concert because while the group is introducing one another, each one of them gets to spend a moment in the spotlight. Of course, I giggled and blushed when Meguro did his bit. He could have been saying “I like moldy cheese and anchovy pizza,” and I still would’ve thought it was the cutest thing ever.
As the stage started to move, fans on the opposite side of the main stage got a chance to see the group up close. Every Johnny’s show is a spectacle, but again, no matter how many times you watch one of their shows on home media, seeing it live, it’s just a whole different level of awe-inspiring showmanship.
Stand-outs from the concert included the unit numbers from the new album “Gotcha!” by Mukai and Abe is fun, funky, and dripping with a disco-style influence that made it one of the album’s top tracks for me.
“Vroom Vroom Vroom” performed by Miyadate, Iwamoto, and Fukazawa has a distinctly 90s sound and is incredibly goofy (in the best way possible).
“Two” by Meguro and Watanabe is one of those standard-style ballads that make use of the soft power of their voices.
“Bass Bon” from Raul and Sakuma is hands down my favorite track on the album. The industrial beat and the way these two work the stage with their fierce and almost inhuman dancing will never not be awe-inspiring to me.
“Snow World,” which is one of my favorite music videos, was also one of the coolest parts of the concert! First, each member had his own truck (painted in their member color of course) where they shot signed softballs into the crowd. Sadly, I did not take home snowballs, but it was still cool to see, and at the end of the segment was an explosion of confetti.
During the song “Kimi no Kareshi ni Naritai” (English: “I Want To Be Your Boyfriend”) Meguro “accidentally” proclaimed “Please be my boyfriend!” instead of “Please be my girlfriend” as initially written. It was a simple yet sweet display of allyship, which given a lot of the world’s climate towards the LGBTQ+ community, was incredibly poignant.
“POWEEEEER” was a song featured in the “Power Up Your Refreshment” Japan national TV campaign from Minitia Candies and I have been waiting to see it live since I first saw the commercial on YouTube. “Crazy F-R-E-S-H Beat” was my music video introduction to the group and is always just an absolute joy to see them perform live – and no, it’s not JUST BECAUSE Sakuma flashes his incredible abs. It’s a great song.
My absolute MOST FAVORITE moment of the entire concert came during the encore performance of “HELLO HELLO” which is also my most favorite song the group has ever released. The group threw flowers into the audience and in a moment of cuteness, Watanabe tried to give flowers to the most adorably shy little boy. He didn’t want to accept the gift at first but eventually gave in.
The concert closed after a special performance of Brother Beat where the guys sang different parts than what they normally did. As another favorite track, it was fun to see them try and mimic one another. After a shower of white balloons and silver streamers, the lights came up and the show was done.
It was like waking from a bright and dazzling dream. Stepping back into the real world my mind was spinning. Now that I’d seen the concert, how was I going to put it into words – without sounding like a complete and totally biased fanboy?
I tried. For weeks. But the truth is,I can’t do it. I am not going to pretend like if these nine guys chose to sing the phonebook, I wouldn’t have it on constant repeat. They’re just that good. Seeing them live was the experience of a lifetime. One I hope to repeat as many times as I can.
More Snow Man soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 