J-rock band ONE OK ROCK came back to North America for a short stint as part of their Premonition World Tour after announcing their eleventh album. It’s been two years since their extensive Luxury Disease 2022 North American Tour, and only a short while after completing their 2023 Japan leg of the same tour. Unlike the medium sized venues they played across a whopping 23 North American cities in 2022, they consolidated their efforts to perform at larger stadiums for this tour. With only two stops in North America this time around, OOR took the opportunity to perform at the Kia Forum, and in front of their largest crowd in Los Angeles yet. With a seating capacity of 17,500, fans flocked to see the band’s first stadium production in the U.S.
Going all out, Toru, Ryota, and Tomoya played an extensive intro to “Delusion:All” to rile fans up as they introduced their “PREMONITION” tour set. As the flashing lights and guitar feedback slowed down, Taka emerged center stage with a gas mask, reminiscent of the song’s theme of revolution. Then, Taka transitioned into a deep growl from “Deeper Deeper,” igniting the high-octane energy within the crowd. They showed off their upgraded, high-end stage production with an incredible coordination of flashing lights and background visuals.
Taking a break between songs to introduce themselves, the band had a few words for their fans: “We are ONE OK ROCK from Japan! We want to have a fucking great night with you guys, so let’s make it happen, ok? This next song is ‘Taking Off’ so let me see you fucking jump!” Fans in the pit and in the stands couldn’t help but do exactly what Taka asked of them, hopping to the beat of its pop-punk 2017 sound. After an English version of their 2022 track, “Save Yourself,” the quartet came to a pause after the culmination of their first four songs.
“This is the first time we’ve played here, and it’s so beautiful to see you all in a bigger venue,” said guitarist Toru. “I never dreamed we’d be able to perform for so many people in LA. I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming tonight,” added bassist Ryota. “I’m so happy to be here! I love In-n-Out! I love the Dodgers! And I love you guys,” screamed drummer Tomoya.
“This is crazy. We’ve finally made it to the legendary place, the Kia Forum,” commented vocalist Taka. “I’m living in LA now, but it feels like I moved here seven or eight years ago now. This is incredible, but we’re going to fill it up more with people from all around the world. ARE YOU READY?”
Focusing the next part of their set on their video game and film discography—“Vandalize” from Sonic Frontiers, “Make It Out Alive” from Monster Hunter Now, and “Renegades” from Rurouni Kenshin: The Final—the four members continued to keep the momentum going at maximum level. As the lyrics played behind them, the crowd sang along to every word even as Taka mixed in Japanese lyrics among the English ones. Even though collaboration tracks can be forgotten one-off singles, it’s clear ONE OK ROCK gives every song their absolute best.
Giving themselves a moment to breathe, Taka addressed the fans as Toru played an acoustic version of “Wherever You Are” as a backtrack. He expressed gratitude to the audience for getting them to this far and teased their ongoing work on their eleventh album. Showing off his range, Taka’s strong vocals tugged at heartstrings, a feeling heightened further after his emotional speech. Described as a unique and special tour, the members wanted to show a different side of ONE OK ROCK fans don’t often see. Performing an acapella version of “Take What You Want” during its first verse, Taka took a tearful pause as he looked straight into the crowd. Gently breaking the heavy air, the other members returned onstage and continued the track alongside him.
Reflecting on the past 10 years since their first U.S. performance at the Vans Warped Tour in 2014, they thanked the fans who’ve been with them since day one. “At the time there were only about 10 people in the crowd,” said Toru. “It was even at a DJ booth stage,” laughed Taka. “It was the BEATPORT stage, which was a fucking bullshit stage!” Taka also shared a story of how other rock bands questioned why they even bothered performing in the U.S. At the time, he didn’t speak English as well, so he responded to the aggressive question with a dumbfounded, “Hah?” Now, all the members speak fluent English and can carry a conversation with each other.
Suddenly, a 3D character of Taka appeared onscreen to remind him they must get back on schedule. These mascots appeared alongside ONE OK ROCK in a concert performance video of “Wonder” from their “Luxury Disease 2023 Japan Tour.” Here, fans get to see how they interact with the four members in English.
Starting the last quarter of their main setlist, the band traveled down memory lane to Jinsei×Boku=, the album that put their name on the worldwide radar. As they played the intro of “The Beginning,” the crowd was about to lose control. Of course, Taka was ready to pay that energy back in double during “Mighty Long Fall” as he motioned for the pit to part like an ocean. Once they opened a path for him, Taka joined in the chaos, moving to the barrier between the standing GA area and the floor reserved seats. Basking in the moment, he made sure to give fans plenty of fanservice as they handed him their phones.
“This is really important for us and for you guys too,” shouted Taka during the opening notes of “Stand Out Fit In.” He talked about the “craziness” happening in the world right now and touched on the themes of rebellion within the song. “Sometimes we have to stand up. Sometimes we have to step in, and that’s the sort of songs we create for the next generation. I’m fucking tired of this world and this whole system.”
After a short break, the members came back to perform their encore songs. After thanking the crowd once more, Taka took a moment to speak entirely in Japanese, as he felt comfortable delivering his passionate speech in his native language, and he asked for non-Japanese speakers to find the translation later online. Expanding on the message from “Stand out Fit In,” he recognizes the ongoing war that plagues the current state of the world: “There are people who are trying to speak out in the world, but can’t as their lives are being crushed, and their rights are stripped away by those with wealth and power.” Despite being a band, ONE OK ROCK believes they can change the world with rock music.
As a final surprise, they closed out the show with a music video teaser song for their new song “Dystopia,” they and let the world know that they’ll be back again for both a North and South American tour in 2025.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
Setlist:
- Delusion:All
- Deeper Deeper
- Taking Off
- Save Yourself
- Vandalize
- Make It Out Alive
- Renegades
- Wherever You Are
- Take What You Want
- Wonder
- Instrumental
- Prove
- Neon
- The Beginning
- Mighty Long Fall
- We Are
- Stand Out Fit In
Encore:
- We All Matter
- Wasted Nights
