It would be an understatement to say fans were highly anticipating Ado’s first concert in San Jose. The long line of attendees snaked around the venue and across a few blocks. It didn’t help that the concert was delayed an hour, allegedly due to some technical difficulties. Despite the wait, fans were more than ready for Ado, as many came dressed in tour merch or wearing outfits that incorporated Ado’s signature blue rose, a symbol of dreams coming true.
After everyone was able to get into the venue and settled into their seats, the faceless singer made her grand entrance to the stage with her bold debut original song, “Ussewa.” Just as she burst onto the scene with much fanfare, the crowd went wild at seeing her live, welcoming her to San Jose. Performing against a gigantic screen that engulfed the entire stage and all kinds of special effects from sparklers to flames, the show was a whole spectacle. Her captivating performance of “Show” was served with sass and theatrical flair, bringing up the energy in the venue.
A crowd-favorite was her cover of “Aishite Aishite Aishite.” For this performance, she impressively demonstrated her range and control, oscillating between gentle and sweet vocals to gravelly and desperately passionate. Meanwhile, a personal highlight was Ado’s performance of “Elf.” While the song deviates from her usual style, the elegant ballad is enchanting in its own way with a slow and steady rhythm, reminiscent of a regal march. Her impassioned singing emphasized the lyrics and delivered the meaningful message about remaining true to yourself, running toward the light, and staying strong despite the challenges. The catchy, yet bittersweet post-chorus of “Adieu, adieu / Love you and you? / Adieu, adieu” was sure to linger in the minds of listeners even after the song ended.
While Ado performs live shows as a silhouette, she proved that it’s possible to entertain and be incredibly expressive all without needing to show her face. The performer is constantly moving about, striking poses, and dancing, commanding the stage with her presence. Most importantly, she is a powerhouse vocalist, and though her setlist was incredibly tight, she delivered each song fiercely, with barely any breaks in between. She’s an electrifying force, energizing the audience with boundless intensity. What’s more, she can do it effortlessly. Flexing her vocal power and stability, Ado nearly performed the entirety of “Lucky Bruto” alternating between laying on her back or stomach, while casually kicking her legs in the air.
As the tour is titled Hibana, Ado couldn’t go without singing the track itself. The upbeat song had attendees on their feet to wave and roll their penlights and headbang. Kicking things up a notch, she yelled, “Are you ready to dance?” The crowd roared back with a resounding yes. She swiftly moved into “Odo,” commanding the audience to dance along. The live band’s instrumentation combined with the eclectic synth punched up the energy. Together with the fans, Ado and the band jumped in a frenzy, and the venue was transformed into a club.
“It’s so surreal to see all of you here,” Ado began. The singer said her journey started when she was singing alone in her closet, and her mom would tell her to tone it down. Struggling to find her purpose, she shared, “I was alone the whole time.” Ado admitted that she’s still somewhat of a gloomy person, but now she’s living out her dream, traveling the world and performing for throngs of adoring fans. Leaving the audience with one final song, Ado performed the uplifting “New Genesis.” The soaring lyrics of building your own bright future raised the crowd’s spirits. She ended the night on a high note, warm words full of gratitude, and a promise to return.
