The concert began with the opening act, Scene Queen. She describes her musical style as “bimbocore,” which combines hyperfeminine aesthetics with a mix of pop and metalcore breakdowns. Her vocals remind me of Kesha, while the feminist themes in her songs are reminiscent of Ashnikko. Before the concert, I listened to her recent album to familiarize myself with the songs she would perform, and I gained a lot of respect for her due to the themes she addresses in her music. One notable song, “18+," criticizes bands that hook up with underage girls while on tour. “18 plus, 18 plus. Get those children off your bus.” LOL. I love how bold she is. Another song that stood out to me was "Pink Push-Up Bra." It addresses the issue of sexual assault against women and highlights how it’s often excused with the phrase "boys will be boys." The song emphasizes that the perpetrator is usually someone familiar to the victim, but she is reclaiming her power.
“If I could go back in time, I’d put a gun in my bra. I’d point it straight to your brain ask if you like what you saw. You’d spend the rest of your days laying awake like I do ‘cause I don’t hate anyone, but I fucking hate you.”
The vicious lyrics delivered by Scene Queen take me back to the heyday of Jeffree Star’s music. I was genuinely excited to hear these tracks live, particularly my favorite, "Pink Rover." This song was my initial introduction to Scene Queen years ago and remains a standout in her discography. It is essentially about cutting a dude’s dick off for catcalling. It's violent but something I can get behind. LOL. Interestingly, the first song I encountered was "Are You Tired," released under the name RØSÈ. Her decision to rebrand as Scene Queen seems to have allowed her to fully embrace her identity and express herself more authentically. I admire her for taking this step, especially given the bold themes she explores in her lyrics. She joked at the show that these are her “man-hating” songs, but they are about serious issues women face. It’s likely that her candidness about the challenges faced by women in the music scene – and the pervasive misogyny that exists not only in the metal genre but across many musical landscapes – invites backlash. I’m sure she’s very familiar with the all-too-common label of being a "bitch" for speaking her mind and shedding light on these issues.
Next up is Babymetal! I last saw them in concert in 2016 at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. A lot has changed in the past eight years! They have released two more studio albums since then, and a new member, Momometal, officially joined the band in 2023, joining Su-metal and Moametal. Momometal was previously an Avenger (backup dancer) from 2019 to 2023 after Yuimetal left the band in 2018 due to health issues and her desire to pursue a solo music career. I hate to admit it, but I haven’t done a great job keeping up with Babymetal since Metal Resistance. I’ve been listening to the band throughout November, and I forgot how good their songs really are!
If you are unfamiliar with Babymetal, they are a Japanese kawaii-metal band that blends heavy metal with J-pop idol music to create a unique subgenre. Their performances feature vocals backed by a metal instrumental ensemble known as the Kami Band, and the three core members perform each song with synchronized dance choreography. Initially, Babymetal faced controversy as many metal elitists dismissed them as a manufactured pop act that wasn’t “real” metal. As someone who enjoys both metal and pop, I am thrilled whenever these two genres merge. I find it hard to relate to metalheads who only listen to the same death metal repeatedly. Those who once claimed that Babymetal was just a passing fad are now eating their words, as they are still around and bigger than ever after ten years. You’re not being edgy by stating that you don't like Babymetal. Bands like Babymetal serve as a gateway for non-metal fans, especially women, to discover metal. Fans often complain that metal has no relevance in today's music culture, but they remain resistant to anything fresh and new that could attract new listeners. It's time to make up your mind and stop gatekeeping metal; doing so prevents the genre from evolving beyond the nu-metal era of 20 years ago.
Babymetal has an extensive lore that I'd love to explore further to grasp the band's complex backstory. To summarize, Babymetal was created by the Fox God to combat the "power idols" that suppressed music. The band operated undercover within an idol group to prepare for what they call the Metal Resistance. The Fox God named the band Babymetal, meaning "the birth of the new metal." Their discography includes fun, lighthearted tracks like "Gimme Chocolate!" and more serious songs like "Monochrome." I've been listening to their recent album, "The Other One," and it's amazing —why did I sleep on this release last year? "The Other One" is a concept album, with each song portraying a parallel world encountered by Su-metal and Moametal during their journey through alternative realities after Babymetal took a year-long hiatus. They refer to this virtual realm as the Metalverse. I love how cinematic Babymetal's music is lol.
During their live performances, the girls showcased an incredible level of high energy that was truly mesmerizing. They danced seamlessly throughout the entire set, impressively maintaining their composure without breaking a sweat. It was fascinating to witness such enthusiasm from the crowd, especially on a Monday night when most people are winding down from the weekend. They were even moshing between sets to classic nu-metal anthems like “Chop Suey” and “Last Resort.” The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd being absolutely insane. I’m glad my tiny ass was up on the balcony after witnessing such chaos. The fans were loud and passionate, creating an intense, supportive environment. The band delivered an awesome setlist filled with classics, including fan favorites like “Megitsune,” “Gimme Chocolate,” and “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”
I was thrilled to hear them perform songs from their latest album, “Monochrome” and “Time Wave.” However, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that they didn’t include my all-time favorite Babymetal song, “Karate,” in their lineup. It’s always been a standout for me, and I wish it were still a staple in their current performances. However, I understand rotating songs in and out of setlists to keep things fresh and exciting. I even checked if they played it at the subsequent NYC show, but it wasn’t on the setlist. If I can’t hear “Karate” in NYC, then no one can. LOL. I know, I’m selfish. Despite my longing for “Karate,” I was absolutely delighted to hear them perform their new collaboration with Electric Callboy, “RATATATA.” The moment that song was announced—especially after our Electric Callboy show at Pier 17 earlier this year—I screamed internally with excitement. Given my love for their earlier collaboration with Bring Me the Horizon, I had high hopes for this new track, which did not disappoint. “RATATATA” has undoubtedly become one of my favorite songs of the year.
This year was incredible for live music, especially with standout performances from Electric Callboy, Slipknot, Korn, and Babymetal. I felt a renewed sense of excitement compared to the previous year, which only had Spiritbox in the lineup. Looking ahead to 2025, my anticipation is building with Poppy, Deftones, and Metallica shows on the horizon. On top of that, I can't help but manifest shows for Spiritbox and Bring Me the Horizon. Although, my manifestation is only going to hurt my bank account even more…
Set List:
1. BABYMETAL DEATH
2. Distortion
3. PA PA YA!!
4. DA DA DANCE
5. MEATLI!!
6. Monochrome
7. Time Wave
8. Megitsune
9. RATATATA (Babymetal & Electric Callboy)
10. Gimme Chocolate!!
Encore:
11. Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!
12. Road of Resistance
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