The point of going to a rock concert is more than hearing the music: you come to see what happens on stage, but you often found yourself shaped by what’s happening around you in the crowd. The vibe, the energy and the ground-shaking shouting, cheering and singing along are what make the live experience complete.
After more than three years of a long wait, fans will soon watch Japan's One Ok Rock rocking out Vancouver again.
One Ok Rock is a four-piece rock band formed in 2005 in Tokyo. Since their debut in 2007, the band’s emo and rock-based songs coupled with their aggressive live performances have quickly attracted a large number of fans, especially from the younger generation.
Using both Japanese and English lyrics in their songs, the band rose to international fame around 2012 as their sixth album Jinsei×Boku= was released, leading them to concerts and music festivals outside of Asia.
“It went from zero immediately to 1000,” said William Lam, a Vancouverite who went to the band’s last concert in Vancouver in 2019. “The place just started jumping immediately and never died down for the entire night!”
“They really got the crowd going, knew what to say and how to keep us wanting more,” Lam added.
After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the popular band is finally returning to North America this fall, bringing English pop-punk band You Me At Six and English pop-punk band Fame on Fire along for the run. Their Vancouver show takes place October 15 at downtown's Harbour Event and Convention Centre.
The J-rock band’s vocalist Takahiro Moriuchi recently took to Instagram and posted: “Finally!!! As Japan has yet to allow (spectators to make) sounds at concerts, those who wish to come please join!”
Don’t cheer, don’t shout: Silent crowds in Japan in the COVID era
When the pandemic set in, Japan imposed a ban on yelling and singing at stadiums in early 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID.
Since then, silence has become the soundtrack of many musical and sports events, including the Olympic games.
In November last year, the restrictions were loosened as new COVID cases dropped in Japan. According to the new rule, for events within 50 per cent capacity, shouting and cheering by spectators are allowed; for 100 per cent capacity, spectators are still prohibited to make sounds.
On social media, people are sharing their recent experiences of going to concerts in Japan, saying most of them are still prohibiting cheering.
“It's OK... (The audience) move their head left and right in a regular rhythm while clapping their hands,” a Reddit user commented. “Or do a repetitive hand thrust in the air.”
Other people pointed out that “the fear of COVID is still strong” among organizers, and most events are “focusing on ticket sales,” trying to get full capacity and “recoup all the money they’ve lost these last two years.”
“That would be sort of awkward for a music show,” said Lam. “The screaming, shouting and singing together is an integral part of the live experience — it’s a display of passion more than anything else.”
Lam already got his ticket and can't wait to watch the band live and relive the exciting experience he had more than three years ago.
“They kept the energy up the entire time. There was not really any chance for you to take a break from all the excitement, but that was not a bad thing — they were really, really amazing.”
