Justin Nuoffer
Babymetal
w/ Scene Queen
11/24/24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/Muoffermedia.com
With the fall weather turning into winter, a few snowflakes fluttered across the sky. Despite the cold air a line began to form early outside of the Midwest’s crown jewel, The Sylvee. The age range was vast. Young and old. Friends and family. All types of fans littered the line that wrapped around the corner and down East Washington Ave. In the distance, the state capital’s domed top barely poked through the clouds, and yet somehow the golden lady Wisconsin still shined. The glass covering the front of The Sylvee’s building reflected rays of light. That brightness was a sign.
The doors opened and the flood of people moved through the four pairs of glass doors and into security. Once checked the merchandise stand is off to the right and the line started right away and never let up. The main floor opens up to reveal stairs straight ahead. Additional standing room spots next to drink rails wrap around this main floor. A long bar packed with people is against the wall next to the main entrance. Above the main floor are two more levels. The second floor features two rows of seats that wrap around the main floor and the third and top levels are six suites. These suites feature a private bar and seating for all of the guests. These suites also have a private door where you can walk in and skip the line. These perks are nice for shows like these.
The tour opener is a unique artist who goes by Scene Queen. Her self-described genre is known as bimbo core. The stage is completely covered in pink and a drum kit sits center stage. On each side a scrim stands with different phrases “Hot Singles In Your Area” and “Listen to Scene Queen”. The Scene Queen dances across the stage and comes to the edge regularly to engage the crowd at every opportunity. With tracks off of the Bimbocore and Bimbocore, Vol.2 EPs she could have filled her set with the tracks that built her popularity. However, the setlist was split between those and the new full-length album released in June of this year. Her opener “Pink Push-Up Bra” from the latest album Hot Singles in Your Area shook the floors with heavy bass drops. The first four tracks “18+”, “Mutual Masturbation”, and “MILF” were all from that release.
The boisterous feminist and her sometimes raunchy lyrics were welcomed by the mostly female audience. The no-regrets mantra is a breath of fresh air and the attitude was noticeable from the start. The beats were infectious and the metalcore grooves made you want to open the pit up. Scene Queen got her point across easily, and it is no wonder she is considered one of the rising artists to watch for next year.
The headliners for the evening are the kawaii metal goddesses, Babymetal. They have been a band for nearly fourteen years but released their first full-length self-titled album in 2014. Since then, they have taken over the world’s stages and have released multiple live albums. With the lights bathing the stage in red, the Kami band took the stage to roaring applause. The venue’s atmosphere was on a whole higher level than one could ever imagine. Opening with “Babymetal Death” sets the tone. The three vocalists and dancers – Su-metal as the lead with Moametal and Momometal as the support – move together as a unit wearing traditional Japanese garb to complement their choreography. Every move they make is timed and very specific to the current track. Every aspect of their stage work is to enhance the fun.
During “Pa Pa Ya!!” the three metal maidens took to individual stands that lined the front of the stage and waved scarves around and over their heads. The crowd was raging and reciprocated the actions with whatever they had or could find. Hats, scarves, shirts, you name it they waved it. Momometal smiled and gave out the heart hand sign with glee. The front row filled up with the same action. The middle of general admission flowed like an ocean wave of hands and limbs. The pure amplification of joy filled the spacious Sylvee walls. The addictive chorus of “Pa Pa Pa Pa Ya” vibrated into the earlobes. Moving deeper into the performance the Kami Band, who are the metal-masked devils draped in black robes, individually have a spotlight dropped on them from overhead. The highly skilled musicians shined while delivering solos and heavy riffs, but once that last spotlight faded over the drum kit, the lights went completely out. With a simple ting and light flick, the intro to “Metal” started. The track released as a single in 2023 struck a chord with fans. The large screen against the back of the wall flashed through various images associated with Japanese culture. The song features a spoken-word moment with Momometal out front, and as the lighting dropped a large dark sun appeared in the background. Momometal speaking(translated) and dancing, “Dancing looks like a fool, a fool. If you’re the same fool, then dance. But if you’re dancing here, when will you dance? Dancing! Dancing!” the massive backing screen again flashed “Are you ready?” and the beat kicked in with Tom Morello’s part of the solo ripping through the crowd. The circle pit in the middle of the floor sent crowd surfer after crowd surfer over the front barricade. Steam rose from the crowd. Immediately, the Kitsune hand gestures filled the air.
The back half of the show amplified the fun with a slew of their hits. Starting with “Megitsune” and Suimetal walking and singing with the kitsune mask while the others are dancing and kicking their way into the hearts of the crowd. Then all hell broke loose during “Ratatata”. Their most recent release was co-written with Germany’s party metal masters Electric Callboy. Every move from the music video was performed. The Electric Callboy parts were looped in and their video cuts were run in sync. The production was off the charts! The song brought on a flood of crowd surfers, the likes of which The Sylvee hasn’t handled in a long time. The floors shook as the venue turned into a giant danceteria. The momentum never slowed down either considering next up was “Gimme Chocolate!!”. The song that launched their growing fame within the US echoed through every corner. Around the room, fans moved and shook their bodies. Their arms flailed and their faces were illuminated with smiles and happiness. Babymetal and the Kami band perform the track to perfection. Ten years later it still feels fresh and new. The placement of it had to of been strategic.
That warmth leads into and through the short encore break and another vintage Babymetal tune “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”. With the band’s logo stretched across the screen behind the ladies of Babymetal, they once again moved as a unit and encouraged a mass headbanging moment. Their control of the crowd was gripped tight. Hair flew back and forth as the chants accompanying the lyrics infiltrated the air. Everything was overwhelming, but closing with the anthemic “Road of Resistance” was the sweet cherry on top of it all.
Ending the show with their traditional screaming of “We are Babymetal” and a waving of a flag with their insignia in red, white, and blue. They then came together and skipped off the stage as one. Not a single person left during the encore. This was one of the few times attendees at The Sylvee were fully engrossed by a performance.
Having to leave the venue was a sad experience. No one wanted the show to end. The lively performance was everything you hoped it would be. Babymetal answered every question and checked every single box. Crossing through the merchandise line to reach the exits, it was hard to forget how electric the atmosphere was. Reaching those cold Madison streets and looking up at the marquee, the first thought that crossed one’s mind was wanting them to come back again. The metal purists will gatekeep, but there is no denying that metal breaks into a million subgenres and they can spend their days complaining and not enjoying what is in front of them. Babymetal are authentically themselves, showing off their culture, and having fun while doing it. The mixture is pure art and is a fantastic break from the monotony of constant breakdowns and guttural screams. Besides you could just watch the Kami band and arrive at the fact that they are metal as hell. Those that are bound to piss and whine regardless need to hike up their camo shorts, put on deodorant, and have a little fun in their lives. Babymetal is the gift that keeps on giving.
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