BABYMETAL’s first organized festival FOX_FEST 2024 @ Saitama Super Arena
Live report of BABYMETAL’s first organized festival “FOX_FEST 2024” held at Saitama Super Arena on May 25, 2024 (CHO-MOSH pit).
Some of you who have attended past metal festivals in Japan such as LOUD PARK and KNOT FEST may have been under the impression that there were not enough artists performing. But don’t worry, it was a great festival!
Artists
Participating artists were ELECTRIC CALLBOY, POLYPHIA, Bilmuri, METALVERSE, and ASTERISM, who all gave outstanding performances. In addition, “Akako Kinzoku” was suddenly decided as OPENING ACT just before the event, and decided to participate fully.
Since there are multiple stages at FUJI ROCK and other large-scale festivals, there is no way to see all the artists, but since FOX_FEST is a single stage, I was able to see all the stages.
Growing Expectations
What the hell is “赤子金属”?
The opening act “Akago Kinzoku” was hastily announced just before the festival. As you can imagine from the name, this is a special unit of three unidentified METALs, exclusive (?) to FOX_FEST. As you can imagine from the name, this is a special unit of three unidentified METALs. They performed without microphones, with their faces obscured by Akako Metal’s fans. This kind of surprise only available at the live is the best, and I was so excited. Thank you, KOBAMETAL!
Will there be a first live performance of a collaborative song? Yes.
From the menus of this festival, the much talked about ELECTRIC CALLBOY collaboration RATATATA and Brand New Day (feat. Tim Henson and Scott LePage) from the 2019 BABYMETAL album “METAL GALAXY” are 100% You’re expecting a MAXIMUM of first-time collaborations.
Since KOBAMETAL’s preliminary interview article reveals that there are “other artists who were coordinated to perform but were not able to make it”,
- Distortion (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
- PA PA YA!! (feat. F.HERO)
- METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello)
- LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND (F.HERO x BODYSLAM x BABYMETAL)
I am sure that there were offers to artists who have collaborated with BABYMETAL in the past, such as “BABYMETAL”, and this makes me look forward to the next FOX_FEST Vol. 2.
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Kingslayer’ ft. BABYMETAL, who have already performed together at NEX_FEST.
Who is the artist “BILMURI”?
Perhaps by far the dark horse among the artists performing was BILMURI.
One of the best parts of festivals is meeting artists you don’t know. When I went digging for songs by the festival artists beforehand, BILMURI, who I had never seen before, really stuck out to me.
BILMURI is the project of Johnny Franck, former clean vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Attack Attack!
BILMURI’s recent songs are based on heavy sound backing by Johnny Franck (Vo+Gt) and Reese Maslen (Gt+Vo) on low 3-string power chords with DADGAD tuned guitars. Gabi Rose (Sax+Vo) and Xavier Ware (drums) create a unique worldview with a good sense of chaos.
The sense of unity created by Johnny (main Vo), Gabi (Sax), and Reese (Gt) can only be experienced live, and we hope to see them again in Japan.
Unfortunately, Gabi did not come to Japan for FOX_FEST, and Yukko Miller played saxophone.
According to the recent LIVE video, it is a band formation without Bass, making good use of the backing track.
“Attack Attack! – Stick Stickly” was played during the guest SE, but the response was not very strong, so I will proselytize. I thought this would give you a sense of what a model metalcore band they are.
I don’t think this was KOBAMETAL’s song of choice…was it the work of a bone DJ?
There was also Sakanaction, wasn’t there?
Bone DJ: The waiting SE was DJ time by a group of human bones. You can see the bones on the screen by the stage.
Set list
赤子金属
Megitsune EDM remix version
METALVERSE（Guest Band ASTERISM）
- Crazy J
- GIZA
- Gurenge 紅蓮華 (LiSA cover)
- Naked Princess
BILMURI
- Better Hell
- ABSOLUTELYCRANKINMYMF’INHOG
- FLUORIDEINTHEHARDSELTZERWATER
- 80/20 SKYBEEF
- ALL GAS
- BLINDSIDED
- BOUTTA CASHEW
- myfeelingshavefeelings
Electric Callboy
- Intro / Tekkno Train
- MC Thunder II
- Spaceman
- Everytime We Touch
- Hypa Hypa
- MC Thunder
- PUMP IT
- MINDREADER
- WE GOT THE MOVES
POLYPHIA
- Loud
- Chimera
- Goose
- 40oz
- ABC
- Champagne
- Euphoria
- Playing God
- G.O.A.T
BABYMETAL
- BABYMETAL DEATH
- Distortion (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
- PA PA YA!! (feat. F.HERO)
- BxMxC
- Brand New Day (feat. Tim Henson and Scott LePage)
- METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello）
- Megitsune
- RATATATA
- Gimme Chocolate!!
- Road of Resistance
