Babymetal – Saturday April 2nd 2016
On April fool’s Day Babymetal unleashed their new album, Metal Resistance, on the world. You could forgive yourself thinking that this could be one huge April fool joke but remember Gmail was announced to the world on April 1st 2004. To support their release Babymetal kicked off their world tour in London with a concert at the SSE Wembley Arena. The arena has a capacity of 12,500 according to Wikipedia and it’s interesting to note the differing accounts of the audience size for the show in these reviews:
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/music/505581/babymetal-review-wembley-sse-arena
http://www.upsetmagazine.com/live-reviews/babymetal-business-wembley/
http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-04-04/6-things-we-learned-at-babymetal-s-wembley-arena-show
The daily star didn’t even bother to use photos from the show.
As I sat looking out over the seating and floor area’s I’d say that 8,000 was a more likely figure, there was plenty of space left in standing and lots of empty seats. That said it was still an impressive crowd for a band that divides opinions so widely.
The day for my partner and I started in bright sunshine heralding the dawn of spring but that didn’t last as we got off the train at Wembley Central to a light drizzle and grey leaden skies. It’s a short walk to Wembley Stadium and the Arena from the station and we had time to spare so ventured into the shopping area. We had a few hours to kill so I thought it’d be a good idea to go to the Library next to the arena. Yes OK I forgot it was Saturday and when we got there it was shut. However we passed the arena which was thronged with people waiting to get in and also a massive queue for an outside merchandise stall. It was there I saw an anomaly, someone was dressed as one of the musicians all in white with white face they really stood out amongst the sea of black. Here we noticed lots of Japanese (not surprising because Babymetal are from Japan), lots of people in black (de rigeur clothing for a metal head) but also a fair few ladies and one man!! Wearing tutus. I wondered aloud to my partner if there was a special on-line clothing firm doing a roaring trade in Babymetal skirts. Food for thought but not for the stomach so time to find somewhere to fill up. We decided on Nando’s and got seated quite quickly. Fed and beer’ed next stop was Tesco for some more beer before having to purchase the ridiculously expensive water at the arena. However the special offer on G&T was too tempting and we left can’s in hand to find somewhere warmer to drink them.
Having polished off the G&T we headed in to the arena passing through the now usual bag and body search. I had a nice chatty man search me who I wished a good evening free of trouble. Wow the locusts had certainly done a good job on the merchandising as a very long queue was informed by security that everything had been sold! Passing one of the open doors we caught a glimpse of the Radio 1 rock show DJ doing his set. Hmm I only heard a piece of one song but I’m not sure why he thought Jay-Z and “99 problems” was suitable for a metal gig, so it was off to the toilet and bar!
We made our way to our seats in time for the alleged start and once in our seats I noticed several children in the crowd. Now I know it’s Babymetal but children as young as 6/7, I’m not so sure. This prompted a discussion with my partner who though that music should be available to all. I agree with that but remember this is a metal concert where the sound systems usually push 100 decibels or more and whilst Babymetal don’t swear (at least not in English) that’s too loud for young ears unless they are protected.
Then video screens kicked into life and the funeral march of “Babymetal Death” booms out across the arena. Up pop the 3 singers on an extended stage in the middle of the floor whilst their white shrouded musicians keep in the background. The stage is meant to resemble a temple which each player in an alcove. However to me it reminded me of the alien spaceship the crew of the Nostromo found in “Alien”. I’ve no clue as to what “message” Babymetal are trying to get across with their fox god and the like and I’m not bothered because I’m here for the music.
Babymetal are a very polished act which you can see throughout their choreographed dance routines, stage movement and song changes. Yet despite this they grab you by the scruff of the neck and hurl you into the maelstrom of thrashing guitars and overpowering metal melodies. Then comes the part that I think divides people: they start to sing. At first their voices are grating, they seem way too high for the metal infused music with its heavy bass line but once your ears adjust they begin to blend with the speed metal being thrust out over their heads by the group.
As I said the show is very polished and has everything in it, costume changes, video overlay and interludes, fireworks and solo performances for the band as a way of introducing themselves to us. Looking around I can see that everyone has been caught up in the atmosphere being generated by the band as a whole. Eventually a small mosh pit forms that grows throughout the show into a large cyclone of demented fans. The set is a mix of their 2 albums and the new music sounds really good and more so if you can forget (and forgive) them for parodying Star Wars and misappropriating the devil horns sign of metal as a sign of their fox god.
Before the start of the gig I saw a Norwegian flag which was joined by Japanese, French, British, Irish and many others during the song “The One”. We are also shown a live video feed from Japan which sends the crowd into a frenzy again and perhaps Babymetal’s intention is for us all to be “One”.
Before the encore I visited the bathroom and chatted with a chap, we both agreed that the band are very accomplished metal musicians who, with a more grizzled lead singer, would not be out of place as a speed metal group.
At the end the lights came up and we all trooped out in the cold damp night of Wembley. They have a huge faithful following and yet some, like me, still feel a little bit weird after witnessing the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut that is Babymetal. Will I go again? Only time will tell but for now I leave feeling uplifted.
My review score: 9
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