Review and Gallery by: Jaime “Chino” Flor
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory welcomed the international sensation, One Ok Rock, last Thursday night. Live Nation presents The Detox North American Tour and what an incredible show it was. The showmanship, stage presence, and energy was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This was definitely one of the best shows I’ve had the privilege to photograph.
I’ve been a fan of the group since I heard “The Beginning” in one of my favorite anime live-action movies back in 2012. With 10 studio albums produced, the group recently released Detox early this year. The multi-award winning Japanese rock powerhouse wasted no time announcing a world tour to promote the album. The tour also features Stand Atlantic and The Audacity for a few select shows.
“Bitch I’m like a cyclone entering a warzone!” Stand Atlantic kicks the night off with authority. The pop punk band from Sydney released Was Here last year as they ventured into different genres to experiment and create a different music from what they were known for. And they sound incredible. Most of their set is from the album and it does a great job of getting you hyped for the headliner. “Warzone”, “Kissin’ Killer Cobras”, and “Criminal” are my top three recommendations. They’re a fun group to follow on stage and everyone was ready and riled up by the end of their set.
Growing up in an environment heavily influenced by Japanese culture, it wasn’t hard to stumble across One Ok Rock. I remember watching the music video of “Wherever You Are” for the first time and seeing Taka sing with so much passion on stage. I knew then that they would be great to watch live. Not to mention how the fanbase I’ve spoken to before the show started has already spoken so highly of them, I was impatient for them to come out on stage. They did not disappoint.
Following their musical journey and evolution, this album does not fall short in solidifying their greatness. And they are by far one of the best live acts I’ve seen. High energy, great crowd interaction, and performing fan favorites from previous albums left me with an unforgettable experience. This is One Ok Rock. Thank you for an incredible show. Click HERE to follow the tour and 10/10 recommend you buy a ticket to see them in a venue near you.
