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Posted by J_Global436 pts 20 days ago
LIVE REPORT: Bishonen Arena Tour 2024 Gates+
STAR CONTRIBUTOR
Written exclusively for Tokyohive by Kat Gruss
Music. Variety. Acting. All of these are absolute cornerstones of the idol industry, but perhaps the most beloved are live concerts, and on March 30th, fans of the STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Junior group Bishonen
gathered at Yokohama Arena for their 2024 concert Gates +. Consisting of Taisho Iwasaki, Ryuga Sato, Yuto Nasu, Hidaka Ukisho, Naoki Fujii, and Issei Kanasashi, the six members put on a performance that dazzled fans over their concert’s three day run before heading on to next city of their national tour.
What impressed the most about the show was the quality of performances exhibited. Whether it be covers of their seniors’ songs such as Watashiby SixTONES or their own original songs remixed, the way Bishonen
sings is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s hard not to appreciate their vocal talents during the slower and more vocally challenging numbers.
Sing it, in particular, is a song that highlights their upbeat musical prowess. The performance begins with Bishonen standing in a line but quickly evolves up into one involving intricate choreography. The breath support needed to hit the soaring high notes of the song, as well a few falsetto ones, was masterfully exhibited by all of the members. This kind of skill allows Bishonen to play and have fun when performing in front of a live crowd, especially towards the end with member Taisho’s ad-libbing while the rest of the group remained constant on the beat. It is moments like these, where Bishonen can play around and have fun with their performances, that can make unique experiences at every concert.
Complementing their strong vocals was Bishonen‘s synchronized dancing. As an observer, their choreography seems rather challenging at times even for the experienced, but the way that they move–-hitting each formation and weaving around each other on stage–-makes for a spellbinding audience experience. This kind of high level of talent can especially be seen during performances like their original songs Sing it or a harder hitting song like Boom SHAKALAKA.
When you combine these two aspects of live performance, Gates + turns into a kind of showcase addiction. Whether it be Nasu
dancing his solo or Ryuga playing the piano, or the Broadway-esque tremble of Taisho’s self-produced original solo number, they all have the skills not only to make an interesting show but to keep you fixated and wanting for more.
Even looking past the fun and excitement as a fan, the technical aspects also shine. The way Bishonen have constructed their setlist makes for a unique concert experience. Right from the start, they hit fans with a wave of nostalgia thanks to an original remix of the classics of their 8 years together, delivered directly to everyone as a front-row experience thanks to the venue-spanning layout they each manage to traverse in full.
As the concert progresses, the songs are placed in a way that sprinkles additional excitement throughout by mixing in fan favorite commercial hits from senior STARTO acts with other original songs of their own. It’s subtle, but it’s a slow build in energy that isn’t jarring for the fans in the audience, building up to the surprise of a brand-new original song (always an eagerly anticipated treat for fans of Junior groups).
While their setlist at the 2024 new year show Act ONE showcased their eponymous ephemeral physical beauty (their group name literally translating to "pretty boys") as well as their music, the setlist of Gates+ shows that they have many more facets to their personality. Whether it’s upbeat songs like Big Wave!!!!!!, power ballads like Compassor dance numbers like Flicky, there isn’t a style of song that Bishonen cannot conquer.
But these performances also help to define who Bishonen
are for those meeting them for the first time. As a high energy song, Big Wave!!!!!! highlights the youthful energy of the group; the dance moves are simple, but the passion and drive they have bursts through them as they sing the chorus. Compass, on the other hand, is a comparatively traditional emotion-filled ballad which Bishonen handles with ease. Their soaring vocals and delicate dance steps become the perfect foil to the aforementioned song. While Flicky
showcases a more mature side to their performance style. The choreography, created by their senior, Hikaru Iwamoto
of Snow Man, is quite technically difficult but shows off how Bishonen
have honed their dance craft over their years as Juniors.
Each of these songs, as well as countless others spaced throughoutthe concert, are moments that show not only the fans but Bishonen
themselves that they can do anything they put their minds to. This diversity in style shows those attending that there is more to them than their physical beauty. There are layers and depth to them as a group that shines through each facet of the concert that extends past the outer layer.
Their newest original song unveiled on this tour, called Mahou no Yoru, is another style of music Bishonen proves they have the chops to challenge. Introing with a thumping standup bass and piano that quickly develops into pure finger snapping jazz vibes, it’s the kind of song that lets Bishonen show off both their aforementioned vocal and dance abilities while also being a legitimate highlight of the entire concert. The way that the boys handle the choreography is masterful, and it is easy to see why the song has already picked up so much traction among their fans.
One cannot enter a STARTO concert without mentioning the special effects used throughout the show, and Bishonen is no exception. Though their use of these effects in sparring, the way they use them in two particular performances shows an intelligence vast beyond their years. The use of smoke across the center stage as they dance Nee Motto creates an ethereal and almost dream-like quality to the performance. Contrasting that is the sparklers used in Flicky to create a cool, almost dangerous vibe to the song. The special effects in these moments enhance the viewing experience no matter where you sit in the arena.
But of course, the love of the fans is reciprocated in kind throughout the entire show. There isn’t a single moment where Bishonen
isn't looking out into their audience or engaging with people from the pit to the stands in some way. The amount of so-called “fan service” they give throughout the show is absolutely astounding, and it is truly heartwarming to even an impartial viewer to witness the display of mutual love and affection; as if it was produced in a way specifically to show fans how much they are appreciated.
Gates+ is a masterpiece from start to finish. Upon walking out of the concert among the energy of the 17,000 other patrons, you can bear witness to the energy and effect of a perfect show. Every detail, from how the concert should flow from song to song to what kind of special effects should be used, was perfectly thought out and demonstrated the degree to which Bishonen have continued to level up their abilities. We are so excited to see how they continue to evolve as idols and what comes next for them!
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