Project Description

ONE OK ROCK

@ THE TRIFFID

(6 / 10 / 2017) Live Review

Reviewer : Chloe Jover-Anderson

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One OK Rock

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ONE OK ROCK are the biggest rock band in Japan today, and have touched down in Australia and are currently wrapping up their tour. These dates are the band’s first headlining dates in Australia – previously playing Soundwave a few years back.

However, filling stadiums in Japan is not enough. ONE OK ROCK are on a mission to take their brilliant live show around the world and are stepping it up to a whole new level that simply cannot be ignored. These boys have done what many bands have dreamed of; and that is successfully entering the western market. There’s no denying the so far success of One OK Rock on a global scale and it’s exciting to see what is to come next.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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One OK Rock sold out all three Australian dates within hours of tickets going on sale and Brisbane was blessed to be the first date of tour. Doors opened at 8:00pm and the line stretched right around the block. A second line emerged once entering The Triffid for merch and let me tell you those shirts were flying like hotcakes. Entering through the blacked out doors towards the stage One OK Rocks’ banner filled the room – an almost outburst of colour.

While this was an all-ages show; the crowd was split for over and under 18s – with under 18s having to go upstairs to the mezzanine level. This is the first time I’ve seen under 18s unable to get to the floor level as usually the mezzanine is for 18+ only. In hindsight, probably the best decision as the unruly crowd below filled The Triffid right from front to back.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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It was announced the morning of the show from promoters that One Ok Rock were scheduled to go on stage at 10:15pm and with doors at 8:00pm I assumed there would be an opener. But was there? If you count a DJ set, then yes. Otherwise, not so much. While I’m aware that in Japan there tends to not be supports, but One OK Rock have previously just wrapped up their US leg of their tour with support Set It Off and had just announced the support, Crown The Empire for their upcoming European dates. Oh well, the crowd in Brisbane listened and sang along to alternative hits we all know and love such as Metro Station’s, ‘Shake It’ and The All American Reject’s, ‘Dirty Little Secret’. I must admit a two hour dj set to get you in the mood became a little tiring, with fans beginning to either 1. Lay on the ground; and 2. Dispersing the venue until closer to the time. For all the under 18 fans in the venue as well; a dj set must be a new experience for them.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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The crowd began to get on edge at about 10:00pm when venue signs said One OK Rock were due to start; but the lights finally dimmed and at 10:15 One OK Rock emerged.  ‘Bombs Away’ – was the first song of the evening and a plethora of hits followed.  One OK Rock filled their hour and a half set with ease – looking somewhat at ease and highly content on set – it was as though the show was just what they needed. The set list for the evening leaned towards their newer hits and releases.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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One OK Rock’s stage presence was impeccable just like the last time I saw them a few years back. There is no denying One OK Rock fill the description of stadium rock. They need to be heard by the masses and The Triffid as a venue (while such an amazing venue in itself) is no venue for One OK Rock. Bigger the better. Members Taka, Tomoya, Ryota, and Toru tore through the stage at ease. The whips of their hair, their sway and so called ‘attitude’ on stage was somewhat rythmatic. Also the bounces in their steps need a notable mention for themselves as well.

Frontman Taka thanked the crowd multiple times throughout the night for coming out to the show and listening to their music (with a bit of American twang in his voice to the crowd’s surprise).

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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One OK Rock ended each song like it was their last; giving almost enough time for the crowd to catch their breath and prepare themselves for what was yet to come. There was no denying we were in Australia with slang being hurled towards the band. There was a brief moment where the band was eyeing the crowd down and silence was filling the room when one yelled from the back ‘Taka you bloody legend’. Taka immediately cracked a smile and giggle. Other fans brought signs and held them in the air nice and high. A little later into the set and the band were playing ‘Take What You Want’ where halfway through the song they immediately froze. Utter silence and confusion filled and everyone was hoping no one would make a noise –  we wanted to make the moment pure. But the further the silence went along, Australian characteristics were breaking through and noises began to creep through. One OK Rock never broke from their frozen position until well over a minute.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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The most outcries and sing a longs came along with the bands’ 2010 hit ‘Wherever You Are’; when fans sung word for word in unison; with Taka leaning out into the crowd hearing all 600 in the room sing word for word (even the Japanese verses). Who knew that we all knew a bit of Japanese.  One OK Rock began to wrap up their set with ‘We Are’ before returning for an encore with the hit ‘American Girls’. Even changing the lyrics from ‘American Girl’ to ‘Australian Girl’ led the crowd to even more of a frenzy with fans not wanting to end the night. Crowds cheers, the band waved goodbye before taking a selfie with the sold out crows and then began to throw in the audience numerous drum sticks, sweaty towels, and guitar picks for fans down the front.

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ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK . Manning Bar Sydney . Photo – Malcolm Katon

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The crowd finally began to dissemble out into the street and formed right into the rest of the nightlife crowd on a Friday Night. I bet the kebab store right out front of the venue got their dollars.

There is no doubt One OK Rock are dominating the alternative rock music scene and filling up stadiums in a global platform is most definitely in their near future. Fans cannot wait to see them back down under sooner rather than later.

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One OK Rock

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Check out Malcolm Katon’s gallery of the Sydney show HERE

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AMNplify – DB