On the “Road of Resistance” with BABYMETAL on their 2024 US Tour
by Britney McVey | December 2nd , 2024
All images are from BABYMETAL’s 2024 USA TOUR on 11/29.
by Britney McVey | @britsdigitals
BABYMETAL has always been a force to be reckoned with, blending metal ferocity with J-pop precision, creating a unique experience. On November 29th, The Criterion in Oklahoma City played host to a night of unparalleled energy, as the Japanese sensation unleashed their "METAL RESISTANCE" on the crowd. With their signature blend of chaos and choreography, BABYMETAL delivered one of the most memorable performances of the year—one that left me in a state of awe.
From the moment “BABYMETAL DEATH” kicked off, the energy was set to 11, with the KAMI Band's crushing riffs and the trio (SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL) started what I would call a perfect storm of heavy metal precision. From the first blast of the guitars, the crowd was instantly engulfed in the band’s unique sound. It’s hard to describe just how effortlessly the mix of cute and brutal works in a live setting.
The next few tracks were a blur of energy and synchronization. “Distortion” and “PA PA YA!!” were jaw-dropping live — the rapid-fire rhythm section and melodies meshed effortlessly with BABYMETAL's energetic choreography, and you could feel the electricity in the air. The first surge of the crowd was impossible to resist — you didn’t have to want to be part of it, you were part of it. Every inch of the room was vibrating, every single person in sync with the rhythm, as if the music had physically connected us all.
MOAMETAL
by Britney McVey | @britsdigitals
There was an undeniable connection between the band and the audience, a bond forged through the shared love of the music. BABYMETAL has this rare ability to create a sense of community in the most unlikely of places, and in that moment, we were all part of something far bigger than ourselves. But it wasn’t just the tracks that made the night unforgettable. Because the KAMI Band? Their solos were nothing short of striking, with each guitarist, drummer, and bassist commanding the stage with virtuosic intensity. Hearing them in action is like seeing a force of nature at play. It was pure talent on display, and you could feel every note vibrate through your chest.
"Gimme Chocolate!!" was one of those songs that didn’t just get the crowd hyped — it felt like a collective energy from every person in the venue. There’s something incredibly cathartic about screaming the chorus to that song, and I was joining in with the crowd as I could not miss out on one of my BABYMETAL favorites. You didn’t just hear the song, you felt it, deep in your bones, as the atmosphere in the room shifted between playful and intense, much like the trio’s own likeliness.
The night was a wild fusion of chaos, joy, and adrenaline — an experience that left everyone feeling like they had just been part of something monumental. As people slowly began to make their way out, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air, a shared understanding that something unforgettable had just happened. If you were lucky enough to be there, you know you witnessed a show unlike any other. And if you weren’t, well — let’s hope MOAMETAL, SU-METAL and MOMOMETAL come back to the United States soon!
