“WHEREVER YOU ARE,” you’d want to be here—at JO1’s electrifying Los Angeles stop, kicking off March in the best way.
The 11-member Japanese boy group—Sho, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Keigo, Takumi, Syoya, Shosei, Sky, Shion, and Issei—returned to LA for the first time since 2023, bringing their WHEREVER WE ARE tour to the iconic and intimate Belasco Theater.
Formed through Produce 101 Japan with over 65 million votes, JO1 has carved out a dedicated fanbase worldwide, a fact made crystal clear by the deafening screams and overwhelming support from their U.S. fans, known as JAMs.
The energy was already sky-high before the first note played, with fans chanting “JO1” in unison. Adding to the excitement? A special birthday celebration for member Ren!
As the colored lights took over the stage, the group emerged in black jackets with reflective silver details, instantly commanding the stage.
JO1 opened the show with “Love Seeker,” though you could barely hear the track over the crowd’s enthusiastic singalong—especially during the catchy “lalalala” sections. From the start, the group showcased their signature high-energy, synchronized choreography.
The momentum continued with “HAPPY UNBIRTHDAY,” a jazzy, hip-hop-infused number, and “Move the Soul,” both of which had the entire venue grooving, me included!
It’s no surprise JO1 holds eight No. 1 songs and two chart-topping albums on Billboard Japan, with “Wandering” achieving double-platinum status.
That star power shone through in the next set, as they powered through “GrandMaster,” a performance so intense it left even the audience breathless. The dance breaks seamlessly transitioned into “Where Do We Go,” a guitar-driven track that felt like the perfect metaphor for the night—wherever JO1 goes, the fans follow.
Taking a break to introduce themselves, each member was met with an eruption of cheers. They expressed their excitement about their first-ever solo U.S. tour, reflecting on their past KCON performance and sharing their L.A. bucket list, which included one key mission: eating “big, big lobster.”
Things cooled down (literally) with “ICY,” described by Ren as “cool, mysterious, and a little bit sexy”—and he wasn’t wrong. With flashing blue stage lights mirroring the song’s breezy, beachy vibe, it felt like a TikTok dance challenge waiting to happen. And yes, I I I SEE this song making it onto my playlist.
Next came “Black Out” and “Love & Hate,” showcasing some of the night’s most intense floor choreography and vocal highlights.
Then, a shift in mood: The members took their seats for a heartfelt ballad section, delivering balladic performances of “Sugar” and “Blooming Again” under soft spotlights as the audience swayed along.
But JO1 didn’t let us linger in our emotions for too long. The energy snapped right back with “HIDEOUT,” “Lemon Candy,” and “STAY,” radiating pure joy through their high-energy stages which was fun for not just the audience but the members themselves too.
As the show neared its end, the group had one last surprise: A birthday cake for Ren! The audience joined in to celebrate, making for a wholesome moment before the final stretch.
Leader Sho took the mic, promising, “Your souls are amazing because we came here for the second time since 2023. We will come back again, I promise. I love you so much.”
Each member expressed their gratitude in their own way, from heartfelt messages to playful shoutouts.
Then came the encore—and let me tell you, they weren’t done with us yet. The group fired up the crowd one last time with “Trigger,” “SuperCali,” “Walk It Like I Talk It,” and “Eyes On Me,” leaving no doubt that, yes, our eyes were definitely on them.
The grand finale, “Test Drive,” had me jumping despite standing for nearly two hours—except, surprise! They Lied to You and returned for one more with “RadioVision.”
This was my first J-pop concert, but it won’t be my last.
JO1 brought their charm and intensity to the stage, proving they’re a must-watch group for fans of any genre. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you might just be missing out. Until next time!
Photo Courtesy: Dakota Threats
FOR MORE OF JO1:
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | X | WEBSITE
