She is Legend, the loud rock unit from the dramatic RPG "Heaven Burns Red," has burst out of the game world and into the live music scene. Their first live tour last year was a massive success, covering nine locations across Japan. Now, they are in the midst of their nationwide Zepp tour, "She is Legend Zepp Tour 2024 'We are Shunmin Ryodan,'" which kicked off this May.

Prior to their June 9th performance in Sapporo, Domingo published an interview with the duo about their aspirations. As a follow-up, we now bring you a live report from that electrifying Sapporo concert.

A Venue Engulfed in a Whirlwind of Frenzy. Maximum Voltage from the Very Start

At their Sapporo concert last October, the duo mentioned their dream of one day performing at Zepp Sapporo. Less than a year later, She is Legend made that dream a reality. The venue, packed to the rafters all the way up to the second floor, was already swirling with palpable heat from the moment I arrived.

At 5:00 PM sharp, XAI and Konomi Suzuki appeared on stage, bathed in crimson light. As the applause thundered on, the intro to "Shunmin Ryodan," the title track of their 2nd album, began to play. The Legenders (their fans) erupted in a massive roar, releasing all their pent-up energy! I was instantly captivated by the duo, who pushed the voltage to the absolute maximum from the very first note. They immediately launched into "Arifureta Battle Song ~Itsumo Sentou wa Mendou da~" and "Popcorn N' Roses," their powerful voices clashing and echoing throughout the hall.

Without a moment's rest, they powered through "Heartbreak Syndrome" and "Thank you for playing ~Anata ni Deaete Yokatta~." Konomi Suzuki, seemingly unfazed by the string of intense songs, sang with her entire body, while XAI, with her dignified presence, occasionally flashed a brilliant smile. As they progressed through the setlist, their individual personalities merged, shaping the atmosphere of the venue. The exquisite combination visible amidst the intensity spoke volumes of the deepened trust and rapport they mentioned in our previous interview.

The Raw Power of a Live Band and a Groove That United the Entire Venue

The sixth song was "Shiro no Jumon" (the She is Legend version of "White Spell"). In the MC just before, XAI teased, "We're going to play a song you all know," and the moment the intro started, a ripple of excitement went through the crowd. The immediate cheers that followed amplified the sense of unity in the venue. Next up was "Yamiyo no Komachi Vampire," a track that had just been released on May 31st. The rap part was a true battle between the two. As they exchanged lyrics with fierce energy, the audience joined in with a "Wow wow" chant, creating a true sense of "groove"!

In the following MC, XAI confessed she "sang while being emotionally shaken." Konomi Suzuki looked pleased, saying, "I'm so happy to be able to perform songs now that we were recording during the last tour." She also revealed that they have a recording session for a new song the following week.

The ninth song was an album track and XAI's solo, "Hi no Sasu Mukou e." A complete change from the intensity so far, her gentle voice was captivating. The contrast, and the way she sang as if speaking directly to each person, struck a chord in my heart. After finishing this song, which marked the halfway point of the concert, they introduced the band members. Then, they launched into the high-speed "Dance! Dance! Dance!" The quintessential vertical-beat rhythm, a must-have for live shows, got the crowd jumping, driven by the duo's soaring vocals. The sheer sound pressure, unique to a live band, was a powerful reminder that this was the real deal.

The Second Half: An Unstoppable Acceleration of Energy

During "War Alive ~Toki ni wa Yaburekabure ni~," every fist in the venue was raised high. The next song, "World We Changed," was one Konomi Suzuki had recommended in our previous interview as a track from "Shunmin Ryodan" that particularly resonated with her. True to her words, her powerful performance was unforgettable. She also mentioned this was the first song title they had a hand in deciding, which likely explains her deep connection to it.

In the final MC of the main set, the duo continued to hype up the crowd for the final sprint. The 13th song, "Burn My Soul," had the entire venue clapping and chanting from the intro. This was followed by the gentle yet driving "Houkago no Melody," and the emotionally refreshing "Shiniyuku Kisetsu de Boku wa." The final number was "Goodbye Innocence." The beautiful piano melody and the soaring high notes of the duo brought the main set to a close, showcasing a performance that was both tender and intensely emotional.