"Kimi to Band" is gaining attention as an up-and-coming indie girls' band. The Sapporo stop of their new album release & 4th-anniversary tour was held on Sunday, October 13th, at SOUND CRUE in Sapporo. Domingo published an interview with the band before the concert, and now we bring you the follow-up! Here is our live report from the Sapporo show, which marked the halfway point of their tour.

Click here for the pre-show interview

A feeling of "We've been waiting!" swirls through the venue

Mai Ohno on drums

This was their first Sapporo performance in three years. The last one was held during the COVID-19 pandemic, so this could be considered their first show in a conventional format. It was also my first time seeing Kimi to Band live. The venue was swirling with the excitement of the "Kimi" (the name for their fans), who had likely gathered from all over Hokkaido.

As the crowd waited in anticipation, the venue went dark, and a huge cheer erupted. Vocalist Risako Morita, guitarist & vocalist Rio Kiyohara, and drummer Mai Ohno appeared on stage to an upbeat entrance theme. All three were dressed in pure white outfits, dazzlingly reflecting the stage lights. Welcoming shouts of "Okaeri!" (Welcome back!) filled the air. Unfortunately, bassist YUKI was absent due to illness. But you could see the determination in their faces, as if to say, "Let's make this show amazing for her too!"

Rio Kiyohara on guitar & vocals

The first song, "Kimi to Band," kicked off immediately. From the "Oh Oh Oh" chant in the intro, the sense of unity in the venue was at its peak. In our previous interview, Kiyohara said, "I want to show a cooler side of myself than I usually do," and her guitar playing lived up to those words, with a sharp contrast between when she was shredding and when she wasn't. Her occasional carefree smiles were captivating. Ohno maintained a crisp drum rhythm with a gentle smile. Morita commanded an overwhelming presence with her powerful vocals and expressions. To feel their passion for this long-awaited Sapporo show from the very first song was incredible...!

Vocalist Risako Morita

Without a moment to savor the feeling, they launched into the second song, "Slow Motion." The pop rhythm made you want to dance. The crowd responded enthusiastically to Kiyohara's call-outs. The sense of unity, which I thought was already at its max, grew even stronger.

Ballads reveal the deep trust between members

As the song ended, a huge cheer went up. "Sorry to have kept you waiting! We're finally back!" The venue responded with more cheers. Next up was "rosemary."

Morita sat down at the keyboard, her demeanor completely changing as she sang with gentle emotion. The ballads "Yumekoi" and "Sayonara Refrain" followed, showcasing her expressive range. The drum and guitar sounds perfectly complemented the warm atmosphere. The unity required for quiet songs was palpable, a testament to their superb teamwork.

The next song was "Koigokoro," written by Morita, from their new single "Thanks." It had a pop feel but was also satisfyingly infused with rock elements from the electric guitar. This was followed by the melodic hardcore intensity of "Midnight Scream." Then came "So high!" Just as Ohno had predicted in the pre-show interview, "This song will become a live staple," the crowd went wild, thrusting their hands in the air. Even though it must have been the first time most people had seen it live, they got into it perfectly, as if they had known the song for years. It was electrifying.

The ninth song was "Ano Basho e." During the chorus, the stage and the audience connected, thrusting their fists in the air. And then, the live classic "Koi no Monster"! The two vocalists jumping around cutely and the corresponding excitement from the "Kimi" were truly memorable.

The massive energy unleashed during the final song, "∞YAKEN," was a fusion of cuteness and rock passion. It strongly conveyed the essence of a "new generation girls' band," and with that, Kimi to Band's set came to a close.

A surprise during the encore. An unexpected song choice stirs the "Kimi"

As soon as they left the stage, a massive chorus of encores began. A staple of this tour has been a surprise during the encore, and for the Sapporo show, Morita was in charge.

She performed her solo song, "HORIZON." The unexpected choice sent a stir through the crowd. You could feel the "Kimi" listening intently, captivated by the rare performance of the song in Kimi to Band's style.

And then came "Spicy!," featuring Kiyohara's rap part. Kiyohara moved around fiercely. Not to be outdone, Morita climbed onto a platform, thrusting her arm in the air. The venue responded with all its might.

Finally, Kiyohara's MC. "The last time we came to Sapporo, we couldn't promise when we'd see you next, but this time we can make a promise! Let's meet at Zepp Sapporo next year!" Their previous Sapporo show was at a venue right in front of Zepp Sapporo, and now, just two years later, they are heading for their dream Zepp performance. For the "Kimi" who have been watching over them, it must have been a deeply emotional moment.

The final encore song was "Semishigure." Morita sang it with gentle emotion, and the audience listened intently. At the end, the three members lined up and took a deep bow. The Sapporo show concluded amidst the applause of the audience.

This was my first time attending their live show. I had only known their skills through their recordings, but a live performance is on a completely different level of energy. It wasn't just their playing; every single action captivated me and heightened my emotions. Next year, their biggest tour to date will begin. It was a time filled with the thrilling certainty that "they will definitely show us an even more grown-up version of themselves."

Later, we received comments from the members about their Sapporo performance.