Review: J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ PRESENTS “JSB LAND” at Kyosera Dome (Osaka)

J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ: Formed in 2010 with seven members, including performers NAOTO, Naoki Kobayashi, ELLY, Kenjiro Yamashita, Takanori Iwata, and vocalists Ryuji Imaichi and ØMI, they made their CD debut the same year. They received THE JAPAN RECORD AWARDS for 'R.Y.U.S.E.I.' in 2014 which became a trend with the 'Running Man' dance, and for 'Unfair World.’ in 2015. Starting from November 18, they embarked on their 6th dome tour, ‘J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ PRESENTS "JSB LAND",' beginning in Nagoya and concluding on December 23 in Osaka. Their total live attendance for 2023, including arena tours, exceeded 900,000, securing the top spot in the 'Live Annual Attendance Ranking.’ Here, we bring you the highlights of their concert at Kyocera Dome on December 21.

The arena featured a solid three-tiered cylindrical stage at the center. As the intro to ‘Awakening Light’ played, a circular screen rose up. Welcomed by enthusiastic cheers, the seven members of J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ appeared, delivering a passionate dance accompanied by bursts of flames. The momentum didn't wane, and the addition of about 60 support dancers added an extra layer of extravagance to the performance.

And for the first time in their live, a special version medley of each solo song began. Performers showcasing precise and confident dancing at ØMI's solo song ‘CHAIN BREAKER.’ During Ryuji's solo 'TUXEDO,' as the lyrics "Take you back" were sung, MATE (the collective term for fans of J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ), roared in excitement as the vocals mimicked firing a gun. ELLY delivered an impassioned rap in 'NEOTOKYO,' further elevating the energy in the venue.

The members boarded a float and continued waving to the audience while circling around to the back of the stands. During 'O.R.I.O.N.,' the shouts of "YEAH" from the crowd resonated, and in 'R.Y.U.S.E.I.,' the entire venue danced to the "Running Man" moves. The sincere expressions of the singing and dancing members, coupled with glimpses of smiles and generous responds to their MATE, conveyed a deep affection for them.

Kenjiro, who appeared in a suit with a bow tie, hosted a segment recreating his solo event called "Yama Fest." Naoki showed a guitar performance in 'FIGHTERS.' NAOTO presented ‘Yo(要)!,’ while Takanori, aka Gun chan, performed 'Only One For Me,' with each member showcasing their respective songs accompanied by other members. In 'Share The Love,' Kenjiro rode a bike, carrying the singing Ryuji on the back, and they raced around the periphery, energizing the venue.

The first song in the vocal section begins with Ryuji's fleeting vocals and ØMI's powerful yet poignant voice that pierces the heart in ‘Powder Snow ~Eien ni owaranai Fuyu(永遠に終わらない冬)~.’ The world painted with a sense of sorrow is a stark contrast to the earlier energetic vibe, creating an incredible gap. The only accompaniment, the piano, accentuates the two beautiful voices. ØMI's enchanting voice leaves a lasting impression in ‘Tokyo(東京).’ The melancholy conveyed through the silhouettes of the two on the black-and-white screen blends with the song, pulling the audience deeper into what feels like the grand finale of a dramatic love story. The addition of performers enhances the debut song, ‘Best Friend's Girl,’ which is presented with a cool dance infused with a hint of sadness, showcasing the depth of their expressive abilities.

In the final sprint, the entire dome turned red during ‘SCARLET feat Afrojack,’ with scenes of members interacting with female dancers. ØMI's closing vibrato was beautiful. During ‘RAINBOW,’ sung together with the audience, members whispered “Arigato,” as if etching the scene into their hearts. Despite the apparent loneliness, MATE's smiles convey a mixture of joy and happiness.

For the encore, the climax of the live was yet to come. ELLY's "Are you ready!?" signaled the entrance of all seven members, leading to an intense dance battle among the performers. As NAOTO, Takanori, and ELLY tore off the shirts they were wearing, revealing impressive six-packs, the cheers resounded. The finale commenced with ØMI's call-and-response, a special version medley of ‘24karats,’ elevating the venue's energy to the maximum. The enthusiastic ovation and the shaking of the dome were unstoppable during the call-and-response between MATE and the members: "24!" “karats!"

Finally, addressing Ryuji’s solo activities announced earlier in the day, ØMI touched upon it, stating, "All the members will support him." The last song was ‘Starting over ~one world~,’ created with the inclusion of MATE's voices during times they couldn't meet due to the pandemic. The audience collectively sang, cherishing the moment, and the curtain closed.

The vocal prowess experienced live, not to mention the unexpected singing talent of the performers, who were initially thought to focus solely on dance and yet showcased their skills with the guitar, left me astonished by the versatility of J SOUL BROTHERS Ⅲ. Above all, the power to energize the venue, the enthusiasm of MATE responding to it, and the warmth interaction with MATE left a deep impression. This tour, titled "The New Form of LIVE," claiming the top spot in the 'Live Annual Attendance Ranking,’ can undoubtedly be considered a great success.

Photo Credit: [N/A]

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