The vocal-dance group ATARASHII GAKKO! made their global debut in 2021 on the 88rising label, which promotes Asian music and culture to the world. The four members have continued to attract attention over the past few years, recently performing on NHK’s New Year’s staple Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time and starting their own TV show. On January 9, the group held its first concert, SEISHUN SHURAI (Youth Invasion),  at Nippon Budokan.

When the first notes of Tokyo Calling began playing, all 12,000 fans in attendance instantly reached maximum excitement as they focused their attention on the 360-degree stage. The LED lights covering the stage began to shine and the members, clad in red sailor uniforms, appeared to the sound of wild applause.
After performing Toryanse, a new song released from embargo just before the start of the concert, and thePineapple Kryptonite Remix, the members began a brief MC, eager to address and thank the audience. “All of you fans out there, can you see us in all 360 degrees? We’ve dreamed of the day that all four of us would be here, standing on our own feet on this legendary stage.”

The audience’s excitement only continued to grow as the girls called out, screaming “Budokan, here we go!” before breaking into an intense performance of Saisyu Jinrui filled with head-banging and shoulder rides. During the last part of the concert, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed their new song BORN TO BE FREE!!!! for the first time. The track’s fast-paced sound immediately captured the hearts of fans, and the girls closed the main event with SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO, an extremely popular song at their live performances.

During the final MC portion, there was a tearful moment in which Suzuka cried and hugged the other members. “I don’t want anyone to suffer alone,” she said. “We’re all here together. Thank you all so much.”

The group’s first concert at Nippon Budokan ended with Mayoeba Toutoshi, known as a common final song at ATARASHII GAKKO! concerts. “If you ever feel lost, you can always rely on us–on our concerts, our videos, and everything else,” Suzuka said.

Along with the announcement of a new fan club, the group’s first fan club tour, which will visit five prefectures, was announced during the show. Additionally, the new song Toryanse will be available to stream on January 26.

■SET LIST

1. Tokyo Calling
2. Giri Giri
3. Toryanse
4. Pineapple Kryptonite (Yohji Igarashi Remix)
5. Night Before the Exam
6. Sekigae Gattuso
7. Tomei Boy
8. Koi Geba
9. Dokubana
10. Shiritai
11. Freaks
12. NAINAINAI
13. Fantastico
14. Pineapple Kryptonite
15. Intergalactic
16. Saishuu Jinrui
17. Janaindayo
18. BORN TO BE FREE!!!!
19. SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO

＜ENCORE＞

1. OTONABLUE
2. Que Sera, Sera
3. Mayoeba Toutoshi

■Celebrating the 1st Budokan Concert! ATARASHII GAKKO! WOWOW Special
To commemorate the group’s performance, WOWOW will stream the concert and feature ATARASHII GAKKO! for three consecutive months. In February, a music video collection will be aired covering the group’s past activities, and in March, a ‘Special Edition’ will be broadcast featuring footage from the January 9 Budokan performance along with interviews with each of the members.

Special Site
https://www.wowow.co.jp/music/leaders/