REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAMIEN HARVEY
MAN WITH A MISSION, the enigmatic wolf-headed rock band from Japan, kicked off their European “Kizuna no Kiseki” tour with an electrifying performance at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. The concert marked the first of their five-date European tour, which will see them travel to Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Cologne. Known for their unique blend of rock, metal, and electronic music, the band delivered a powerful set that kept the audience on their feet from start to finish.
Playing at Kentish Town was MAN WITH A MISSION’S biggest UK venue after their Summer 2023 tour hit O2 Forum Kentish Town.
The night opened with the atmospheric “INTO THE DEEP,” setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The band wasted no time diving into high-energy tracks like “Merry-Go-Round” and “Get Off of My Way,” which had the crowd immediately engaged, headbanging, and singing along. The raw energy of the performance was palpable, with the band’s signature mix of hard-hitting riffs and electronic elements creating a soundscape that filled the venue.
Fan favorites such as “database” and “My Hero” showcased the band’s ability to blend heavy guitar work with catchy melodies, creating anthems that are both mosh pit-worthy and sing-along friendly. “Raise your flag” and “Dive” further exemplified this duality, with intense verses and soaring choruses that had the audience’s hands in the air and voices raised.
A standout moment of the evening was the performance of “Seven Deadly Sins,” a track that perfectly captures the band’s eclectic style. The energy in the room peaked, with fans jumping and shouting the lyrics in unison. The intensity was momentarily paused for an intermission featuring a humorous video skit, which allowed the audience to catch their breath and provided a unique glimpse into the band’s quirky personality.
The band then shifted gears with an acoustic rendition of “Take Me Under,” offering a more introspective moment that showcased their musical versatility. This quieter, more stripped-back performance was a stark contrast to the rest of the set, highlighting the band’s range and ability to connect with their audience on multiple levels.
The return to high-energy rock was marked by the dark and dynamic “Dark Crow” and “When My Devil Rises,” followed by a surprising and electrifying cover of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” The crowd went wild, clearly thrilled by the unexpected tribute to the rock legends, and the band nailed it with their own twist, blending their unique style with the classic rock anthem.
The set continued with the high-octane “higher” and culminated in the emotionally charged “Kizuna no Kiseki,” a song originally performed with milet. This performance was a highlight of the evening, bringing a sense of unity and connection that resonated deeply with the audience, underscoring the tour’s theme of “Kizuna,” meaning “bond” or “connection” in Japanese.
After a brief departure from the stage, the band returned for an encore that began with the powerful “Emotions,” followed by the uplifting “Winding Road,” and closed with their iconic anthem “FLY AGAIN.” The encore perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the evening—dynamic, passionate, and unifying.
Overall, MAN WITH A MISSION performance at the O2 Forum Kentish Town was nothing short of spectacular. Their ability to seamlessly blend genres and create a captivating live experience was on full display. The combination of powerful music, engaging visuals, and a strong connection with the audience made for a memorable night that left fans eagerly anticipating the next stops on the European leg of their tour. If the London show was any indication, European audiences are in for a real treat.
Setlist:
INTO THE DEEP
Merry-Go-Round
Get Off of My Way
database
My Hero
Raise your flag
Dive
Seven Deadly Sins
Intermission with Video Skit
Take Me Under
(Acoustic)
Dark Crow
When My Devil Rises
Thunderstruck
(AC/DC cover)
higher
Kizuna no Kiseki
(MAN WITH A MISSION×milet cover)
Encore:
Emotions
Winding Road
FLY AGAIN
Band: MAN WITH A MISSION
Tokyo Tanaka (vocals)
JeanKen Johnny (guitar, vocals, rap)
Kamikaze Boy (bass)
DJ Santa Monica (DJ)
Spear Rib (drums)
+ There are no comments
Add yours