BABYMETAL and Scene Queen entertained the Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios CityWalk in Orlando, Florida on November 5, 2024. Both bands are genre-bending, convention-challenging and most importantly, massively entertaining. The event was sold out and highly anticipated by those in attendance.
Scene Queen (Hannah Rose Collins) started off the festivities with a glitter bang, and few had any clue what they were in for. She has created her own sub-genre called “Bimbocore”, where she plays with stereotypical images of women as objects while crafting songs with clever and often hilarious lyrics. Think of a feminist mash-up of early Ke$ha, New Years Day, and Blood On The Dance Floor. She pranced around the stage in a pink leather mini-dress, with pink boots up to her knees. She was sassy and engaged the crowd numerous times. Her energy was positive and uplifting, as she clearly enjoyed watching the crowd react to her songs about sex, sex, and more sex. There is more here than meets the eyes, with social commentary wrapped up inside a playful delivery of catchy music. The set went over well and I am sure that Scene Queen earned plenty of new fans.
Scene Queen Band Members:
Scene Queen – vocals
Boy Hero – guitars
Jonathan Schwartz – drums
Setlist:
1. Pink Push-Up Bra
2. 18+
3. Pink Panther
4. MILF
5. Mutual Masturbation
6. Pink Rover
7. Barbie & Ken
The stage darkened, and a video began playing on the large screen at the back of the stage, starting with the words “A LONG TIME AGO IN A HEAVY METAL GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY”. A narrator introduced the three characters who were about to arrive – Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto), Moametal (Moa Kikuchi), and Momometal (Momoko Okazaki). Backing them up were the Kami Band of the West or simply West Kami Band due to all members being from the United States, and they play for Babymetal’s US and European tours. All members were chosen and destined by the Fox God to be part of this project.
BABYMETAL plays their own unique style of music, known as ‘Kawaii Metal’, which is a clever blend of traditional metal music with Japanese J-Pop. The three vocalists are also extraordinary dancers, with matching outfits and choreographed dances for each song. The entire show is a full production, high energy, and massively entertaining. Combining dance-pop sensibilities with driving beats and loud guitar solos may seem like a strange brew, but it works on every level. With videos and lights pulsing to the rhythm laid down by masked masters of metal, anime-inspired costumed women singing and dancing their hearts out, and a crowd fully invested in the experience, it was a show unlike any other.
The dedicated crowd arrived early, with a massive line stretching back and forth in front of the waterfront at the Universal Studios Orlando City Walk. Once they entered the venue, most immediately joined the queue for BABYMETAL merchandise. The merch line was solidly wrapped around the lobby for a full 2 hours. The fans were also a unique blend of traditionally black-clad metallers and cosplaying pop fans. The Hard Rock Live was completely filled to the rafters and they were loud and excited to be part of the show.
BABYMETAL Band Members:
Suzuka Nakamoto – lead vocals
Moa Kikuchi – backing vocals
Momoko Okazaki – backing vocals
Chris Kelly- Guitar
CJ Masciantonio – Guitar
Clint Tustin – Bass
Anthony Barone – Drums
Setlist:
1. BABYMETAL DEATH
2. Distortion
3. PA PA YA!!
4. MAYA
5. METALI!!
6. Monochrome
7. Time Wave
8. Megitsune
9. RATATATA
10. Gimme Chocolate!!
11. Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!
12. Road Of Resistance
Follow BABYMETAL Online:
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Johnnie Crow is a lifelong music lover. He has photographed artists from every genre at concerts, festivals and cruises all across North America.
