The Travis Japan WORLD TOUR 2024: Road to A, spanning six cities across the globe, concluded with a grand finale in New York City on October 16. Dumpling Box had the chance to attend their Seattle concert on October 10 and weaves it into the context of their journey.
Travis Japanโs global journey began in March 2022 when they left their home country Japan to move and study abroad in Los Angeles, honing their craft. During their time there, they ranked 9th at the prestigious World of Dance Championship Series and appeared on NBCโs Americaโs Got Talent. These milestones paved the way for their global debut under Capitol Records with the single โJUST DANCE!โ in October 2022.
The global debut was groundbreaking, with the group becoming the first J-POP artist to debut with a track reaching 5th on the Billboard Global (excluding U.S.) chart. Their 1st album, Road to A (released in December 2023), and its Global Edition (February 2024) cemented their international presence, topping iTunes charts in multiple countries.
By 2024, their overseas activities expanded with appearances on Americaโs Got Talent: Fantasy League, promotional showcases in Hong Kong and Thailand, and their world tour kicked off on September 3 in Taipei. Stops included Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New Yorkโall sold out.
Dumpling Box had the honor of attending the Seattle show thanks to the kindness of friends of the site. Let’s dive into the magic that the seven unique tigers of Travis Japan brought with them from Japan to America!
I first encountered Travis Japan in person during the World of Dance competition, and while I found it intriguing, I must admit, my expectations for their concert were not sky-high. How wrong I was!
As a devoted fan since their Junior days, it’s true that their recent discography hasn’t completely resonated with my personal tastes like before. This, combined with a dwindling excitement compared to the exhilarating feelings I had 3โ4 years ago, left me a bit apprehensive. Yet, my admiration for the members as individuals remains unwavering, and the concert turned out to be an extraordinary experienceโa perfect chance to bond with fellow TraJa-TANS and STARTO fans, who are fiercely dedicated to supporting groups coming overseas.
I attended their concert at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle on October 10th, despite not being from Washington. This decision was intentional for two reasons: I wanted to enjoy a short trip to Seattle, and I wanted to avoid the Los Angeles venue, which, although closer to home, didnโt appeal to me. Conveniently, the Neptune Theatre is accessible via Seattleโs light rail, making it easier for out-of-town fans like myself to get there. This convenience became evident while waiting in a block-long line that often ran parallel to the light rail station, occasionally blocking its entrance.
The queuing system was straightforward, with separate lines for VIP and general admission. Surprisingly, the VIP line only got a five-minute head start, making it feel like an egalitarian experience. The event was well-organized, and I felt good about attending with friends who were also casual fans. This helped ease my anxiety about being less invested than I once was.
However, I did feel insecure about not having any Travis Japan merchandise with meโmy Machu uchiwa was still stuck abroad in a friendโs apartment. I improvised by using my water bottle as a makeshift penlight (lantern?), though my reluctance to highlight my favorite color, blue, as my love for Machu outshone the like I had for Genta. However, don’t worry Genta! My friend became a huge fan of him during the show.
As we shuffled into the venue, my male friend was briefly stopped by security and asked to dump his water onto the streetโan odd hiccup in an otherwise smooth entry process. The Neptune Theatre itself was a modest venue with a charming, self-produced vibe.
It featured a standing area near the stage, which turned into a lively mosh-pit atmosphere for those wanting an up-close experience, and a balcony with plush seating.
My group initially sat in the balcony, where only our section stood while others remained seated. I liked the vantage pointโit wasnโt too close, yet it gave me a clear view of the members performing live, rather than on a screen.
Not having brushed up much on their recent music beforehand, I didnโt know what to expect beyond dancing. The only song I was particularly familiar with was โJUST DANCE!,โ which they performed multiple times. My friend especially enjoyed the line โI wanna roar like a tiger,โ with its exaggerated rhotic pronunciation of โtiger.โ The group exceeded his expectations by enthusiastically yelling the line each time. Their passionate energy infused every song, creating a captivating performance that even casual fans like my friend could enjoy. My favorite moment was their intro rapโ”Unique Tigers“โ a nostalgic nod to their Junior days, which I still adore.
Beyond the music, Travis Japanโs showmanship was stellar. Almost every act featured some form of audience interaction, from fanservice like directed stares and playful antics to the dramatic exposure of skin (Shime, you know what you did!). For fans unfamiliar with the group, their roll call and color coordination made it easy to identify members. I was thrilled that Noel and Shime acknowledged our group despite us being far in the back.
The concert also included a conversational MC segment in English, which I found impressive. During this portion, they asked the audience for recommendations on what to do in Seattle. Among the typical suggestions of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, one audience member humorously shouted, โBoston!โ Their ease in speaking English added an extra layer of connection with the audience, and it’s a testament to how far they’ve come since they first moved abroad.
In terms of performance, the choreography was well-synchronized and dynamic, seamlessly blending intricate dancing with audience engagement. Their ability to sing, dance, and entertain live was captivatingโit made the concert feel like it ended far too quickly. After the main set, they returned for two or three encores, including “Fly Higher,” the theme song for the Crunchyroll anime Tasuketsu: Fate of Majority, which Noel is making his debut as a voice actor in,which was a delightful surprise.
As I left the venue, I felt genuinely glad to have attended. If Travis Japan embarks on another American tour, I would definitely go again. Even my friends, who werenโt TraJa-TANs, had a fantastic time. Considering the ticket price, the experience was more than worth it. From post-concert chatter on Discord, it was clear that fans at other shows shared similar sentiments. It would be lovely if they returned in the summer, that way Machu could enjoy watching fireflies and walking frogs.
Travis Japanโs Road to A world tour was more than just a showcase of their talentโit was a testament to their growth, resilience, and vision as this generation’s global artists. From their humble beginnings in their Junior days to Los Angeles to a successful nationwide tour in Japan, and lastly, to their triumphant return as headliners in sold-out venues across the U.S., the group has continually proven their ability to connect with audiences far and wide. Their blend of high-energy choreography, heartfelt vocals, and meaningful fan engagement ensures that every performance feels unique and unforgettable.
As they continue their journey, fans have much to look forward to with the release of their highly anticipated second album, VIIsual. Building on the themes of individuality and creativity that have defined their artistry, VIIsual promises to be an immersive experience that showcases their evolution and versatility as a group of seven. With its bold concept and innovative sound, this album is poised to solidify Travis Japanโs place on the global stage.
For those not familiar with Japanese, Travis Japan has released a Global Edition of the album, much like the Road to A album, with all their tracks in English.
Whether you’re a longtime TraJa-TAN or a curious newcomer, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in their world and their entertainment. With the momentum of their world tour and the excitement surrounding VIIsual, Travis Japan isnโt just performingโtheyโre creating a legacy.
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Photo assets ยฉ STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.