Live Report: Snow Man Dome Tour 2024 RAYS

Written with the help of Judi who went in person to see Snow Man in Japan!

Snow Man’s successful tour “Snow Man Dome Tour 2024 RAYS” has thrilled thousands of fans with their energy, elaborated choreography, and a great showcase of power and strength, establishing once again the group’s identity as artists who are here to stay for many years to come. The show highlighted Snow Man’s extraordinary stage presence, blending innovation with tradition, which left fans in awe.

The long-awaited moment for fans to see their favorite group came when the members appeared one by one in the most epic of ways as they were building more excitement and anticipation. From descending from the roof, performing acrobatics, or riding motorcycles, each member brought their own unique style to their entrance. Ren Meguro surprised everyone by sliding down a 16-meter-high platform, Koji Mukai emerged surrounded by roaring flames, Ryohei Abe appeared through mystical waters, and Tatsuya Fukazawa glided elegantly on a rail cart in the middle of the audience. Shota Watanabe made a mysterious yet captivating entrance descending a staircase, Ryota Miyadate appeared through mist on the runway, and Hikaru Iwamoto dramatically raced through on a motorcycle. Daisuke Sakuma made a dynamic pop-up from the stage, and Raul descended gracefully from the air.

When all nine members finally showed up on stage, that’s when the show truly began. The opening song was “EMPIRE”, showcasing the incredible coordination and strength they have as a group as they performed one of their most complex and visual choreographies. Iwamoto kicked off the show with the bold declaration, “Tokyo! Let’s make some noise!”, leading the crowd into a state of pure excitement. They proceeded to perform the second song “Dangerholic”—the theme song for Meguro’s drama “Trillion Game“—dancing on top of a 5.5 m high and 26.5 m wide platform that moved above the fans, and you could feel the excitement building in the Dome.

They took it upon themselves to make the audience protagonists at all times, throwing messages and encouraging singing along to songs like “Brother Beat”, where fans had a good time cheering together with the members as the whole Dome sang along. Abe rallied the crowd saying, “Who wants to be happy? Let’s be happy together with all 55,000 of you and us 9!” Fukazawa added a playful call-and-response of “イーアルサンスー”, adding a mix of fun and energy to the performance.

But it was later on when Snow Man really got closer to the audience, appearing in balloons that drifted across the sky of the big dome. 24 m up in the air. This innovative use of stage design and heartfelt interactions created an immersive experience, celebrating their growth and bond with fans. And it was there that the fans could feel closer and enjoy a unique and lively show, with a beautiful and captivating atmosphere.

The concert takes you on a journey through different parts of the world with influences of cultures, music, and visuals culminating in the final set representing Japan. Accompanied by a musical base of classical instruments and modern costumes, they create the perfect contrast as they showcase Japanese culture.

During this tour, the members are divided into different subgroups to perform the unit songs. The first ones to appear are Watanabe and Mukai singing with their characteristic soft voices and particular complicity in their ballad, “Hoshi no Uta,” which amazed all the fans while they were flying in a balloon over the dome. However, the surprise escalated when additional balloons carrying other members appeared for the vibrant “Dress & Tuxedo,” performed with glowing penlights that synchronized perfectly with the lyrics, creating a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere.

The trio formed by Fukazawa, Abe, and Miyadate captivated us with the melancholic and sensual song “Nightscape” while standing on a stage recreating a lonely night. The next duo to sing brought with them a great show of fun and laughter when Meguro and Sakuma appeared in shiny suits inside bathtubs to perform their comical song “Hot Flow.” Finally, the duo formed by Iwamoto and Raul made a great demonstration of their talent and great dancing skills with their song “GLITCH” with black costumes in pure “Matrix” style, which left the whole audience speechless.

https://www.youtube.com/live/GvzNkuidFMw?si=rV9uiZp6zOC1rqJ5

During the mid-performance MC, Snow Man shared a special treat for fans! They premiered their new track, “SBY”—the theme song for Meguro’s movie “Trillion Game“—from their upcoming best album “THE BEST 2020-2025” (set to release on January 22), and streamed it live on YouTube for fans worldwide.

The song conveys gratitude with the message, “I didn’t get this far on my own; it’s because you were here with me,” as well as a strong determination to keep moving forward together. Well-fitting as deep gratitude was expressed to Iwamoto with a heartfelt, “Welcome back, Hikaru!” to which he replied warmly, “I’m back.” Despite wearing a mask for health reasons after his nose surgery, he smiled and shared, “Snow Man fans are really warm-hearted.”

Watanabe also shared, “We are truly delighted to be holding our first 5-Dome Tour. It’s not something we can take for granted, so we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supports us. We’ll continue to work hard so we can do this again in the future.

With the first performance of “SBY” as well, the highlight is the powerful choreography set against the medium-tempo melody.“

The second half of the concert brought a mix of intensity and emotion, featuring the emotional “One,” the ending song for the anime BLUE LOCK VS. U-20 JAPAN, and the oriental-inspired “Wha cha cha.”

Snow Man then lit up the stage with their high-energy “POWEEEEEER” and the crowd-favorite “Kimi no Kareshi ni Naritai.” Miyadate stole the spotlight with playful ad-libs, while Iwamoto and Mukai competed for attention during the wild “Cry out”, showcasing their physical prowess and engaging the audience with their spirited performance.

Closing the main show, Iwamoto expressed gratitude: “Did you have the best time? Thanks to all of you, the staff, and the members, we were able to come back to Tokyo as nine. We’re always grateful for your love.” The heartfelt ballad “Dear.” resonated deeply, wrapping the crowd in warm emotions.

The show closed with the members performing the encore with “KANPAI Year!!” celebrating not just the conclusion of the show but the love they share with their fans. Raul humorously reminded the audience, “Please be mindful of train etiquette!” bringing laughter and lightheartedness to the finale. The members’ smiles and constant waving gave a sense of heartwarming farewell as they left the stage.

With their stunning choreography (including nine dances—“LOVE TRIGGER,” “Lindy Lala,” “endless night,” Snow World,” “Crazy F-R-E-S-H Beat,” “Wa cha cha,” “POWEEEEEER,” “Kimi no Kareshi ni Naritai,” and “Cry out“—directed by Iwamoto), thoughtful MC moments, and dynamic unit performances, Snow Man captivated the audience for 2 hours and 45 minutes.

An event charged with energy, power, emotion, happiness, and show above all else, which along with spectacular choreography and set design highlights Snow Man’s constant growth, both in their art and in their ability to connect with their audience.

Snow Man demonstrated not only their musical ability but also their dedication to delivering a unique experience, where every detail was designed to thrill and amaze. More than a show, it was a celebration of their career, gratitude to their fans, and a reaffirmation of their position at the top of the Japanese music industry.

This tour celebrates their 5th anniversary, raised anticipation for the future as it embarked across five cities with 13 shows, attracting an estimated audience of 615,000.