Hey! Say! JUMP Special Live ~ JUMParty 2024-2025 ~

As the countdown to 2025 drew closer, Hey! Say! JUMP prepared to welcome fans into the new year with their highly anticipated Hey! Say! JUMP Special Live ~ JUMParty 2024-2025 ~ at Tokyo Dome on December 31, 2024.

This special event, separate from their ongoing nationwide Hey! Say! JUMP LIVE TOUR 2024-2025 H⁺, promises to create unforgettable memories as fans and the group cross into the new year together.

Fans who couldn’t make it to Tokyo Dome in person won’t miss out, as the concert was live-streamed in real-time, allowing audiences to share in the excitement wherever they are, even worldwide. An archive of the performance will also be available (also on the English site) for two weeks starting January 1, 2025, ensuring those with busy holiday schedules can revisit the magic at their convenience.

Hey! Say! JUMP—Kota Yabu, Yuya Takaki, Kei Inoo, Hikaru Yaotome, Daiki Arioka, Ryosuke Yamada, Yuto Nakajima, and Yuri Chinen—has been an active force in the entertainment industry since their debut in 2007, and for many fans, their music represents more than just catchy melodies—it is a soundtrack to cherished memories and personal milestones.

The group’s longevity and continued evolution have made them a cornerstone in the lives of long-time followers, growing alongside fans through different chapters of life.

For those, Hey! Say! JUMP is a symbol of nostalgia, joy, and connection, with each performance serving as a reminder of the bond between the group and their dedicated supporters. Their concerts are not just about the music but about reliving moments that have defined a generation of fans.

The group has gone through changes as a group, but at their core, they have always been a group that has represented the “Ultra Music Power” part in their name. All members were born in the Heisei era, and the aim of the group was for them to jump high during this period.

And jump high, they have. Since their debut, the group has made countless hits and successful tours. In 2007, Hey! Say! JUMP set a record at Tokyo Dome as the youngest group to perform there, with an average age of 15.2 years. In 2009, they became the first to hold a seven-day consecutive concert at Yokohama Arena. By 2012, they extended this record by performing ten shows over seven consecutive days at the same venue.

In 2014, they broke the record for the highest number of performances and audience attendance by an active artist at Yokohama Arena. On January 1, 2017, they made history again by performing two shows in one day at Tokyo Dome. As of December 2024, all of Hey! Say! JUMP’s singles and albums have debuted at number one on the Oricon weekly charts.

Watching them stand at Tokyo Dome, ringing in the New Year not only sends a wave of pride over you but also a sense of comfort. They are a group in their prime, yet they have already established their names all over Japan and the world, both as a group and individually. They’ve come this far by working hard, being loved, and constantly outdoing themselves.

The Hey! Say! JUMP Special Live ~ JUMParty 2024-2025 ~ is their take on the classical STARTO Countdown concert that has been a tradition for years, something that many fans have missed dearly in the past years. With a blend of their charming humor in their MC segments, impressive performances, and a carefully curated selection of songs, the event brought delight to fans and others alike watching.

No concert is complete without a stylish opening VTR, introducing the group to the audience, and Hey! Say! JUMP got this down. Perfectly suited for the special event, the opening VTR showed off the members in their sleek suits accompanied by the music of UMP before they appeared on the front stage.

The night started in true Hey! Say! JUMP fashion and the setlist for the event blend Hey! Say! JUMP classics with special surprises, opening with energetic numbers like “Ride With Me,” “Weekender,” “eek!!,” “Fanfare!,” and “White Love.”

It’s a blend of newer and older songs, showcasing the impressive range and diverse genres Hey! Say! JUMP has meticulously accumulated through the years, enchanting countless fans worldwide. This selection not only highlights their evolution as artists but also reflects the unique musical influences that have shaped their sound in just a few songs.

The medley section brought plenty of excitement with full-group performances of fan classics like ARASHI’s “Trouble Maker” and V6’s “HONEY BEAT,” alongside heartfelt duets like Kinki Kids’ “Ai no Katamari” by Yabu and Yaotome.

The duo—YabuHika—goes way back together, and hearing them take on a classic like “Ai no Katamari” felt perfect for them as a duo. While Yaotome is more known for being in charge of the rap parts in their songs, his vocal prowess in ballads is no joke either, making him a stable artist at both singing and rapping.

Yabu, on the other hand, is an underrated vocalist, to say the least. He does not get enough credit for his vocal range and tone. Effortlessly carrying the harmonies and the melody through not only this song but many others, Yabu’s abilities know no bounds. There’s a comfort in his voice, a sense of stability, that no matter what, he’ll be there to support you.

A personal highlight of the event was Inoo and Chinen’s performance of GEMN’s “Fatal.” Chinen’s image has been the staple image of “cute” and “spoiled” for many years, and add in the fact he’s the shortest among debuted artists, that image does not leave the mind easily. However, over the past years, he’s broken free from the “cutesy baby” image, taking on a more mature approach by getting into muscle training and even getting a solo feature on Tarzan.

Hearing him take on close friend Kento Nakajima’s parts (even taking on the name “Nenty” for the performance; a combination of Kento’s nickname for him—Nenchii—and his own—Kenty) in the song only solidified his change, and his lower register gets a chance to shine. It’s a refreshing contrast from the early days before his voice broke, and he reigned with one of the highest registers in the agency.

Throughout the years since their debut, Chinen has been a constant personal inspiration and admiration. Under the cute appearance lies someone who gives off that he knows exactly how to carry themselves despite what the public might say, and that’s something that has continued to impress and resonate. Seeing him continue to dazzle and shine bright on stage brings the most joy to life, more than anything else. And honestly, if it wasn’t for him, the me today wouldn’t be who I am.

As if to make a statement that things are changing—have changed—but no matter what, a new dawn waits, they ring in the new year by performing “UMP.”

“UMP” was created with the intention of becoming a new signature song for the group as they look ahead to their 20th anniversary. Written by Kenta Kataoka of the band sumika, the song features a dynamic melody and emotionally charged lyrics that reflect the group’s vision for the future.

The song holds significant meaning as it pays homage to the vibrant spirit of their debut song, further amplifying the themes of connection and emotional resonance established by its predecessor. With the familiar tunes from the debut song incorporated in “UMP,” it invites listeners to engage with the music in a fresh, mature way while acknowledging the legacy of the original.

It’s almost liberating watching and listening to the song, as it allows you to let go of the past (“Ultra Music Power“), encouraging you to embrace the present and future (“UMP“) with open arms and an open heart. This evolution not only reflects personal growth but also mirrors the broader journey many share, reminding us that while we cherish our roots, it’s essential to evolve and celebrate the here and now.

Together with Hey! Say! JUMP, fans greeted a new tomorrow, knowing that the shadows behind them, cast by the rising sun, are just proof of the long journey we’ve taken together.

This feeling is further highlighted in their second single, “Dreams come true,” when the group invites the audience to sing along during the bridge, and the lyrics of

“Reach out your hand,
I’ll surely be right here.
Don’t be afraid,
No one is truly alone, oh,”

resonates through the dome, and it is a stark reminder and affirmation that you are never truly alone, especially being surrounded by fellow fans and with the boys sparkling bright in front of you.

Another of the highlights of the evening was the special medley that followed, packed with fan favorites like timelesz‘ “RUN,” ARASHI’s “Kotoba Yori Taisetsu na Mono,” with Chinen doing the intro solo, a fitting choice as a well-known Satoshi Ohno fanboy, NEWS‘ “Cherish,” and KAT-TUN’s “Keep The Faith.”

Fans were delighted by their rendition of King & Prince’s “Cinderella Girl,” especially with Arioka’s gentle vocals leading the song, and not to mention the delight when they performed Naniwa Danshi’s beloved “UBU Love.”

The dome erupted in cheers too when they even took on Travis Japan’s “JUST DANCE!“ and Ae! group’s “《A》BEGINNING,” and once again, Chinen took the lead, challenging Seiya’s lines. As an avid fan of all three groups, the excitement was sky-high, and there couldn’t have been any better distribution or selection.

Seeing the dome light up with the penlights’ light, controlled remotely through Blutooh, even through the screen, makes you take a moment and just take in the sight; it creates a mesmerizing ambiance that captivates your senses and invites reflection. Each flicker of the light holds a story of its own, urging you to pause and appreciate the delicate interplay of illumination and darkness, as if time itself has momentarily suspended to allow you this chance to marvel at such beauty.

It transformed the stadium into a sea of colors, a breathtaking view that reminds you that these boys—all of them in the agency—bring together so many individuals from all walks of life.

Visually, the members did not disappoint. Yamada’s pink hair, glasses, and partially unbuttoned shirt had fans swooning, while Arioka’s rock-paper-scissors loss to Chinen resulted in his hair featuring all eight member colors in the form of glitter highlights.

Beyond the performances, the members’ playful and candid moments during the MC sections further cemented the connection between the group and their fans, all of them not wanting to leave just yet. Inoo’s parting words, exclaiming, “That was so fun!” as he walked off the stage, resonated with many, capturing the light-hearted joy that defined the night.

From the first note, fans were swept away, many losing themselves in the performance. The concert closed with a heartfelt performance of “SUMMARY,” another classic song that all of the members have participated in both as Juniros and leading acts. This performance was exclusive for their fan club members and rounded off an unforgettable night.

The combination of emotional performances, playful antics, and dazzling visuals made JUMParty 2024-2025 a standout event. With tickets priced at just 1,500¥ for fan club members and 2,000¥ for general audiences, the opportunity to witness this celebration felt like a steal. As the concert archive remains accessible for two weeks until January 13 23:59 JST, fans who missed the livestream are encouraged to catch up on the experience.

Hey! Say! JUMP once again proved why they are beloved by so many, closing 2024 with a vibrant, heartfelt performance and stepping confidently into the new year. They stand unrivaled as one of the most iconic groups of the Heisei era, true to their name, and their strengths do not lie in being the best at anything or competing with anyone, but in constantly evolving and outdoing themselves. A reminder that dreams come true.

For fans of the group, it was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of shared memories, emotional highs, and the boundless joy that comes from connecting with their favorite artists.

For many more years to come, Hey! Say! JUMP will continue to soar and be an inspiration and goal for not only the future generations to come but also for those in their own.