The first time I listened to a One Ok Rock song was when I was watching the Japanese movie Rurouni Kenshin. Their song played at the end of the movie, and I loved it instantly. After that, I searched for their music and fell in love with the band.
Their music is melodic, positive and easy to listen to. The main vocalist, Taka, has a very powerful and emotional voice. But the thing I like most is their live performance. Taka once said that the band view their albums as an invitation to their live concerts, where they create a shared emotional space with their fans. Their live performances were always phenomenal. Taka and his band always give their best and bring great energy and connection. I find that almost every song sounds better live than the studio version.
I'll use the "Take What You Want" live performance as an example. This is a break-up song. Taka starts the intro with an acoustic vibe, with his vulnerable tone of voice. Then there is a very long pause after the first verse. I could feel the tension and emotion in that silent moment. Taka then elevates the emotion to its climax with his rough voice. I actually believed that he was heart-broken at that very moment. His facial expression and his body language also added to the whole performance.
I always admire artists who give their best in their performance. I believe music is all about creating connections. It is personal and intimate. It is not easy to create connections with listeners. Similar to acting, you have to believe in the character to be able to convey the emotion, feeling and message to the audience. Once the message is delivered, it is up to the audience to translate it into their own interpretation. It is the same with music, movies and other forms of art. That's the beauty of art.
Connection is a two-way relationship.
During that long pause, it was completely silent. I want to remind you that this was a live performance, and One Ok Rock's concerts always have a large crowd. But I felt like I could hear a pin drop at that moment. That was how the Japanese fans showed respect and created a connection with the band. Many people agree that it is impossible to achieve that kind of silence with a Western audience.
In the second part of the song, the band created a space for their fans to share their feelings. The fans chanted together for a very long time. You could really feel the emotions on their faces. That was a beautiful connection between the artist and the audience. That is a beautiful relationship. That is the reason why I really love artists who have great live performances. My top three favourite live performances are Queen's iconic Live Aid 1985 set, Robbie Williams at Knebworth, and this one.
I still cannot understand why humans can create such beautiful moments and connections while also being able to destroy other people's lives in many ways. I remember a saying that humans are the weirdest species on the planet. We are deeply conflicted in our behaviour. Some say that music and art are just comforting distractions, and that we often deceive ourselves from reality. But I believe music helps us organise the chaos of life and understand ourselves and the world better.