[LIVE REPORT] Snow Man Dome Tour 2024 “RAYS” at Tokyo Dome

Snow Man‘s first-ever 5-dome tour, RAYS, is currently making waves across Japan! We, at Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi, had the honor of attending the concert at Tokyo Dome on Sunday, December 15th. This massive tour showcases their position as one of the nation’s most popular, million-selling idol groups.

All the concerts sold out immediately after the tickets went live. The sold-out Tokyo Dome performance was packed with 55,000 enthusiastic fans. The tour includes a total of 13 performances and is expected to attract 610,000 attendees across five cities in Japan. This 2-hour and 45-minute concert featured 35 songs, blending dynamic stage effects, powerful choreography, and deeply emotional moments.

The concert began with a dramatic opening movie, portraying the members as “strangers” in various locations and themes, produced by member Raul. Each member made a unique and eye-catching entrance from different parts of the venue. Ren Meguro descended gracefully from the ceiling on a slider, while Hikaru Iwamoto burst onto the stage on a motorcycle. The members’ red costumes with gold chains and fur, also produced by Raul, added to the grand atmosphere as they arrived on stage.

The lead track from their 4th album, RAYS, titled “Empire,” kicked off the show. Iwamoto’s call of, “Tokyo! Let’s get loud!” ignited the crowd. It’s a powerful and edgy song that samples Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G minor. The performance featured high-energy choreography and dynamic effects, including water fountains shooting up to 12 meters high and 500 bursts of flames.
The music video, filmed on location in Spain, currently stands at nearly 60 million views, making it one of their fastest videos to reach this milestone.

Snow Man – ”EMPIRE” Music Video

The performance continued with another crowd-pleaser, “Dangerholic,” the theme song for the drama Trillion Game starring Meguro. Performed on a 5.5-meter-high moving stage, the members hyped up the audience with a fun, rock ‘n’ roll vibe. Their playful interactions and joking around made this number even more enjoyable.

Dangerholic Music Video YouTube Ver.

During the performance of “Nine Snow Flash,” the group’s self-introduction song, Iwamoto made his return to the stage after undergoing surgery for a benign tumor in his nose. When he said “Tadaima!” (I’m back!) during the song, the crowd burst into cheers, and Tatsuya Fukazawa warmly responded with, “Okaeri!” (Welcome back!).

The performance transitioned from the playful fun songs to the rock-infused intensity of “BREAKOUT.” As the theme song for the movie Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards starring Raul, it featured intense laser light effects that enhanced its fierce vibe.
As a special Christmas gift, the concert video of “BREAKOUT” from their Dome Tour 2024 RAYS was uploaded to YouTube, giving everyone a chance to experience the powerful, high-energy performance!

Snow Man ‘BREAKOUT’ Live Performance Video 〜Dome Tour 2024 RAYS〜

An interlude movie featured nine lights/rays traveling across the globe, symbolizing the Snow Man members. When they returned to the stage, the group appeared in white, knight-like costumes. They performed “LOVE TRIGGER,” the theme song for Iwamoto‘s drama Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji, with choreography by Iwamoto, showcasing a mature and sensual side of the group. This sophisticated atmosphere continued with “Lindy Lala” and “endless night,” the latter featuring projection mapping that created personal “rooms” for each member, adding a sense of intimacy to the performance.

Snow Man – LOVE TRIGGER Music Video

A unit performance by Shota Watanabe and Koji Mukai, “Hoshi no Uta” showcased their song about friendship. The two performed inside a balloon and asked the audience to turn off their penlights for a moment. When the lights came back on, it transformed Tokyo Dome into a beautiful starry sky.

Following this, the remaining members joined in four more balloons for “Snow World,” marking Snow Man’s first-ever performance using air balloons. The balloons soared up to 24 meters high, greeting fans on the second and third floors.
This song stands out as a B-side from their debut single “D.D.,” with the entire music video filmed in Thailand. The video captures the members enjoying the stunning local scenery, while Thailand’s vibrant colors perfectly match the upbeat energy of the song!

They continued to perform “Dress & Tuxedo” in the moving balloons, waving to the audience as they floated across the venue. The synchronized penlight colors created a sense of unity between the group and the audience.

Snow Man “Snow World” Music Video YouTube Ver.

One of the standout moments of the night was the live debut of their new song, “SBY.” The performance was streamed live on YouTube, reaching over 534,000 simultaneous viewers. The song is from their upcoming best album THE BEST 2020 – 2025, set to release on January 22.
“SBY” is a heartfelt medium-tempo ballad, featuring delicate choreography and lyrics expressing deep gratitude to the fans. Meguro introduced the song saying, “This is truly a special song for us,” highlighting its significance. It will also serve as the theme song for the film Trillion Game: The Movie, starring Meguro, set to premiere in February.

Snow Man ‘SBY’ Music Video

The MC segment provided moments of both warmth and humor. Fukazawa officially welcomed Iwamoto back to the stage and Ryohei Abe suggested the audience say “Okaeri” (Welcome back) to Iwamoto all together. Iwamoto, who wore a mask for most of the concert due to his ongoing recovery, shyly responded with “Tadaima (I’m back).” He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m relieved by how welcoming and warm the Snow Man fans are.” The audience clapped and cheered, showing their strong support for the group.

There was also a comical moment during the MC. Ryota Miyadate claimed his pants had ripped, and the members quickly covered him with a tour towel as they teased him. The members also engaged in playful call-and-response with the audience, highlighting the diverse demographics of their fanbase.

Even after the fun MC segment, the members reappeared in casual denim outfits, keeping the energy high with performances of “KISSIN’ MY LIPS,” “ONE,” “Nightscape,” “Hot Flow,” “DA BOMB,” “Wha cha cha,” “POWEEEEER,” “Kimi no Kareshi ni Naritai,” and “GLITCH.”

The mood shifted as the group sang “ONE,” the theme song for the anime Blue Lock VS. U-20 JAPAN. This track marks their first-ever digital single on streaming platforms and many international Japanese pop culture fans may have recently discovered Snow Man through this song.

Snow Man – One Music Video

This section also featured three unit performances. First was “Nightscape” by Tatsuya Fukazawa, Ryohei Abe and Ryota Miyadate. This moody, chill track, accompanied by cityscape visuals, showcased a different side of these members. Fukazawa and Miyadate, usually known for their comedic variety roles, delivered serious performances, while Abe kept his signature sweetness, wearing an adorable cat ears beanie.

Snow Man (w/English Subtitles!) 4th Album ‘RAYS’ Unit Song MV Teaser

A more playful moment came during “Hot Flow,” a unit song by Ren Meguro and Daisuke Sakuma. The duo made their official debut as the “bath buddies” appearing in (bath) god-like costumes and delivering a cute and comical dance. They performed in bathtubs that moved across the stage and brought smiles to the audience. The performance ended humorously, with their silhouettes appearing to take off their clothes as they sank into the bathtubs, closing out the playful act.

Finally, Hikaru Iwamoto and Raul took the stage for their unit song “GLITCH,” dressed in sleek black costumes. The futuristic performance, enhanced by neon blue lights and lab-themed visuals, transported the audience into a new world. Their synchronized dance highlighted Iwamoto‘s muscular physique and Raul‘s long, graceful limbs. Their visually stunning performance wowed the crowd.

We also have to mention the excitement of “Kimi no Kareshi ni Naritai,” where each member delivered their own unique, flirtatious line to the fans. Watanabe joked about how tough it was to say his part after Miyadate‘s over-the-top ad-libbed lines.

The final interlude movie shifted to a traditional Japanese aesthetic, even featuring a woman in junihitoe and solo shots of each member against traditional Japanese backdrops. After the movie, the group appeared in stylish red costumes with an Asian essence (almost like a ninja when they take off their jackets!). They surprised us with special wagakki remix versions of “Tapestry” and “W.” This version had a slower tempo and featured traditional instruments like koto strings, suzu bells, shakuhachi flute, and taiko drums. Both “Tapestry,” the theme song for the live action film My Happy Marriage starring Meguro and “W” were a true treat for the ears in this new arrangement.

Snow Man “Tapestry” Music Video

The show reached its peak with “Cry out,” a fan favorite that brought explosive energy to the stage! Iwamoto kicked things off by tearing off his tank top, followed by Mukai, and the crowd went wild with excitement. Watanabe‘s powerful vocals and Raul‘s passionate dance added to the intensity, while the synchronized energy of all nine members, combined with dramatic flames, made it a performance to remember.

Snow Man (w/English Subtitles!) ‘Cry out’ Dance Practice

The intensity of the show transitioned into the emotional finale, “Dear.,” a heartfelt song dedicated to the fans. As shimmering confetti filled the air, the members spread out across the stage, waving and expressing their gratitude to the audience. It was a touching and memorable end to an unforgettable night. This track will also be included in the best album, THE BEST 2020 – 2025, alongside “SBY.”

Fukazawa wrapped up the night saying, “This tour is for our latest album RAYS, but we truly realized once again that the ‘ray’ for us is all of you. Let’s continue moving forward step by step, towards new ‘rays,’ supporting each other—Snow Man and all of you together.”

Snow Man’s mix of serious, heartfelt, and comical performances throughout the night showcased the group’s incredible versatility, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s next for the group. With the upcoming release of THE BEST 2020 – 2025 in January, Snow Man’s star is only set to shine brighter.

Their first night at Tokyo Dome was more than just a concert. It was a testament to their growth, creativity, and the deep bond they share with their fans. As they continue to break new ground, Snow Man has solidified their place as one of Japan’s most beloved idol groups, winning the hearts of people young and old, male and female, with their unique blend of energy, emotion, and fun.

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— Snow Man / MENT RECORDING (@SN__20200122) November 30, 2024