The Recap: Travis Japan “Swing Their Way” to NYC For Their “World Tour 2025 ‘VIIsual’”
On July 25, Japanese boy group Travis Japan (TJ) kicked off their “World Tour 2025 ‘VIIsual’” in New York City. The group made a confident entrance, their silhouettes striking against the lights of the Hammerstein Ballroom stage. Fans have anticipated their arrival since their last show at Sony Hall last October. All seven members, Genta, Machu, Shizu, Umi, Chaka, Shime, and Noel, put on an entertaining show for both local fans and those who traveled from far to see them.
Standout Performances
The night opened with a showcase of rising talent, setting the tone for an energetic evening. Luka & Jenalyn, a dance duo known for their performances on “World of Dance” and “Canada’s Got Talent,” glided and spun across the stage with breathtaking precision. Following the duo, The Hott Boyz and Brickhouse NYC cranked up the energy and blew the roof away with their explosive routines. After the openers’ stages, a cinematic voice echoed through the venue, announcing each member’s name, building anticipation for TJ’s first appearance.
Crazy Crazy: “Tikki, tikki, tikki everybody going crazy alright!” As the lights dimmed, cuing TJ’s dramatic entrance, “Crazy Crazy’s” tremolo-picked intro grew loud. Flashing lights along with the members jumping around into formation created a surge of energy that was undeniable. Their lighthearted lyrics and fun melodies had the crowd teeming with excitement. “Crazy Crazy” perfectly set the tone for the rest of the night.
Swing My Way and Tokyo Crazy Night: Switching the tone to a more mature concept, TJ changed their outfits to sparkly white blazers and fedoras. Their outfits complimented the old-school 1950s concept of “Swing My Way” with a modern twist. The group circled and passed around a decorated mic stand. Spinning into their ending poses, the end of this song marked a seamless transition into “Tokyo Crazy Night.” As TJ tossed their fedoras aside, they moved forward in time with the rhythm of this 80’s city pop song. Throughout these songs, they incorporated finger LED light gloves that made their performances all the more captivating.
99 PERCENT: TJ made some noise with their special performance of “99 PERCENT.” Bringing cultural Japanese significance to the West, the members lined up wearing a styled wig typically worn in a traditional Japanese dance called “Renjishi.” Proving their talents, “99 PERCENT” was filled with theatrical choreography that told a story. Every member was in sync with each other’s moves, making for a hypnotic performance.
VOLCANO: This song began with a quiet yet powerful presence as Genta beat on the drums with precision and focus. First with slow hits, he then fastened his pace, creating a heart-pounding and unforgettable beat that started off “VOLCANO” for an explosive performance. TJ’s precise moves were so invigorating, it seemed as if Genta was controlling them with each beat of the drum. To make the performance even more enchanting, red and white petal shaped confetti blew in from both sides of the stage, making it a magical experience.
Energy Levels and High Notes
The energy throughout the night was unwavering and through the roof. One moment the group moved in perfect synchronization, the next they’re launching themselves into the air. Even after a few moments of rest, their energy levels remained unmatched.
A definite high note from the night was the members’ personality. While they approached every song with intensity, there were plenty of moments where their playful charm took center stage. “Would You Like One?” was a great performance that was effortlessly fun yet coordinated, striking a perfect balance of the members’ presence as performers and themselves.
For Fans Of
Dancing, the gym, and any other activities that require energy. Even when pausing for slower songs, these seven are constantly moving around, so you’ll want to keep up. Bonus points for dancers in theater. Many of their performances incorporate technical dancing skills, cultural influences, and synchronistic moves that are admirable. You’ll need some water if you’re going to make it through a TJ concert, or alcohol, as Umi joked about with the crowd.
For fans of other J-pop groups like Naniwa Danshi, Snow Man, both who also fall under STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, and BE:FIRST, Travis Japan is another feat you don’t want to miss out on.
Verdict
TJ’s show at Hammerstein Ballroom was nothing short of dynamics in each song, filled with pure energy and charisma exuding from each member throughout the night. This seven-member act knows how to put on a great show that will leave fans with a euphoric concert hangover.
TJ will be continuing their World Tour in September, where they’ll be visiting Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. For more updates, make sure to check out their Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube!
Can’t get enough of Travis Japan? Read our exclusive interview with the group here!
