The Recap: Kenshi Yonezu Rocks Radio City Hall for JUNK World Tour

On April 4, thousands of fans from New York and beyond filled Radio City Hall for a momentous sold out show. Japanese sensation Kenshi Yonezu held his first ever world tour this year, kicking off his U.S. debut in New York City. His first world tour included stops in select cities like Paris, London, and Los Angeles, making it highly anticipated and drawing in thousands of international fans. Yonezu’s show had a no photo and photography policy which made the experience deeply engaging and worthwhile.

Around 8 p.m., the lights faded out and the sounds of thunder rumbling echoed through the venue. The anticipation of the crowd heightened with each rumble leading to the moment Yonezu appeared on stage. Smoke hung low on the stage and added an ominous tone to the anticipation. The moment red lights began flashing and stop light signals grew louder, signaling the start of “RED OUT.” The crowd erupted in cheers as Yonezu launched into the opening of the song. It was a highly energetic performance setting  the tone for an explosive night.

Standout Performances

For Yonezu’s first time touring in the U.S., his setlist was jam-packed with over 20 songs from his discography. Ranging from high intensity tracks to slow jams, Yonezu hit it all. These were some of the standout performances of the night.

Azalea: The hopeful beats of “Azalea” played a few songs into the show, setting the stage for a whimsical moment. The lyrics of the song tap into the feelings of getting lost in love. With azaleas symbolizing a new beginning in love, the background visualizer showed the white flowers in bloom. There’s a Japanese term komorebi, which means “sunlight leaking through trees.” During this stage, beams of light projected out onto the ceiling of the venue, mimicking the shadows of rustling leaves. It added a dreamlike touch to “Azalea,” making it feel even more magical.

Spinning Globe: A beloved track by fans, this song featured in Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, quickly brought the crowd to silence and in awe. The lights shined down on Yonezu as he delivered each line delicately. Hearing the sentimental “Spinning Globe” performed live was a deeply moving and chill inducing experience. 

POST HUMAN: Followed by “Spinning Globe,” “POST HUMAN” dove right into a slow jam and portrayed Yonezu’s musical versatility and stage presence. The switch from emotional to an almost sensual tone was immediate and impressive. The background animation depicted a city on fire, amplifying the song’s sense of unease. Paired with the track’s distorted electronic beats, these elements created a haunting feeling throughout the performance.

Lemon: Another fan-favorite, “Lemon” had the whole venue clapping along to Yonezu’s singing. Moving gently in the background, his dancers held up lights that mirrored the soft glow of fireflies or the rise of lanterns into the night-time sky. This enchanting set moved the crowd as fans waved their arms along to the beat.

Flamingo: Fla-fla-fla-flamingo — “Flamingo” changed up the tempo with a groovy beat and addictive lyrics that will have you dancing around for days. The playful performance was fun and almost comical. The dancers made the stage their playground as they moved around freely in colorful suits and hats. Yonezu’s singing tone loosened up, leaning into the light-hearted performance. 

KICK BACK: Anime fans riled up for “KICK BACK,” the opening theme song to Chainsaw Man, as soon as the first beat landed. Red lights flashed throughout the venue as the bassist revved up his bass. Yonezu was more animated as he broke out more with screams to get the crowd more hyped up. The dancers mirrored this off-the-wall energy which made for an even more dynamic performance. Yonezu was given a camera to film himself which was connected to the large screens in the background. He bounced between the audience and his band, further fueling the chaotic vibe.

Donut Hole: Yonezu couldn’t leave his international fans without going back to his roots and performing a hachi original. “Donut Hole” was a fast-paced song that roped the audience in right along for a whirlwind ride. It was a captivating stage with orange flashing strobe lights and energetic movements from both Yonezu and his band.

High Notes

The two-hour show was nothing short of energy from start to finish. Electrifying performances surged the energy of the crowd throughout the whole night. It’s one thing to listen to his discography with headphones, but listening to his vocals along with his band live was a transcendental experience. The beat of the drums, the vibrations of the electric guitars, and the cheers of the audience constantly rippled throughout Radio City Hall.  

The dancers were an unforgettable part of the show, adding an extra dimension to every moment on stage. Their movements flowed seamlessly, almost as if the music had taken a hold of them. With a combination of grace and power, their expressions helped bring the songs and emotions to life. From up beat songs like “Kanden” to slower ones like “Lemon,” his dancers were stellar and elevated the stage with their precision and artistry.

For Fans Of 

Yonezu’s discography defies musical boundaries— each track transports listeners to a different world, perfectly tailored to any mood or moment. Whether you’re into sentimental anime soundtracks or adrenaline-pumping rock anthems, Yonezu has a track that will leave you hooked. For anime fans, you may be familiar with songs like “Peace Sign,” “PLAZMA,” and “Bow and Arrow,” the theme songs of hit series My Hero Academia, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, and Medalist. His performances of these songs brought a 2D world to life, making for an immersive moment. “Spirits of the Sea” was another performance that transported the crowd to an emotional underwater experience. For those who like pop songs, “MARGHERITA” and “LADY” are city pop songs with fun lighthearted tempos. 

Verdict

The JUNK World Tour was a one of a kind concert experience. With no recording allowed, the atmosphere made the experience more precious and intimate for fans. While there are no rumblings of another overseas tour coming up, Yonezu’s first international tour was a success. The exciting show has left fans anticipating the next.

Check out Yonezu on his socials: Instagram, YouTube, and X!

Interested in more concert coverage? Check out our recap of NCT 127’s New York City show here!