BABYMETAL are made to be viewed live. Because of that, they've released a lot of professionally shot performances, especially once they got popular enough to fill arenas in Japan. And I have watched all of these performances. I'm currently making my way through them for a second time, and I've decided to take notes so I can give my thoughts on each one. As Su-Metal says:
A: Short answer -- no. Long answer --
I've only seen BABYMETAL live once, because I had the terrible timing of getting into them during a lockdown. However, I took my housemate, who I shall be calling Friend-Metal, because they like live music, and I was anxious about going on my own. There was a point during the opening act where the lead singer got us all to cheer for BABYMETAL and then said "Come on, you can be louder than that! They're right back there!" and I grabbed Friend-Metal like I was about to pass out, "THEY'RE RIGHT BACK THERE!!!!!"
Friend-Metal was less amped up. We'd spent a lot of money on these tickets -- the understanding is that the band will therefore show up. They didn't understand why I was so excited anew at the thought of Su, Moa, and Momo being in the same building as us. About to come out and sing and dance for us, live, in person, right there!!!!
They started to get it once the girls came onstage, and they've told me really got it about halfway through Monochrome, their favourite song.
"I was throwing the fox sign so intensely and I had a moment of clarity that this wasn't about supporting a friend in their special interest anymore; I was just sincerely having the best time."
So after, I decided to show them a couple of proshot gigs, since they'd expressed interest. First, Clear Night, because it was at the time the only show we had with the new line-up. And Budokan Black Night, because I wanted to show the tutu era.
Friend-Metal: "That was a lot of fun! We should watch some more of those!"
Me: just maniacal cackling, lasting an unseemly length of time
Anyway, we accidentally watched every gig in two months.
I need you to understand, that is 41 gigs, plus some festivals. We have two other housemates -- we were not fun to live with during this time.
After we'd finished them, with only new things to look forward to, and a sensible amount of time having past, we decided to start over
In conclusion -- move in with someone and then infect them with your hyperfixation. Can't recommend highly enough. You will lose the ability to hold a normal conversation with other people though, but that wasn't really an issue for me beforehand, so it seems like a good trade.
