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Photo Cr. Emma Vurdien // KpopWise |
Returning to Los Angeles as part of their DETOX North American tour, Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK delivered an unforgettable night of raw emotion, unrelenting energy, and deep connection with their fans. Comprised of vocalist Taka, guitarist Toru, bassist Ryota, and drummer Tomoya, the band last performed in LA for a massive show at the Kia Forum during their PREMONITION World Tour. Now back with their new album DETOX and a refined set, their performance at the iconic Greek Theatre proved just how much they’ve evolved, not just musically, but in spirit and purpose.
Opening the night was Australian pop-punk band Stand Atlantic, who took the stage and immediately set the tone for the evening. Their exciting set successfully warmed up the crowd and laid the foundation for what would become an explosive main act.
ONE OK ROCK began their show with the stage bathed in moody blue and purple hues. One by one, the band members emerged: Tomoya taking his place at the drums, followed by Ryota and Toru on opposite ends of the stage. Taka strode to center stage and launched into “Puppets Can’t Control You,” igniting the crowd from the first note. The momentum surged forward with fan-favorite “The Beginning,” during which Taka worked every corner of the stage, while Ryota and Toru headbanged in sync, swapping sides midway through the performance.
Taka’s powerful vocals carried through “Save Yourself” and “Let Me Let You Go,” showcasing his ability to seamlessly shift from gritty rock anthems to emotional notes. A brief moment between songs gave Taka the chance to express his love for LA, calling it “his home,” and sharing how excited he was to return.
After the first part of the show, Ryota, Toru, and Tomoya took some time to connect with the crowd. Ryota proclaimed, “I have a mission… I want to find the loudest fans in the world. I heard LA fans are the loudest. Is that true?” The roaring crowd didn’t disappoint. Toru thanked fans for making the tour possible, rallying each section of the venue to cheer louder than the last. Tomoya lightheartedly shouted, “I love the Dodgers! I love Erewhon Market!” sending the crowd into fits of laughter and applause.
A thunderous instrumental section followed, with colorful lights and lasers illuminating the stage as Ryota, Toru, and Tomoya jammed in perfect sync. The spotlight shone on each member highlighting Ryota for a bass moment, Toru on the guitar, and Tomoya for an electrifying drum solo. When Taka burst back onto the stage, the band launched into a upbeat performance of “C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.,” which ended with him jumping down to the front row, gripping fans’ hands to hold himself up as he sang out to the crowd.
Another reflective moment followed as Taka spoke about his personal journey from moving to LA nearly a decade ago, struggling at first to understand the culture and language, and ultimately finding that the city had profoundly shaped his growth. He spoke of long-time friend and collaborator Tyler Carter and the album DETOX they created together. Taka emphasized how important this album was to the band because of its political tone. “I don’t give a sh*t about the government though,” he declared. “I am the f**king lead singer of ONE OK ROCK. I believe in the power of music.” That declaration flowed directly into “Delusion:All,” a blistering anthem of resistance and identity.
In one of the show’s most powerful moments, Taka sprinted through the venue during “Stand Out Fit In,” climbing all the way to the back of the Greek Theatre and singing from the rear barricade, embracing fans along the way. After the song, he addressed the crowd in Japanese, touching on the universality of emotions and the power of connection beyond language. He also spoke honestly about anti-Asian discrimination and how moments like this, where people are united through music, send a message the world needs to hear. “Sorry that I was speaking Japanese,” he joked afterward, “but we live in this SNS world. You guys can find it somewhere online or use that AI sh*t to translate it,” sending the crowd into laughter.
As a special surprise, Tyler Carter joined the band on stage for “Decision.” He and Taka shared a heartfelt hug, a reflection of their decade-long friendship, before singing the track together in a powerful and emotional duet.
To close out the show, the band connected warmly with their fans. Taka and Toru donned Sonic and Tails hats thrown to them from the crowd, Tomoya tossed paper airplanes into the audience, and Ryota snapped candid photos with his camera from the stage. They gathered fan-made flags and signs filled with heartfelt messages, laying them across the stage as they sat together for a final photo with their LA crowd.
