BABYMETAL, Halestorm, Violent Vira
Cynthia Woods Pavilion
September 25, 2026
“Siri, what is a Babymetal?”
Just kidding. I’d rather chew my own finger off, Zec style, than use one of those stupid “virtual assistants.” Where was I? Oh right, BABYMETAL. Trying to describe them — the music or the act itself — can be troublesome. You could try to start by citing their origins with the Japanese idol band Sakura Gakuin. But going into much detail might cause your intended audience’s eyes to glaze over.
And going into an internet deep dive on “idol bands” can get icky in short order.
So you could talk about their collaborations with bands like Poppy, Bring Me the Horizon, or Five Finger Death Punch. Maybe that gets you a little further, contrasting their (occasionally disconcerting) keening voices with sludgy guitars and Cookie Monster vocals.
But any description of BABYMETAL is useless without talking about their live shows. Three young women (Su-metal, Moametal, Momometal) backed by masked musicians known as the Kami Band, whipping through a highly choreographed set backstopped by dizzying video show that could give seizures to comatose epileptics.
Even thus prepared, it’d be hard to translate last night’s show at the Woodlands Pavilion. I’ll give it a shot.
Entering to “BABYMETAL DEATH,” a song that begins with a deceptively lovely orchestral melody accompanied by a spoken intro that — frankly — could use some work from a professional translator. Something about joining forces with a metal resistance to usher in a new era of heavy metal. There’s also a cryptic reference to the “Fox God.”
That lead into what sounds like the breakdown to Metallica’s “One,” then launches into a speed attack that lets you know right off the bat how accomplished the Kami Band is. It’s mostly instrumental, except for the band introducing themselves (“Su-metal desu,” etc.). And we’re off.
“from me to u” (the aforementioned Poppy collab, obviously she wasn’t there) followed. It establishes what makes the band’s approach so interesting, contrasting thrash riffs with Su-metal’s often lovely voice (Moametal and Momometal do sing backup, but mostly dance). Seeing these three women, clad last night in spiky iridescent outfits that wouldn’t have looked out place in the original Star Trek, go through painstakingly orchestrated dance routines while your eardrums are assaulted is, what’s the word, discombombulating?
It’s also fucking great. What I’ve described only skims the surface of the experience. The whole endeavor can sound like a joke. But when you see the crowd response to songs like “PA PA YA!!” and “Monocrhome” — sung in Japanese, no less — their appeal is undeniable. There were certainly a few skeptics in the crowd. I sat next to a couple of them. But by the end of set (“RATATATAT,” “Gimme Chocolate!!”), even the doubters were on their feet.
The only real complaint: the set is too short. Encore numbers “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!! ” and “Road of Resistance” had barely faded out when I realized not even 90 minutes had gone by. I know the Woodlands has a noise ordinance, but surely that could’ve thrown in “Megitsune” or “KxAxWxAxIxI” for us sickos.
On paper, I admit, BABYMETAL sounds like a ludicrous concept. Three sweet-looking young ladies singing and dancing to crunchy riffage and with songs about worrying how chocolate might affect their figure (yup) absolutely should not work. And yet it does. Leave your cynicism at the gate and check them out.
How Were The Openers?
Despite a name that makes you think of someone shooting up Mel’s Diner, Violent Vira earned the crowd’s appreciation (and surprise, probably). Her voice goes from mournful ballad to savage howls with ease, which can be a bit disconcerting, coming from such a diminutive young woman.
Wasn’t familiar with Halestorm, but they fairly ripped through a quick set that included “Freak Like Me,” “Darkness Always Wins,” and an inspired cover of “Bad Romance.” They were exuberant with just a soupçon of existential despair. Lead singer Lizzy Hale has a great wail, and reassured us that “we’re all freaks.” It’s nice to be recognized.
Personal Bias: Man, you “like” one song on Spotify…
The Crowd: Definitely one of the more diverse audiences I’ve seen: kids with hesher parents, greybeard metalheads, Goths, and a hilarious smattering of befuddled. golf-shirt clad dads.
Overheard In The Crowd:b “Dude, I’ve been *so* good, but I will set this shit off!”
Random Notes App Dump: “Damn, wish I’d bought a T-shirt.”
SET LIST
BABYMETAL DEATH
from me to u
PA PA YA!!
Song 3
BxMxC
Sunset Kiss
Monochrome
Syncopation
METALI!!
Iine!
RATATATA
Gimme Chocolate!!
ENCORE
Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!
Road of Resistance
