JO1, an 11-member Japanese boy band formed by Produce 101 Japan, kicked off the North American leg of their world tour in Los Angeles on March 1st. Fans, also known as JAM, packed into The Belasco, lining up early in anticipation of an unforgettable night. 

The group took the stage in unison and opened with “Love Seeker,” dressed in black jackets with eye-catching crystal details and blue jeans. Instantly capturing the audience’s attention, JO1 transitioned into “Happy Unbirthday,” a groovy, high-energy song that saw member, KEIGO take off his jacket before a powerful dance break under striking red lights. The group also performed “Grandmaster” as a nod to their Produce 101 days. This song was a marvel to witness as the members broke into a dance break showcasing anime references and breakdancing moves. The immediate transition to their newest title track, “Where Do We Go,” showcased their growth as artists over the past five years.

After a JAM-packed opening set of six songs, the group took an intermission to take a moment to interact with fans, sharing their excitement for performing in LA. Leader SHO highlighted the significance of this concert as the first-ever solo show in the US as they had previously performed at KCON LA 2023. RUKI expressed his gratitude to fans for lining up early to see them. JO1 expressed their love for fans and gratitude to witness JAM’s energy, and power and hear their voices singing along. The members also discussed food cravings, with SYOYA excitedly mentioning lobster, In-N-Out, steak, and SUKAI wanting to eat tacos. KEIGO playfully responded that he wanted to eat JAM.

Before moving on to the next segment and song, REN teased the audience by calling “Icy” his favorite song and describing it as “sexy.” With house and trap R&B elements, the song seamlessly blended intricate choreography with smooth vocals. As the set continued, thunderstorms and rain effects created a dark transition into an R&B rendition of “Black Out,” a Produce 101 hit followed by “Love & Hate.” Both songs featured R&B elements and a break from the intense choreography that started the night off.

This led the group into the next intermission when members engaged in playful exchanges with fans. After asking JAM about their favorite songs, TAKUMI shared a relatable anecdote with everyone, revealing that he locked himself out of his hotel room, not once but twice! JO1 then moved on to the next song, “Be With You,” introducing it as a heartfelt message from them to fans, performed while seated on stools.

The concert continued with “Hideout”, featuring addictive hand choreography, from the movie Out in which members SHO, SHOSEI, and SUKAI acted. The next songs, “Lemon Candy” and “Stay” provided a playful atmosphere where the members interacted with the audience, and clapped together along to the beat. JUNKI brought out a selfie stick to capture moments with members and JAM, passing it among the other members. The next intermission gave way to the show’s theme, “Wherever We Are,” where JUNKI promised JAM that no matter where they were, JO1 would always hold them close and return soon. SHO then exclaimed that the next day would be REN’s birthday, and the group surprised him with a birthday cake. The Belasco, full of fans, erupted into a chorus of fans singing Happy Birthday as REN blew out his candles, marking his 28th year.

The night turned deeply emotional as each member read heartfelt letters to JAM, expressing their love, gratitude, and aspirations of performing in bigger venues in the future. They spoke about their joy in crossing the Pacific Ocean to see fans, their excitement about experiencing LA, and their shared love for the delicious food the city has to offer.  Some members added a touch of humor, with KEIGO wearing a banana hat costume in honor of his solo song, “Banana,” and SHION referencing Dragon Ball Z with a pose at the end of his letter.

The final stretch of the concert was nothing short of exhilarating as the group performed a medley of high-energy songs. “Trigger” had TAKUMI, nicknamed TK, hyping up the crowd, leading into “Rose” and “Supercali,” Where each member showcased his personality through individual freestyle dances. MAME kept the energy high by asking fans to “Make some noise!” as they transitioned to “Walk It Like I Talk It.” As the show neared its conclusion, “Test Drive” united the group and their fans, with an upbeat rhythm and members twirling towels, which they later tossed into the audience as a memorable “final” sendoff.

Even though JO1 exited the stage, SHO returned to the stage alone for a deep bow and a touching thank you to JAM. However, the fans were not ready to say goodbye just yet, chanting “JO1! JO1!” until the group returned for an encore performance of one more song, “Radio Vision.” JO1 ended the night on a high note with a groovy song and JAM singing along. 

JO1’s first-ever US tour left no doubt about their rising global presence, seeing fans traveling from far and wide to see the members perform powerful and emotional songs. It was truly heartwarming to see the connection the group had with JAM, making this show an experience to remember. As they promised to return, one thing was certain--wherever JAM is, JO1 will always be sure to follow.