_{Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)}

BABYMETAL w/ Bloodywood & Magnolia Park at AEC Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia, 14/3/26

If there was one thing that was certain as I followed the line that wrapped around Adelaide’s Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, it is that the people of South Australia have been waiting for a long time to see the trailblazers of kawaii metal. The Japanese phenomenon known as BABYMETAL has been creating a stir for a long time now, and on their third visit to Australia, it was finally time for Adelaide (and Perth) to get a taste of it firsthand. 

Unfortunately, the night did not get off to the best start, with the doors being delayed for over an hour. This delay caused a little bit of a ripple effect as organisers did not want the show to go over the scheduled time. So merch lines and lines to get that sneaky drink before heading into the venue meant that show openers, Magnolia Park did not get some of the benefits that a sold-out venue can bring. Still, the diehards and those curious enough were more than ready to welcome the Florida band to the stage.

Missing the first few minutes myself coming in, I was surprised at the band’s heaviness. Only being acquainted with their music from a few scrolls on TikTok, Magnolia Park had always been sold to me as a more pop-punk band. Perhaps that was misguided, and while there were some elements, I was not expecting to enjoy their set so much. Their alternative hard rock style is heavy, smooth and hits in all the right places. Opening with ‘Animal’, which I luckily caught the end of, the energy they were giving the crowd was contagious. It took a while for the punters to return it, though, even missing a wall of death cue, but it did not dampen the experience at all. Frontman Joshua Roberts has the most hypnotic voice, and the hypeman vibes of guitarist Tristan Torres did not go unnoticed. I will be extremely honest, I originally was not 100% sold on having them as openers on this tour, but after their set, I totally changed my tune. Oh, and how great is Joe Horsham on the drums! Incredible. 

As excited as I was for this BABYMETAL tour, I have another confession to make: Bloodywood was the selling point. After ‘Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)’ dropped a few years ago, I have been keeping a close eye on this band. Within seconds of them hitting the stage, my already high expectations were exceeded. Their production and sound were so on point, and it felt as if I was being enveloped in a wave of sound. The drums hit right into my heartbeat, and I swear I could feel it on a cellular level. It was all encompassing, and by song two, ‘Aaj’, I was actually emotional. Nobody around me was still. Even those who seemed a little hesitant (perhaps even a little close-minded) could not control their body movements. Each song felt like an epic. Intense. Powerful. Filled with an unmatched groove. I could see people just looking each other with amazement throughout the entire set.

On vocals, Jayant Bhadula is an absolute powerhouse. Raoul Kerr harmonises magnificently with his rhymes and flows, and between the two of them, they delivered some really beautiful messages of positivity and inspiring messages. As they described the journey to being able to play in Australia, there was a real sense of genuine gratitude. Even when singing about punching rapists in the face (‘Dana Dan’), it was an absolute joy from start to finish. There is no doubt in my mind that Bloodywood will be welcomed back with open arms. 

Then it was time for our main event, the one and only BABYMETAL. One thing is for certain: a BABYMETAL show is more than just a concert. It is an experience. Every single moment is coordinated. It felt like watching a stage production rather than just seeing a band perform. Opening with ‘BABYMETAL DEATH’, the pyro, the screens, the intro…it was heavy metal theatre. The hardcore fans knew exactly what to do in the right moments. From the mosh, the movements, to the chants. The synchronisation, the coordination of the three women, was nothing short of elite. The masked musicians that made up the Kami Band were able to flex their skills from the start, and while you knew they were there, they somehow became invisible in the moments where it wasn’t their time to shine. 

After that epic intro, they went straight into the kawaii ‘DOKI DOKI MORNING’, and the place became unglued. For many in the audience, it was their first BABYMETAL show, but the veterans showed them how to do it. From the beginning, Su-metal had one of the most commanding presences I’ve ever seen from a front person. Despite the cutesy and joyful nature of a lot of their music, she has the poise and control that makes her an absolute force. The trio are no longer young girls, but seasoned performers, and as they’ve aged, their unique personalities are really shining through. 

View this post on Instagram

They performed a great mix of older songs while still showcasing their latest album METALFORTH. Any of the collaborations was accompanied by some intense visuals that once again made you feel like you were experiencing a stage show and a concert at the same time. When it came down to ‘Kon! Kon!’, the lads from Bloodywood returned to the stage, upping the ante of the show into the stratosphere. Where it really went off, though, was when they got the crowd involved through the cameras with their collaboration track ‘RATATATA’. That led into an insane run of songs of ‘PA PA YA!!’ and ‘GIMME CHOCOLATE!’. 

As they left the stage, an encore was imminent, and the Adelaide fans were relentless in their demands. The persistence and waiting paid off, which was kind of the theme of the night, with how long South Australia had been waiting to finally get them to the state, and they finished with the anthem that probably had everybody waking up with very sore necks the next day, ‘HEADBANGEEEEERRRRR!!!!!’ and ‘Road of Resistance’. A solid performance that has to be experienced at least once to really understand why BABYMETAL deserves the accolades that they get. 

Another thing that really stood out was the variety of people in attendance. Parents with their children on their shoulders, older bearded metalheads, young girls dressed up in the fit…their fanbase is all encompassing. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea at the end of the day, but I would urge everybody to experience BABYMETAL at least once.

Oh and we need to get Bloodywood back ASAP.