Ado leaves London fans spellbound from the shadows at UK debut

Born out of Japan’s highly popular utaite subgenre, Ado, now an arena filling multi-platinum artist, continues to remain shrouded in mystery to the public eye.

Utaite artists, known for covering VOCALOID songs online, often conceal their appearance behind anime-styled personas. Ado, following suit, maintains her anonymity even during live performances, where fans can only catch a glimpse of her silhouette.

Ado’s musical journey began in her bedroom, where she experimented with recording software during her formative years. Enthralled by the software’s vocal capabilities, she honed her skills by covering popular VOCALOID songs, thus shaping the dynamic vocal style she’s renowned for today.

Her breakout single ‘Usseewa’ (‘Shut up’), released in 2020 just before her 18th birthday, quickly soared to the top of multiple charts and earned platinum certification. Further solidifying her popularity, Ado contributed to the soundtrack of the acclaimed anime feature film One Piece Film: RED, with ‘New Genesis’ emerging as a highlight of her young career.

Photo by Viola Kam (V’z Twinkle)

Making her debut London appearance as part of the sold-out ‘Wish’ world tour, the Grade II-listed art deco venue, Troxy, served as the backdrop for one of the most intimate performances of the tour.

Fans eagerly queued outside the venue from early hours, some adorned in cosplay of Ado’s persona or One Piece characters. Upon entering, attendees encountered the imposing “Ado box”, a visual centerpiece that not only enhanced the stage setup but also played a crucial role in enforcing the strict no-camera policy to preserve Ado’s mystique.

Wrapped in transparent LED displays and flanked by notices warning attendees of the stringent rules, including the prohibition of binoculars due to rumours of potential misuse in conjunction with hidden cameras, the Ado box stood as a sentinel of privacy. If anyone were to breach the rules, the box would conceal Ado’s silhouette, allowing only her voice to permeate the venue.

Photo by Viola Kam (V’z Twinkle)

The atmosphere inside was electric as fans, some wielding light sticks, eagerly awaited Ado’s arrival. The crowd underscored their anticipation with roars of her name and “cameras off” chants, ensuring an uninterrupted experience.

As Ado took the stage, the audience erupted into cheers, signaling the start of what would be a one-of-a-kind visual and audio spectacle. A multifaceted light show enveloped the room, synchronising seamlessly with the graphics on the large background display and the box, adding an extra dimension to the visual impact.

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Each song had a unique visual narrative that enriched the atmosphere of every track. Backed by a spirited band, Ado showcased her versatile vocal range, seamlessly transitioning between harmonious highs, husky lows, and aggressive yells, much like her VOCALOID inspirations.

The night unfolded with a relentless setlist of 21 tracks spanning the diverse soundscape of her discography, ranging from hype pop ballads to massive club anthems, edgy chugging rock to groovy swing.

Core moments from her 2022 debut album ‘Kyogen’ peppered the set, an album recognised as the first debut studio album by a female solo artist to debut and peak at number one in 10 years. Additionally, tracks like the peppy rock Spy X Family opening ‘Kura Kura’ and the addictive EDM mega-hit ‘Show’ further highlighted the breadth of Ado’s musical prowess. Short moments of reflection and gratitude from Ado punctuated the night, adding a personal touch to the otherwise non-stop performance.

Photo by Viola Kam (V’z Twinkle)

Not one to forget her origins, a surprise cover of Miki Matsubara’s city pop staple ‘Mayonaka no Door (Stay with Me)’ paid homage to the classics, while a rendition of Kurousa-P’s ‘Senbonzakura’ ignited the crowd’s fervor.

Before concluding the memorable night with the thumping club banger ‘Odo’, produced by Giga and TeddyLoid, Ado expressed her gratitude for the European leg of the tour, emphasising the significance of her first international venture. Her parting words rang with sincerity and appreciation for her fans and the entire utaite community.

Ado’s London debut embodied the deep-seated admiration for this enigmatic figure, hailed as an icon by the younger generation. Her captivating voice mesmerised the audience, holding everyone spellbound and in awe of her presence. It was another stellar performance for Ado, demonstrating her boundless skill, versatile vocals, unwavering loyalty to her beginnings, and unmatched popularity.

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