The group ILLIT decorated the main stage of a large-scale festival in splendor. Placards bearing ILLIT's faces and name were visible throughout the venue, showing their intense popularity.
ILLIT (Yoon-a, Min-ju, Moka, Won-hee, Iroha) on the 14th participated in the "Rock in Japan Festival 2025" (ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025, hereafter "RIJF") held at Soga Sports Park in Chiba, Japan, and performed all 11 songs with full band live.
RIJF, marking its 26th year this year, is one of Japan's four major rock festivals and boasts an attendance of more than 200,000 people each year. ILLIT took the main stage (GRASS STAGE), which can accommodate about 40,000 people, on the festival's second day and filled the stands.
ILLIT, who appeared with a grand opening that announced the start of the magic, opened brightly with the title track of their first Japanese single released on the 1st, "Toki Yo Tomare" (original title 時よ止まれ/Toki Yo Tomare). They then raised the energy with a swing version of "Tick-Tack" rearranged to suit the festival atmosphere and a Nu-Disco version of "Lucky Girl Syndrome." At the performance of "Almond Chocolate," which was loved on local charts in the first half of this year, the audience screamed as soon as the prelude played.
ILLIT's live skills and stage presence stood out. They reinterpreted the dance song "Cherish (My Love)" with intense rock sound, showcasing excellent vocal ability in front of standing microphones and displaying a different charm. On the stages of "I'll Like You" and "Topping," they moved closer to the audience to sing and interact. ILLIT shouted, "We're confident in live stages with a band, so let's enjoy it together. We will pour out all the energy we have," heating up the venue.
During the "oops!" performance, the crowd-filled venue created a spectacular scene as everyone simultaneously waved towels in time with the chorus lyrics. In response, ILLIT unleashed powerful energy with high-difficulty choreography on the "jellyous" stage, and during "Borrowed Cat (Do the Dance)" and "Magnetic," tens of thousands of spectators cheered, turning the venue into a frenzy of excitement.
After performing continuously for 40 minutes, ILLIT marveled, "The audience's energy today is incredible. The atmosphere is the best, just as we expected." The members jokingly added, "While singing, we secretly cast a magic spell on you all. Now only lucky things will happen to everyone," exciting the audience.
Meanwhile, according to HYBE (chairman Bang Si-hyuk) music group label Belift Lab, interest in ILLIT's performances in Japan is growing. TBS's popular variety show Late Night Brunch, which aired on the 10th, focused on their first Japanese fan concert, 2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN JAPAN. The live stage they presented on NHK's flagship music program Venue101 on the 13th is also receiving a positive response from local fans.
[Photo] Belift Lab
*Photo source: Belift Lab
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