Ado kicks off Osaka-Kansai Expo with electrifying live show
To mark the start of the Osaka-Kansai Expo on the 13th of April, the acclaimed singer Ado graced the Expo Arena, known as “Matsuri,” with a special live musical performance.
The announcement of this exclusive concert was officially made in September 2024, garnering considerable attention, particularly due to a full-page advertisement featured in the esteemed New York Times.
This advertisement showcased an original illustration created by ORIHARA, who serves as Ado’s image director.
At the time of the initial announcement, Ado conveyed her enthusiasm and honor regarding the upcoming performance, commenting:
“I will be holding a special live concert to mark the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo to be held in 2025. I am truly honored to have been given such a valuable opportunity. Through my performance, I hope to be able to showcase the greatness of my beloved Japanese culture and the vibrant music emanating from Japan to the world. I am very much looking forward to it!”
A lottery system was implemented to manage the high demand for tickets to this exclusive concert.
When the live show finally commenced at the scheduled time of 7:45 pm on the 13th April, a substantial audience of approximately 16,000 fortunate individuals who had successfully secured tickets were completely captivated and enthralled by Ado’s powerful and emotive singing.
In addition to the ticket holders within the venue, the allure of Ado’s performance extended beyond the confines of the Expo Arena.
Thousands of fans who were unfortunately unable to obtain tickets to the exclusive concert still gathered in the vicinity, eager to experience the event in any capacity possible.
These devoted attendees were affectionately dubbed “sound leakage refugees” by fellow enthusiasts, highlighting their determination to partake in the musical experience even from outside the official concert grounds.
One such individual, a woman who had been unsuccessful in securing a ticket to the venue but nonetheless made her way to the Expo, shared her experience, stating, “There was a lot of sound leakage,” acknowledging the audible spillover from the concert.
She further added, “I didn’t get tickets, but my husband and two daughters did, so I’m going to enjoy it from outside”.
Ado is one of Japan’s most popular artists and has a busy schedule for 2025, with her first ‘best of’ album, “Ado’s Best Album,” having recently been released alongside a new collaboration with one of Japan’s largest karaoke chains.
Source: Sports Hochi
Image: Nikkan Sports News