OOR wrote this song to commemorate the eligible voting age in Japan being lowered to 18. The message was to push the youth to do better than their predecessors and to believe in themselves in paving a brighter future. This performance was for a TV programme called 18Fest. The band members watched thousands of videos sent by 18 year olds from all over Japan and selected 1000 of them to participate and sing in this performance.
This was an event put on by Japan's national television station, NHK. They called for 18-year-olds from all over the country who wanted to sing along with ONE OK ROCK. NHK then asked ONE OK ROCK to write a song to sing together with 18-year-olds. 1,000 18-year-old men and women selected from all over the country received voice training from experts and then filmed the show. ONE OK ROCK created a wonderful masterpiece that beautifully expressed the worries and hopes of young people, and then sang it together with the young people. It was a wonderful program that encouraged young people who will live in the future.
Don't worry, I cry every FUCKING TIME I watch this performance. There's so much power & incredible energy from all those people. It's breathtaking... Wow
This was a semi-rehearsed concert. The "audience" was 1000 18 year olds chosen from around Japan and they rehearsed for months for this performance. This video was finally when the kids were able to perform with the band. Others have already given the rest of the backstory in the comments. Highly suggest you check out the song at Ambitions Japan Dome Tour too to get a feel for the song in a real concert environment.
I'm so happy that this version is being recommended more. This 18fes performance shows you exactly why OOR is truly special in every way. The reason this version is so emotional is because Taka wrote this song for them. Since we're talking about music making us emotional I think it's really important to see Taka's most emotional performance, Nobody's Home" live at Yokohama arena 2012. He wrote it for his parents to apologize for all of the shit he put them through, including dropping out of school and running away from home at 16. His parents are at that concert too, so he yells I love you guys.
Just for making sure, you should turn on the English auto translation caption in the beginning of this video. The video narrator explained the background story of this performance and Taka was giving strong messages to these young adults. It's not 100% complete, but the subtitles do helps us to grasp the messages 90%
If you want to see vulnerable Taka voice, you should watch him sing Numb with Linkin Park, he was too emotional and some says his ear monitor was fail. But i think one bad day doesn't write him off as an awesome vocalist. If you want to hear them play classical rock, listen to When They Turn athe Lights On, you'll surely surprise with it.
There are many Reactors that deal with “We Are” in the process of Reacting OOR, but I am glad that you chose the “18Fes ver.” instead of the “official ver.” one!
This was a special 18-year-old child to adult children who were recruited and singing in cooperation with their favorite band, so everyone is singing. There is a culture in Japan that basically does not sing but concentrates on the person's voice and listens unless the singer gives a signal to sing🤣
One ok rock is, without a doubt, my favourite band, and I just love their music! Got to see them live in London last summer and luckily got tickets to their upcoming show in London in October!!! The performances from 18FES is amazing, and would definitely recommend you to check out another japanese band called Radwimps and the song Sekai. I'm guessing you'll tear up to that one as well, I sure do every time :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xKjFYKWCDas.html
We Are (1:09:01) Live @ L'Olympia - Paris, France ONE OK ROCK - FULL CONCERT - July 13 2023 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7Tq7ySlDwhI.htmlsi=Fi45SW-PqzOuPJCf
Japanese bands just rock (pardon the pun) and though most of my favourites are all girl bands (BABYMETAL, BAND-MAID, HANABIE and so many more) I've found a place for One Ok Rock in my musical journey. Not sure why all these bands appeal but it's the same with cinema. Love Japanese horror. ~ Tabitha
