Japan’s metal idols BABYMETAL took over Knotfest Melbourne on 28 February, delivering a set that blurred the lines between brutality and choreography.
If anyone doubted their place among the festival’s heaviest hitters, the crowd’s response shut that down fast.
BABYMETAL hit the stage with ‘BABYMETAL DEATH’, a fitting opener that set the tone for a high-energy performance. From the first note, the trio—Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal—commanded the stage, backed by their ever-formidable KAMI Band. The pit ignited early with ‘Distortion’ before ‘Megitsune’ had the crowd chanting along to its signature “Sore! Sore! Sore!” battle cry.
With precision that could only come from years of training, BABYMETAL tore through ‘BxMxC’ and ‘METALI!!’, the latter arriving after a blistering instrumental showcase from the KAMI Band. ‘KARATE’ had fists pumping, but the night’s wildest moment came when the band unleashed ‘RATATATA’, their collaboration with Electric Callboy. The mix of electronic beats and breakdowns had the crowd bouncing in unison.
As the set hit its final stretch, BABYMETAL cranked the energy even higher. ‘PA PA YA!!’ turned the pit into a cyclone, ‘Gimme Chocolate!!’ brought its signature playful chaos, and ‘Road of Resistance’ closed the show in an explosion of lights, riffs, and unwavering stamina.
For a festival built on heaviness, BABYMETAL proved once again that their brand of metal is just as formidable as any other. They didn’t just hold their own at Knotfest—they owned it.
