Travis Japan Returns to Los Angeles for a Sold-Out Show on the ‘Road to A’ World Tour
Tokyo-based J-Pop group Travis Japan had a line of Traja-tan (fandom name) from the El Rey Theatre wrapped around the block down the side of the Korean Cultural Center. No wonder – the group sold out their October 14 stop of the Travis Japan World Tour 2024: Road to A in Los Angeles along with the other stops of their first-ever world tour. The group is made up of seven members including Chaka, Shime, Genta, Noel, Machu, Shizu, and Umi who lit up the stage in the familiar city.
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
In 2022, the group officially debuted with their single “JUST DANCE!,” but the group has been in development since 2012. Travis Japan is not an unknown name in the U.S., as they appeared on season 17 of America’s Got Talent in 2022, World of Dance, and lived in Los Angeles for training. They signed with Capitol Records to release their music globally and that is what they continue striving towards reaching new fans globally. Not only did they train in Los Angeles, but they even filmed their music video at Venice Beach for the second song of the night, “JUST DANCE!.”
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
The night kicked off with lots of energy as the group performed “LEVEL UP,” “JUST DANCE!,” and “My Dreamy Hollywood.” During the performance of “My Dreamy Hollywood,” the members broke out neon-lit canes and tap danced in sync, spinning the canes and tossing them into the air. After the first three songs, each member introduced themselves and greeted the crowd, enthusiastically shouting, ”MAKE SOME NOISE!,” and “WHAT’S UP, LA?” This sparked chants among the audience, creating an engaging back-and-forth atmosphere. Sharing memories in LA, they said they really liked The Grove, which is located not far from the theatre.
Incorporating what looked like Kitsune masks and colorful fans, they delivered dynamic performances showcasing just their dancing. It featured a mixture of their songs and then ended with a short snippet of “My Dreamy Hollywood.” Watching them perform brought joy as they continued to sing songs like “Okie Dokie!,” “Sweetest Tune,” “King of the Jungle,” and “Candy Kiss.” Each member had solo moments on stage to show their hip-hop skills while the instrumental music played, allowing them to hit each movement in sync with the beat. Noel executed multiple flips throughout the different choreography showcasing his energy and skill.
Photo Cr: Aliyah Hinckley
Their catchy songs invited interactions among the members, which were seamlessly integrated into the choreography, enhancing their connection with the crowd. They even covered Katy Perry’s “Firework,” presenting their original choreography created by Shizu, with the members pointing to him in appreciation. Throughout the night, the group showcased their talented vocals with constant pitch, soaring high notes, and a smooth mix of tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.
Known for being a dance and performance pop group, Travis Japan certainly lived up to their reputation. In attendance was award-winning American choreographer Travis Payne, after whom the group is named. Many fans after the show, noticed him on the balcony and cheered for him, and later, he even stood outside, taking the time to pose for photos with fans.
Grateful for the support and love that the fans showed during the concert, the members thanked Traja-tan for coming, shared how much fun this concert was, and said their goodbyes. It’s common for artists to perform and then leave the stage after the last song, only to return for an encore – and that is exactly what Travis Japan did. However, when the encore ended, fans didn’t budge. The venue lights turned on, but the fans stood firm in place. The group took notice of this offstage, and unexpectedly, the lights dimmed, erupting cheers from the crowd. The members took to the mic, playfully asking why no one was going home, which brought laughter from the audience as they walked back onto the stage. What a surprise for both Travis Japan – curious about the lingering fans – and for Traja-tan, eager to hear one more song.
Lastly, Chaka said the last words, having the members and the crowd hold out their hands, and if they agreed with Chaka, once he finished his speech, the members encouraged everyone to say “sansei” – which means agreement, favor, support – if they agreed with his speech about Travis Japan and everyone moving forward, growing and spreading globally. The crowd unanimously raised their arms into the air cheering, “SANSEI!” It was the perfect way to conclude the night as the group performed an acoustic rendition of “My Dreamy Hollywood,” the song they shared with the world on America’s Got Talent, and now closing their show right here in LA on their first sold-out world tour.
The group went on to wrap up their world tour in New York on October 16. Travis Japan also announced their second studio album VIIsual, set for release on December 4, 2024, through Universal Japan and Capitol Records. Their pre-release singles "Crazy Crazy" and "Fly Higher," dropped on October 21. For fans unable to attend the upcoming shows, they can catch the band's special YouTube livestream event on October 28.