On Saturday night, the excitement of the convention boiled over as lines stretched across the Hynes, and people gathered en masse in hopes that they would be able to get into the night’s big event. Stereopony was scheduled to play, and it seemed like everybody wanted in. Impromptu Pokemon battles, card games, and cosplay photo shoots cropped up as people tried to make the time go by more quickly. As 11:00 ticked by, and people rolled into the main auditorium, fans began to chatter excitedly. Some were curious about the group, others were long-time listeners hoping to hear their favorite songs.
As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience that was quickly broken as the band took the stage. The cheers grew to a roar as the stage lighting kicked on, and the band began playing Smilife, which flowed straight into Otome Gokoro Hey Hey Hey. The group then paused, to deliver prepared statements to the audience.
After the short interlude, the group continued to burn down the house, as they played a selection of titles from their two albums and the Chiisana Mahou single. Anime hits like Hitohira no Hanabira (Bleach) and Namida no Mukou (Mobile Suit Gundam 00) were played along with the group’s other hits, including Cherry My… and Nagareboshi. For their Boston audience, the group prepared a special treat. Midway through the show, the girls played two English songs: Wild World, a B-side from the Chiisana Mahou single, and a cover of Green Day’s American Idiot.
For the show, the girls brought their absolute best. Aimi’s strong guitar riffs and clean vocals were accented by Shiho’s proficient drumming and Nohana’s animated bass-work. The three girls seemed to relish their time on stage, as they poured their souls into each note. Even as the final song of the show wrapped up, and the band said their goodbyes, the room remained abuzz with electricity and excitement.
The trio provided, hands down, the greatest experience of the show. While the music no longer echoes through the halls of the Hynes, the memories are something that will be talked about for years to come. The concert was a magical experience, and one that will linger with fans going forward.
Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.
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