Review: AVANTGARDEY TOUR 2026
From AGT to Sold-Out Halls: avantgardey’s Evolution Continues
avantgardey: A dance team produced by akane(Read: Interview: Producer akane Makes AGT Finalist, avantgardey Go Viral), the choreographer behind “Bubbly Dance,” consisting of 16 members. Established in 2022, they gained recognition in 2023 as finalists on the renowned American famous TV show, "America’s Got Talent," and also performed in the same year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen（紅白歌合戦）,” one of the Japan’s biggest music TV shows. Known as the "mysterious uniformed bobbed-hair group," they have amassed global popularity on TikTok and Instagram. Furthermore, starting from May 16th, they held their Avantgardey Tour 2026. Here, we present the highlights from Osaka performance on May 23rd.
Even before the show began, the venue was already filled with excitement. Fans continuously shouted the members’ names and called out “We love you!” throughout the hall. The anticipation created a palpable sense of unity among the audience long before the curtain rose.
As the show began, all sixteen members appeared on stage in matching red dresses. The moment their silhouettes lined up across the stage, a roar of applause erupted from the crowd. During the member introduction segment, each performer showcased her individuality through ballet-inspired movements, acrobatics, and unique performance skills. Despite their identical bob hairstyles and uniforms, each member’s distinct personality shone through.
The energy surged as YOASOBI’s "Idol" blasted through the speakers. Bathed in purple lighting and surrounded by bursts of smoke, the group responded to the audience’s passionate cheers with a performance overflowing with intensity. Even during the most demanding choreography, their formations remained perfectly synchronized, highlighting the remarkable precision that has become their trademark.
The talk segments also showed significant growth compared to their previous solo concert (Read more: Review: AGT Finalist, avantgardey 1ST SOLO LIVE). Their quirky sense of humor and surreal exchanges generated laughter throughout the venue, creating an entertaining contrast to their highly disciplined dance performances.
The anime song medley opened with “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” featuring an impressive lift sequence that immediately captivated the audience. Later, Noguchi from Chibi Maruko chan made a surprise appearance on stage, joining the members for a performance of Odoru Ponpokorin. The unexpected crossover filled the venue with smiles.
During a segment inspired by the classic music program “The Best Ten,” comedian and impressionist Michiko Shimizu appeared on screen portraying Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The nostalgic recreation of a Showa-era television music show was met with enthusiastic applause.
For “Gakuen Tengoku,” the members returned in navy-blue costumes. They followed with “Furui Nikki,” complete with an Akiko Wada impersonation, before surprising the audience during “Kamen Butokai” with acrobatic backflips worthy of a top idol group.
The atmosphere reached another level during “Y.M.C.A.,” when the members stepped into the audience. Fans danced alongside them, transforming the entire hall into one enormous dance floor.
The concert then shifted into a nostalgic Heisei-era medley. “NO MORE CRY” evoked fond memories for many audience members, while “Renai Revolution 21” showcased astonishingly sharp choreography. It was the kind of performance that left many thinking they had never seen the song danced with such precision and intensity.
“Apollo” featured skillfully choreographed glow stick routines that created a visually stunning spectacle. For ”Shanghai Honey,” they descended into the audience and tossed signed balls into the crowd while running through the aisles.
A special photography-allowed segment followed, featuring the new song “BUZZ RUNNER.” Wearing yellow costumes, the members performed a memorable routine highlighted by a distinctive movement involving spinning part of their jackets, quickly drawing enthusiastic reactions from the audience.
The main set concluded with the original song "OKP Cipher." As the excitement reached its peak, silver streamers exploded across the venue, bringing the performance to a spectacular close.
During the encore, the group performed “Touch” by Koshi Inaba, a song used as the theme for a Netflix event campaign in which they also appeared. Their cool and confident presentation drew loud cheers from the audience.
They then moved into "Cinderella Honeymoon," arguably avantgardey’s signature number. Seeing in person the performance that captivated audiences on America’s Got Talent proved to be one of the evening’s most memorable moments.
In the final talk, each member shared heartfelt words with the audience. Messages such as “Osaka is the best!” and “I love all of you!” reflected their appreciation for the fans. They also recalled the group’s early days, noting that tickets had once been difficult to sell and expressing gratitude that even their NHK Hall performances had now sold out completely.
The final song of the night was Kamome Ga Tonda Hi. Once again, the members stepped into the audience, making eye contact and dancing with fans all the way to the back rows of the first floor. Until the very last moment, they continued to involve the entire venue in the celebration.
What stood out most throughout the evening was the astonishing level of polish. Their flawless synchronization, meticulously calculated formations, and unwavering commitment to entertainment combined to create an experience that could only be described as uniquely avantgardey.
This latest tour demonstrated just how far the group has evolved. The costumes, stage production, audience energy, and overall performance quality had all grown significantly since their earlier days. Having conquered international stages and experienced global success, avantgardey returned with a larger scale and greater confidence than ever before, delivering an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Photo Credit: [photo by ピー山/ Takafumi Yamashita]
To post a comment, you must register and login.