Ayumu Imazu arrives report of first Nono performance, including many challenges, declaring the beginning of a “new era”

Text by Morihideyuki
Photos by Hata Satoshi

Ayumu Imazu’s first hall tour, “Ayumu Imazu HALL TOUR 2025 “ERA”” began with LINE CUBE SHIBUYA in Tokyo on Thursday, March 20th, and toured Fukuoka, Aichi and Osaka. The additional performance and final of the tour, “Ayumu Imazu LIVE 2025 “ERA-FINAL”” was held on Sunday, May 11th at the Hibiya Park Daikon Music Hall in Tokyo. After a tour of the three major American cities with next-generation pop artist MAX in February this year and a long-awaited hall tour in Japan, None’s first solo show at None, was a culmination of the live styles of Ayumu Imazu that he has built up so far, and it was an innovative and challenging night that gave a sense of the entry into a new phase.

The first band members who appeared on None’s stage, which started at the start of the show were four band members, consisting of guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. Yes, the biggest challenge of the day was Ayumu’s first live performance with a band set. Ayumu appeared, led by the spectacular sound that the band unleashed, and started the live show with their first song, “Stranger.” The opening is clearly different from previous live performances, bringing out by the live performance, and you’ll instantly be captivated by the more vivid, realistic, and emotional singing voices. It invites the audience into Ayumu Imazu’s new era (=ERA) with the iconic phrase “Let’s go” Into a brand new day.

“No-no, are you excited?”

With this in mind, the band members of the familiar dancer team “AI’M Creative”, and a total of 12 people, including the band members and Ayumu, plunged into the second song, “BANDAGE.” The performances that matched the dancers also seemed to be even more excited than usual due to the grooves that are unique to live bands. “PARADISE” started after a moist piano intro and, as the words say, “I’m going to make this space a ‘paradise’!”, creates a comfortable mood that’s perfect for an outdoor live performance.

“It’s a band I’ve always wanted! As I continued rehearsals, I thought, ‘This is 100% of Ayumu Imazu,’ so I’ll do my best today.”

Ayumu, who spoke of his enthusiasm for the final performance, performed a “floating dream” in which the sound of the acoustic guitar amplifies the sadness. During the chorus, the hands of the audience swaying back and forth create a huge wave. At the end of the song, the microphone turned towards the audience, and a huge chorus was also created. In the following “Butterfly,” she sways freely like a butterfly, and lets out a singing voice that trembles her heart. In the second half of the song, the three dancers join in and captivate them with their sexy and cool dance. “HONEYCOMB” was filled with cheers during the intro, and the opening line was interwoven with stop motion and suddenly attracted into the world of the song. During the interlude, they pretended to be playing an air guitar with the dancers, causing a huge applause.

The band and dancers leave the stage for a while, and Ayumu, who has been alone, begins to speak. “My previous live shows have been a big hit and enjoyment. But this is the first time I’ve had a live show, and it’s really refreshing to feel like I’m communicating so much music. It feels really good to sing. I feel like I’m even more excited about the song. I hope that today, everyone can feel that way,” he reiterates his achievements at the band’s set. He also shared his thoughts on the “ERA” that was put into the final stages of the tours he has been making since his debut. That’s why I felt that I had to take the next step, so I gave it the title “ERA” to mean “end of the times.” On top of that, today’s final will be held on the theme of “the beginning of the times,” and will bring to the true essence of Ayumu Imazu.”

After that, Furui Riho was invited to the special guest and received the new song “LIVE IT UP! (feat. Furui Riho),” which was just released on Wednesday, April 23rd. The audience was excited by the cute singing voice of Furui with Ayumu’s vocals. In the chorus, everyone jumped up and down and shared an irreplaceable and fun time. In the next “Don’t Mind Me,” the AI’M members will be featured in catchy and pop scenes. The audience will join in by crap, adding even more color to the excitement of the song.

Using a large LED monitor installed in the stage back, the group was introduced to a corner introducing off-shots from everyday life related to Ayumu and AI’M Creative, and the following parts included “THRIFTED” which was released in February, as well as “The 66th Shining! “Obsessed,” which attracted a lot of attention as the winning song for the Japan Record Awards, was performed in a row, and was a series of horizontal numbers that fully demonstrated Ayumu’s worldwide musical sense. The venue was pleasant and groovy. As the sun sets and the lights become brighter, he says, “A rare ballad song,” and makes a “rain mark.” Sitting in a chair, the band’s performances of emotion, singing voices flowed sadly and gently. The voices, which unleashed their emotions as the band played, sparked a great deal of excitement.

Next, “I Want to Ii” was performed for the first time in a live performance, and was previously an unreleased song that was only available on social media. Originally, there were no plans to complete the show, but the full version was created to deliver it to her newly married couple who came to see the live show that day. Although the song was born from personal feelings, the hearts of all the people in the venue are warmly filled with love and Ayumu’s hearts, thanks to the hearts of all people in the venue.

Another song was sung by the unreleased song “Strawberry Kiss,” which could only be heard on social media. Here, Ayumu himself sang while playing electric guitar, playing the band, a performance unique to the day. The rock artist-like appearance he showed there was truly refreshing, and it made me realize once again the wide range of charms that Ayumu has.

After singing “Sunshower” which enveloped the venue with its best singing voice, Ayumu left the stage for a while and entered the Dance Break by AI’M. Their skillful dance sparked a loud cheer, and before they knew it, Ayumu had changed her costume and she cried out into “Over You” with a spectacular dance with the eight of them. Then, Ayumu cried, “Are you ready to have fun in the second half?”, spreading the audience in half, squealing “Hey!” and “Ho!” to the audience, and claps together to create the venue, “Where Do We Go!”, where everyone turned towels, crossed their shoulders and gave a headband, and “Tangerine,” where band members & AI’M & Ayumu slammed a spectacular solo play, and the climax was livened up with a series of killer tunes.

“Superstar” was dropped at the end, pouring on the ever-increasing amount of heat. Ayumu, who delivered the opening theme in a cappella, vented the huge determination that spreads in her heart, saying, “I’m still only aiming for a better place. I hope I can continue to work with you until I become everyone’s “superstars,”” and put those feelings into the song, and delivered them to the end of the main story.

Ayumu is called to the “Ayumu” call and appears on stage again. When they announced that the next day, Monday, May 12th, his 25th birthday, the audience will receive a song called “Happy Birthday.” Furthermore, as the day of the live performance was Mother’s Day, everyone in the venue screamed loudly, “Thank you, Mom, as always!” The relationships that exist at Ayumu’s live show, such as everyone there being a family, are warm and comfortable. After a big stir with the “ATARI” performance as an encore, it was announced that RIKI, a member of AI’M, will leave the team at the same time. Riki holds back tears and expresses her gratitude, and Ayumu accepts her feelings and wraps them warmly. The message sung afterwards in the last number “Colors” of the day was a sung look at RIKI, and at the same time it should become a guide to illuminating the future for all.

This is the first None, who took in the brilliant time since his debut, gave him a sense of his strong will to take the next step after taking over his command. This was the best live performance, with more and more expectations for Ayumu Imazu’s “new era” that will begin in earnest from here.

■Setlist Playlist

[Release Information]

Ayumu Imazu “LIVE IT UP! (feat. Furui Riho)”
Release Date: 2025.04.23 (Wed.)
Tracklist:
1. LIVE IT UP! (feat. Furui Riho)

■Distribution link

■Ayumu Imazu Official Website