Determined to pick up where they left off, the wolfmen of MAN WITH A MISSION have returned to Europe, a year after their last appearance in June 2023. Having graced European, and particularly French, stages for over ten years, these travelers from another world take great pleasure in transporting their audience into their universe, blending rock, pop, electro, and metal sounds depending on the song. The precise and meticulous formula continues to delight longtime fans while winning over more and more newcomers. The result: MAN WITH A MISSION once again played to a sold-out crowd on Friday, September 4th at the famous Trianon!
Diverse and disciplined. These would be the two words to describe the audience patiently awaiting 8:00 PM and the arrival of MAN WITH A MISSION on stage. Several generations mix among the thousand or so attendees: from the older fans who witnessed the arrival of Japanese culture in France, to the young teenagers whose weekends are spent watching the new wave of anime. With nearly fifteen years of career under their belts, the members of MAN WITH A MISSION have successfully reinvented themselves, keeping their original fan base while attracting a younger audience.
Disciplined because, despite the palpable impatience, the entry is calm, without any jostling. The wolfmen are the first to perform in France this fall, offering a chance to forget about the gloomy Paris weather and the return to work or school. Notably, there’s near-total respect for the rules laid out by MWAM’s staff: no photos or videos. Except for a few stubborn individuals, the members' anonymity and their desire to maintain mystery were respected throughout the 90-minute show. This detail was appreciated both by the audience and the band, who avoided performing in front of a sea of smartphones.
As the last arrivals take their places on the balconies or in the pit, the white spotlights fade to an exciting darkness. Heads turn towards the stage where blue lights create a mystical scene into which the first wolf steps, accompanied by the intro notes. The keyboardist is greeted with an ovation worthy of the group’s reputation. He enjoys a few moments on stage before being joined by the four other musicians, greeted by even more applause!
The cheers sync with the musical rhythm, naturally transitioning into the opening of “INTO THE DEEP”. MWAM kicks off their performance with a relatively recent track, from three years ago, immediately energizing the crowd, who bounce in rhythm, turning the Trianon floor into a giant trampoline. With no phones in hand, the audience’s arms remain raised, applauding the quintet, ending the song with their hands forming claws. After a booming “What’s Up Paris”, MAN WITH A MISSION launches into “Merry-Go-Round”, a key track in their discography that unites all their fans. Like an anthem, the lyrics are sung in unison by the crowd, who become the sixth member of the crew. The second opening of the 5th season of My Hero Academia unites the crowd under one banner, creating a sense of unity that lasts throughout the performance. As the final notes fade, the band speaks for the first time that night, expressing their joy at returning for this new tour, one year after their previous one.
Next come a few seconds during which the musicians warm up their audience, who respond enthusiastically and eagerly await the next track. Three new songs follow. The electro riffs energize the crowd, who sing along with the lyrics. The audience erupts, fueled by the fast pace and engaging lyrics. The guitar solo connects with younger fans, as mosh pits start forming in the front rows of the pit. The balconies rise as one, putting the venue’s architecture to the test. The guitarist speaks again, sharing a message of unity, saying that the next song is for everyone, regardless of nationality or culture. “Raise Your Flag” brings everyone together, inspiring the crowd to follow their dreams and make them a reality. Once again, the audience is swept up, motivated by the encouraging lyrics. Their diversity becomes a strength, reflecting the message of the song, as French flags wave in the hands of many fans.
MAN WITH A MISSION continues with two more tracks, igniting the crowd even further and raising the temperature. As the heat becomes palpable in the room, the wolfmen briefly leave the stage for a short break. A video plays on the screen to entertain the audience during the break. With a humorous tone, these few minutes show DJ SantaMonica getting a makeover. Fans catch their breath while laughing at the video’s final moments. Then, the guitarist returns alone, refreshed and energized. He’s glad to see that fans share the band’s sense of humor and explains that he needed a few minutes to escape the heat off the venue. What follows is a timeless moment. Accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, the musician begins to play “Blaze”. Time seems to freeze, punctuated only by the lyrics and his vocal performance. The wolfmen are both fiery and dreamy!
After these magical moments, it’s time to kick off the second half of the night! The craziness picks up again with three punchier and more rock-driven tracks than before. The mosh pits return as the floor sways to the rhythm of the crowd’s jumps. Thousands of claws fill the audience, chanting the lyrics, pouring heart and soul into their role as the sixth member. MAN WITH A MISSION takes the microphone one last time to thank their audience, confessing that it’s always a pleasure to perform on the old continent. The crowd responds in unison as the band introduces the next track, dedicated to a city that many may dream of tonight: Tokyo! “Dead End in Tokyo” kicks off, gripping the entire audience with its blend of guitar riffs and more traditional tones that mirror the duality of the megalopolis, taking everyone on an instant journey to the other side of the planet.
Despite everyone’s desire to make this moment last forever, MAN WITH A MISSION announces the final song. The disappointment is quickly overshadowed by the opening notes of “Kizuna no Kiseki”, the opening theme of the third season of Demon Slayer. Cheers rise as fans sing the lyrics in unison, overpowering the vocalist. The concert reaches its climax, a moment of communion between fans and musicians. As the last notes fade, the band leaves the stage, and another video begins. In contrast to the first one, this sequence announces the upcoming release of a special project for MAN WITH A MISSION, which will be translated into six languages, including French! The news eclipses the disappointment of the concert’s end as the five musicians return to perform the final two tracks of the evening, including the iconic “FLY AGAIN”! A true anthem, the song closes the night, hinting at the band’s return soon, as part of the promotion for their new project.
Navigating between recent tracks and iconic songs, MAN WITH A MISSION, as usual, explored their entire discography to deliver an unforgettable show to their audience. A true pillar of the Japanese music scene, the band remains one of the few able to boast of performing in Europe every twelve to eighteen months while selling out every show. Their well-deserved and growing popularity could continue to rise alongside the success of anime and their theme songs. Let’s hope that MAN WITH A MISSION’s future performances and releases win over even more fans!
The entire KARAOME team would like to thank MAN WITH A MISSION, its management and Hirokazu Tanaka for making this article possible.
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