LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: ONE OK ROCK AT THE O2 ARENA, LONDON 15/10/25
Full photo gallery here
Japanese rock giants ONE OK ROCK made their long-awaited debut at London’s O2 Arena for one night only with a high-octane, emotionally charged performance, showcasing their evolution into a powerful arena rock force. After two decades in the global rock scene, the outfit leaned heavily into their legacy, balancing longtime favourites with hard-hitting new material from their latest album DETOX, for a night of both nostalgia and reaffirmation of their present-day power.
The night kicked off with support from Paledusk, the genre-hopping powerhouse from Japan who wasted no time turning the arena into a war zone of heavy riffs and chaos-core. Entering to Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’, they matched the intensity from the first beat. By the second song, hands were already swaying in sync, and lead vocalist Kaito had the crowd clapping, moshing, and fully locked in.
“Arigato London!” he shouted, beaming. “We are Paledusk, all the way from Fukuoka, Japan!” After ten years, this felt like their long-awaited moment, and they made sure no one forgot it. “Don’t be shy, lose your fucking mind!” Kaito yelled before diving directly into a circle pit he’d just summoned. It was a 30-minute explosive set that proved exactly why they’re one of Japan’s most exciting exports.
When ONE OK ROCK finally took the stage, it was with a cinematic bang. Towering LED screens lit up with visuals telling a dystopian story of a fungal invasion and an AI god controlling the narrative - a bold metaphor mirroring the themes of their latest album DETOX - before the quartet arrived and played the opening notes of ‘Puppets Can’t Control You’.
‘The Beginning’ and ‘Save Yourself’ followed, ONE OK ROCK immediately unleashing a wave of energy and igniting the crowd into a frenzy.
“I know this place is legendary,” frontman Taka Moriuchi told the crowd. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years, so tonight... show me what you got!”
From the sensual swagger of ‘Nasty’, complete with slick guitar solos by guitarist Toru Yamashita, to the anthemic power of ‘Renegades’, where the crowd provided beautiful harmonies on the chorus, the set was a masterclass in showmanship. On ‘Party’s Over’, the energy was electric, while ‘Tiny Pieces’ brought flashlights across the arena in one of the night's most intimate moments.
‘‘First time playing The O2!” Taka exclaimed, clearly emotional. The band marked their 20th anniversary with gratitude, humility, and humour. “I love crumpets, I love Greggs, and I love you London, thank you so much!” joked drummer Tomoya Kanki, earning huge laughs and even louder cheers.
During ‘Make It Out Alive’, the band stirred up a circle pit, and in a rhythm-section interlude, the bass (played by Ryota Kohama), guitar and drums took centre stage with individual solos, showcasing just how tight and technically sharp the band can be.
Fans were treated to a special moment when Paledusk returned for a guest appearance on ‘C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y’, injecting another dose of chaos and joy. Taka, ever the showman, blew kisses during ‘Dystopia’, clearly feeding off the crowd's energy, especially when someone handed him a Union Jack flag for his mic stand.
Between the massive hooks and flawless production, ONE OK ROCK weren’t afraid to get serious. Taka addressed the political themes running through the new record, stressing the importance of using their voice to talk about real issues: a bold move for a band playing to a massive crowd, and one that only deepened their connection with fans.
“You guys are my family,” Taka said. “I feel so much energy from you - it’s crazy.”
From the explosive ‘Stand Out Fit In’ to the emotional ‘Tropical Therapy’, the second half of the set pushed the dynamics even further, culminating in a powerful moment where Taka paused to honour other Japanese artists - like BABYMETAL - who have sold out arenas across the globe, including the O2 Arena last May. “Thank you for respecting Japanese culture and Japanese artists,” he said with heartfelt sincerity.
As the night drew to a close, ‘The Pilot </3’ delivered one of the most vulnerable and vocal-driven moments of the night, a final reminder of Taka’s extraordinary range and emotional depth.
“I don’t want to leave,” he confessed. And judging by the deafening cheers echoing through the O2 Arena, neither did anyone else.
The band returned for the encore with ‘+Matter’ and ‘We Are’, ending the set on a powerful, unifying note - a fitting close to a night that celebrated both resilience and connection.
ONE OK ROCK’s O2 Arena show was a celebration of their 20-year legacy, a masterclass in modern rock performance. With explosive visuals, impressive musicianship, and heartfelt connection with the crowd, they proved why their global fanbase continues to grow.
Words by Florelle Servageon
Photos by Imogen Bird
Full setlist below:
Puppets Can’t Control You
The Beginning
Save Yourself
NASTY
Renegades
Party’s Over
Tiny Pieces
Make It Out Alive
C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y
Dystopia
Delusion: All
Stand Out Fit In
Tropical therapy
The Pilot </3
+Matter
We Are
